Txiki: 'Priceless' Messi Going Nowhere

Speaking in an interview for the Spanish ‘Sport’ website, the former Barcelona, Deportivo and Real Sociedad player said the Argentine international simply has ability that stretches beyond monetary worth.

“He is priceless,” The 44-year-old said.

“There are a series of players in world football who are untouchable. Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, Manchester United wouldn’t let him go to Madrid. Milan would not sell Kaka. Right now, in Messi, Barcelona has the best soccer player on planet Earth.”

His praise of the young starlet did not end there. Begiristain went to predict a plethora of team and individual awards to come.

He continued, “I see him helping Barcelona to many titles, and winning not one but several golden balls (Balon D’or). There is nobody like him, especially in one-on-one situations.”

But is he better than Maradona?

“We have seen the full career of Maradona. With Lionel, we have only seen three years of his career, but he has the potential to win so much,” continued Txiki Begiristan.

“We must make sure we protect him physically, because he has a history of injuries that means we must look after him.”

Messi is the hot favourite to win his first Balon d’Or title at the ceremony in December.


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