Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi has insisted that he has given no thought to being labelled the greatest player in the history of the game.
The 34-year-old won a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or last week, although the award was not without its controversy as Robert Lewandowski finished second.
Messi has often been lauded for his humble persona off the pitch, and the former Barcelona man has played down talk of being hailed as the best footballer of all time.
Speaking to France Football, Messi said: "I never said, thought, or even tried to come to terms with this idea [of being the greatest].
"For me, just being able to be considered or cited as one of the best players in the world is more than enough. It is something that I would never have dared to imagine or dream of.
"But... I don't know how to put it so that it's not misinterpreted. It's not that I'm not interested in it, but, let's say that I don't not give much importance to all that. It doesn't change anything for me to be the best or not. And I never tried to be either."
Messi has scored four goals in 13 games for PSG since his summer arrival, and the Argentine supposedly harbours doubts over manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Ben Knapton
