Lionel Messi: 'Judge me when I'm finished'

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has said that his career should be not be judged until it's over.

The Argentinian, who is expected to win his third consecutive Ballon d'Or next week, has been compared to a number of football's all-time greats throughout his career, despite the fact that he is still just 24.

Even so, the La Masia favourite insists that it is still too soon for such comparisons.

"I am only 24 years old," he told Marca. "I have just started. I have so much respect for people who have been great, such as [Alfredo] Di Stefano, Pele or [Diego] Maradona.

"I should be judged when I finish my career because I do not like talking about myself, and I do not plan goals like that."

Messi and Barcelona are at present in second place in La Liga, three points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.