Chelsea legend, Joe Cole has picked Lionel Messi as the greatest player in the history of football.
Joe Cole said neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Diego Maradona could be compared with the Argentine World Cup star, insisting they do not come close.
According to the former Chelsea star, the only footballer that could be measured alongside Messi is the late Brazilian icon, Pele.
The former England international noted that Messi’s success with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup has put the debate over the Argentine icon and Ronaldo to bed.
“There’s always a debate. What he has put to bed is the debate about this generation because he’s won it all,” he told BT Sport.
“I’ve never seen a player like him – I think he’s the greatest player of all time; only Pele has a case against him. I think he stands next to him – not Ronaldo or Maradona, above them.”