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Where are they now? The 5 best players in the world in 2019 according to Lionel Messi

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Estevao copies Neymar's celebration.
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Back in 2019, Lionel Messi named the five players who he believed were the best in the world at that time, but where are all of those stars today?

To make things fair, Messi didn’t include himself in the list and he also chose to omit Cristiano Ronaldo as they were both a level above the competition at the time.

We’ve revisited Messi’s interview with Marca and have checked out where the five players that he named are today.

Eden Hazard

In terms of dribbling and being able to kill a defender with the drop of a shoulder, Hazard is arguably the most similar player to Messi on this list.

Prior to his move to Real Madrid, there was no doubt that the Belgian ranked among the best players on the planet.

“It is very difficult to replace Cristiano, but Hazard is also a great player,” Messi told Marca.

“Hazard has a lot of quality. He is a different football player who can unbalance [defences], but I think he is different to Cristiano, with different characteristics.”

Ultimately, his blockbuster move to the Santiago Bernabeu didn’t go to plan and he ended up hanging up his boots after a four-year stint in Spain.

Since retiring last year, Hazard has kept a relatively low profile, although he has taken part in several charity matches where he showcases the skills that he’s still got.

Sergio Aguero

Around the time Messi named Aguero as one of the best players in the world, the Argentine forward was scoring week in, week out for Manchester City.

He bagged an impressive 32 goals during 2018-19 and helped Pep Guardiola’s side land yet another Premier League title.

While injuries started to take their toll on Aguero during his later years, he still knew how to sniff out the goals on a weekly basis.

Following a short stint with Barcelona, Aguero retired in December 2021 on the advice of doctors.

Nowadays the 36-year-old enjoys life as a content creator and of course, he’s still good mates with Messi.

READ NEXT: Comparing Kylian Mbappe’s record now to Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo at the age of 26

TRY A QUIZ: The Ultimate Lionel Messi Quiz: 30 tough questions to test your knowledge of the GOAT

Luis Suarez

Having enjoyed their peak years playing together at Barcelona, Suarez and Messi are still going strong today for Inter Miami.

The pair combined for 11 goals in MLS last season and their relationship on and off the pitch is still as strong as ever in 2024.

“It is difficult to compare him with all the scorers I have played with,” Messi said during an interview in 2015.

“There have been many. What I can say is that he is the best central striker today.

“He has a lot to offer the team and it’s a pleasure to play alongside him. We have a good relationship even outside the field and I am happy to share everything with him.”

Neymar

The Prince who never became King.

Tipped by many to take over from Messi and Ronaldo as the best player in the world, for one reason or another, that didn’t quite happen for Neymar in the end.

However, it would be wrong to suggest that Neymar hasn’t enjoyed an excellent career. When fully fit, there aren’t many players who have reached Neymar’s level in the last 20 years.

Messi enjoyed a brief reunion with the Brazilian at PSG before they each went their separate ways in 2023.

Having barely kicked a ball since joining Al Hilal, his future is up in the air heading into the summer when he’s set to become a free agent.

READ: 6 fantastic footballers who have grown up idolising Neymar: Rodrygo, Musiala…

Kylian Mbappe

Messi has often spoken fondly of Mbappe, especially when the pair played together at PSG.

Still considered as the best player in the world by some people today, Mbappe is undoubtedly among the best players of his generation.

While it’s taken him some time to find his feet at Real Madrid, there’s a feeling amongst La Liga fans that the Frenchman is now starting to find his top gear.

Having scored five goals in his last seven matches, Mbappe is quickly converting the doubters into believers.

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Argentina’s President Javier Milei shuns Diego Maradona, names Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer of all time

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Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, has declared that he has never seen a footballer play like Lionel Messi, calling the Inter Miami star a “superlative player” and the greatest of all time.

His statement may stir debate among Argentine football fans, many of whom still regard the late Diego Maradona as the nation’s greatest football icon.

Speaking on the podcast Nuera, President Milei expressed deep admiration for Messi, describing himself as a long-time supporter, even during periods when the media harshly criticised the former Barcelona captain.

“I have never in my life seen anyone play like he does,” Milei said. “He is a superlative player. I am a crazy fan of Messi. When all the local media were attacking him, there were videos of me defending him as the best player of all time.”

 

Messi has faced intense scrutiny in the past for his perceived failure to replicate his club success with the Argentine national team. He endured heartbreaking losses, including the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and back-to-back Copa America finals to Chile in 2015 and 2016.

In 2024, he added yet another Copa America title to his illustrious career, further cementing his legacy as one of football’s all-time greats.

In 2016, he briefly retired from international football, only to reverse the decision and lead Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021—his first major title with the national team.

Messi went on to win the 2022 Finalissima and played a pivotal role in Argentina’s triumphant 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, securing the nation’s third world title.
 

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NFF denies owing late Christian Chukwu amid social media claims

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The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has denied reports circulating on social media that it owes former Super Eagles captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, the sum of $128,000.

Chukwu, popularly known as “Chairman,” passed away on Saturday.
NFF, reacting to the claims, on Monday, in a statement by its General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi described the allegations as baseless, stating that there is no record of any outstanding debt to Chukwu within the federation’s financial records.

“During the first term of the Amaju Pinnick-led Board, a committee was established to thoroughly review claims of unpaid wages to coaches, including debts inherited from previous administrations.”

That committee had a clear mandate to verify and ensure the immediate settlement of all legitimate debts. To the best of our knowledge, there is no record of indebtedness to Christian Chukwu,” Sanusi said

Chukwu served as head coach of the Super Eagles from 2002 until 2005, when he was relieved of his duties following a 1-1 draw against Angola in a FIFA World Cup qualifier held in Kano.

Sanusi further challenged anyone with credible and verifiable evidence of any outstanding payments owed to Chukwu or any other national team coach over the past 20 years to present such documents.

“As a responsible and credible organization, the NFF remains committed to meeting its obligations. If anyone can provide authentic documentation proving that we owe a coach, we will honor the debt without hesitation,” he stated.

The NFF expressed its condolences to the family and the Nigerian football community over the loss of Chukwu, a respected figure in the country’s football history and captain of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.

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NPFL: Sunshine Stars coach, Akinfolarin demands more from players after win against Enyimba

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Sunshine Stars head coach, Bobola Akinfolarin has called for improvement from his players after their victory over Enyimba in a matchday 33 encounter.

Sunshine Stars beat Enyimba 2-1 In a keenly contested this at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

Akinfolarin believes the players still need to improve on their physical strength.

He, however, admitted that the team is on the right path.

“We needed this. It gives us a push,” Akinfolarin told Sunshine Stars media.

“We still have work to do, especially on the players’ physical strength, but I believe we are heading in the right direction.”

Sunshine Stars will next travel to Port Harcourt for a matchday 34 clash against Rivers United.

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