Some of the greatest minds in world football talking about Lionel Messi. RT's appreciated. A thread:

Johan Cyuff: Messi is much more a team player than Cristiano is. He scores but also produces many assists. For me, as a player, Messi is better. There is a big difference in being just a great goalscorer and being the best player.

Pep Guardiola: “Messi is just incredible, really strong, really fast. He is the best player of all time.”

"I will always be able to say that I coached Messi. The throne belongs to him and it is only up to him to decide when he leaves it."

Sir Alex Ferguson: Great players can play in any generation. Lionel Messi could play in the 50s 60s, in any generation.

Jose Mourinho: "Messi is Messi. I'm not saying he 'The Special One' of this week because he's 'The Special One' of all time. He is the God of football. We'll cry when he retires." (1/2)

After the 1st leg of Barcelona vs Liverpool Mourinho said: "The God of football made the difference."

On a separate occasion: "Messi, Pele and Maradona are the 3 best players in history" and that Messi was the toughest opponent he ever faces,it was impossible to mark him. (2/2)

Arsene Wenger: “For me he's the best player in the world. By a distance.”

On a separate occasions he was asked who the best player in the world is and who is the best in history. Both questions were answered with "Lionel Messi".

Jurgen Klopp: When asked who the better player between Messi and Ronaldo is: "For me Messi, but I couldn't admire Ronaldo more than I do already."

Carlo Ancelotti: "I think he is a top talent. For this type of player it not enough to have only one player, you need a team to defend against them".

Diego Simeone: Picture below is him reacting to a late Messi winner against his team. After the game he said "Because with a great goal like that, all you can do is applaud." (1/2)

On a separate occasion "Messi is the number one. In recent years there has not been any player who has come close to Messi."

After Messi led Argentina to a victory against Ecuador: “He showed to those that don’t believe that he’s the best player in the world. It’s obvious.”(2/2)

Antonio Conte: “Messi made the difference and, when you have the opportunity to make a compliment to a super player, you should. A player who is able to score 60 goals in every season. We are talking about an extraordinary player, the best in the world."