Lionel Messi has dominated soccer over the last 15 years alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentine is regarded by a large section of fans worldwide, as well as several former players, as one of the best ever. A former teammate recently weighed in on his legacy.
Lionel Messi Will Be the Best Until He Retires, Says Former Teammate
At age 38, Messi finished the 2025 MLS season as the league’s top scorer and the player with the most assists. The Inter Miami captain played a key role as the club went on to win the MLS Cup, showing that he still has plenty to offer on the pitch.
He may no longer have the pace that once electrified opponents during his prime, but he continues to display skills that leave players — whether veterans or newcomers — mesmerized and struggling to keep up.
His impressive season with the MLS club and his performances in FIFA World Cup qualifiers have placed him in early Ballon d’Or discussions. There is still a long way to go before the race is decided, but with the World Cup this year, anything is possible.
One former teammate of Messi, David Villa, believes the Argentine remains the best player in the world and will continue to be so until the day he retires. The Spaniard said there is no doubt about it in an interview with El Chiringuito.
“Without a doubt,” Villa said. “By far. I still say that until he retires, Messi will continue to be the best player in the world.”
The former Barcelona and Atlético Madrid striker’s comment comes just days after Real Madrid legend Raul also made a bold claim about the Argentine. He hailed Messi as the greatest player ever — ahead of Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, and others — saying:
“I’ve been fortunate to play with players like Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, (Luis) Figo… but I think Messi is the best, he’s very different. He makes everything look easy, things you see as impossible, he makes them look easy, as if he were playing with his friends in the street.”
The Argentine appears to have at least three seasons of soccer left, having signed a deal with Inter Miami that runs through 2028. He has yet to announce whether he will play in the FIFA World Cup this summer, though he captained the national team during qualifiers.
