Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his belief that Lionel Messi is the “best player in the world” ahead of Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.
There is reportedly an element of rivalry between the two superstars at the Parc des Princes relating to the status of Neymar at the club while multiple reports last season outlined the depth of the dressing room split at the French club.
Pochettino has subsequently departed the Parisian club, with the former Tottenham boss was replaced by Christophe Galtier. The Argentine led PSG to the Coupe de France during his first half-season in the 2020/21 and followed that up by winning the first league title of his managerial career last season, but it was not enough to make up for the team's European failure – as they exited in the Round of 16 against Real Madrid after tossing away a 2-0 aggregate lead.
The coach is no longer contracted to PSG and has now given a wide-ranging interview to Infobae where he has opened up on multiple topics relating to the players and the dressing room he managed. Pochettino avoided becoming embroiled in any controversial topics and played down any suggestions of a split within the club.
When asked to discuss the importance of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, Pochettino was unequivocal in his stance that his fellow Argentine remained the best player in the world. That is despite Messi netting just six Ligue 1 goals for Les Parisiens, amid multiple concerns that he was not being utilised correctly by Pochettino at the club.
The boss reiterated: “For me Leo Messi is the best in the world. There is no doubt. Afterwards it is clear that Mbappe is a candidate to be able to receive that title. There is also Neymar, who for me is also one of the best players in the world.”
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Pochettino continued on Messi, ahead of this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar: “He is physically at his best and I think that age is something anecdotal. I think he has the energy and ability to lead the team and to reach the World Cup in optimal conditions. I am lucky, thanks to football, for having lived so many moments with Leo in this period.”
Despite Pochettino’s insistence on the status of Messi as the world’s best player, it was Mbappe who proved to be the most significant player for his PSG side last season – bagging 39 goals across all competitions for the team.
Mbappe opted to sign a three-year contract extension with the Ligue 1 champions earlier this summer, with reports claiming that the striker would hold great sway in the club’s sporting decisions as part of the agreement to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes.
