Tuesday, 21st October, 2014
Ajax manager Frank de Boer has revealed that he considers Lionel Messi the “best player in the world”, ahead of his side’s Champions League fixture against Barcelona tonight.
The Argentine international, who is just two goals away from becoming the all-time top goalscorer in La Liga, has scored eight goals and provided 10 assists in 10 games in all competitions for the Catalan giants this season.
And De Boer feels Messi, whom he labelled “a complete player”, is playing a more aggressive brand of football in the current campaign.
The Dutchman further added that apart from the 27-year-old’s ability to score from any position, Ajax have to be also aware of Messi’s goal-providing passes at the Camp Nou.
“Messi's quality is such that he can score from any position”, De Boer told UEFA’s official site.
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“I believe he is playing more aggressively now than last season. He always want to play, he never wants to be substituted.
“It is no accident that he was named the best player in the world on several occasions. It is unbelievable to have set all those records at such a young age.
“For me, he is the best player in the world. Not just because of his goals − he also has made many assists over the last couple of years. A complete player.”
Messi, whose current contract with Barcelona runs until 2018, has thus far scored 362 goals in 435 appearances for the club.
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