MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 09:18:35| >> :60:569:569:

Jamie Carragher: 'Lionel Messi is the best player of all time'

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher hails Barcelona star Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has declared Barcelona star Lionel Messi to be the greatest player of all time.

The Argentina international became the all-time leading scorer in Champions League history with two goals for Barca as they beat Bayern Munich 3-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Messi's tally now stands at 77 in Europe's elite competition, and former Liverpool defender Carragher believes that the South America is the best ever.

He told the Daily Mail: "It was a privilege to be in the Nou Camp on Wednesday and when Messi scored that magical second goal to flatten Bayern Munich, the reaction in the Sky studio was as frenzied as the Catalans who surrounded us; we were all out of our seats, shouting, screaming and acclaiming his genius.

"The job of facing the 27-year-old, who is now scoring 50 or 60 goals a season from his free role, however, is now the most difficult in football, as the unfortunate Jerome Boateng found out to his cost on Wednesday.

"Quite simply, Messi has been the greatest player in the best club team we have ever seen. How many years will we have to wait to see another like him?"

Messi has scored 53 goals this season.

ID:221784: cacheID:221784:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2388:
Written by
Paul Gorst
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs FC Bayern Muenchen at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 6, 2015
Read Next:
Boateng mocked on Wikipedia page
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid17114237162137
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!