John Stones is only 28 but he has enjoyed quite the career. Since making his Premier League debut at Everton in 2013 and then moving to Manchester City three years later, the centre-back has won almost all there is to win and has appeared in finals of the Champions League and European Championship, while he's also made an appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
Along the way he has played with and against some of the best players to ever play the game. But for England international there is one opponent who ranks above the rest, and that's Lionel Messi.
Stones named the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner as his toughest opponent, even if the Argentine wasn't at his best when he faced him in the Champions League in 2016.
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"On the day he didn't really play up to his usual standards but being a fan of him and watching his movement, watching what he did with the ball was incredible really," Stones told GOAL.
"Trying to see how I could use that for different players or different scenarios as well."
Messi and Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup game, while England saw off Iran 6-2. If England win their group and Argentina finish second in theirs, the pair could meet in the quarter-finals.
When it comes to players he's lined up alongside, Stones really is spoilt for choice. Ultimately, though, the defender couldn't look past City legend David Silva, who Stones played with between 2016 and 2020.
"David Silva has to be up there with the best player (he's played with)," he said. "He just made everything look so easy. The way he moves with the ball, passes, just silky."
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