Del Bosque: Messi is the best, full stop

Jan 16, 2013 9:35:00 PM

The Spain coach has claimed the Argentine sensation would be a huge success in any side in the world, and highlighted Brazil as the favourites for World Cup 2014

Vicente del Bosque has heaped praise on Lionel Messi, stating that the Barcelona star would be great wherever he played.

The Argentina attacker scooped his fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or prize at the beginning of the month after a record-breaking year with the Liga leaders, and the Spain coach believes he would be a sensation in any side in the world.

In an interview with the Spanish Football Federation, Del Bosque said: “Messi is the guy playing in the street, the one who fools everyone. He’d do great everywhere, whoever was playing at his side. He’s brilliant, period."

Del Bosque, who was named Coach of the Year 2012 at the Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich following La Roja's successful Euro 2012 campaign, went on to highlight host nation Brazil as the main threat to his side's World Cup crown in 2014.

"I think that the local factor has less influence now than in the past but, undoubtedly, Brazil are the major threat," he added.