Messi better than Maradona & Pele, says Galliani

Feb 20, 2013 3:50:00 PM

The AC Milan CEO has revealed his admiration for the Barcelona superstar ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg between the two European giants on Wednesday

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has claimed Lionel Messi has surpassed legendary duo Diego Maradona and Pele as the best player of all time ahead of the his side's Champions League clash with Barcelona.

The Rossoneri host the Blaugrana at San Siro on Wednesday, and the 68-year-old is well aware of the threat the opposition midfield, along with the Argentine, will pose.

"It will be a great event, a great game. It is beautiful to be in a position to be a part of this game," he told reporters.

"We’ll be up against the best side in the world. Look at their midfield - it’s the one with which Spain won the World Cup and European Championship.

"[Plus], Messi is the best player of all time. He is even better than Diego Maradona and Pele."

Galliani went on to acknowledge that the Catalans are heavy favourites going into the tie, but stressed that his side are intent on causing an upset.

"I won’t make any prediction as I can’t see into the future, but we believe," he added.

"Barca are favourites, but the favourites don’t always win."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Siena 1-2 AC Milan
Goal was on hand to judge all the players as Allegri's men finished third in Serie A and secured a Champions League berth next season
Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
Goal rates the players on show as the newly-crowned Liga champions cruised past the challenge of Miroslav Djukic's men to keep up hopes of reaching 100 points
Arsenal hold their nerve in top-four battle
Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical performance to secure a top-four Premier League finish but now they must kick on if they wish to challenge for honours next year
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point