‘Lionel Messi is an ET!’ - Inter Miami star still getting ‘better’ as Ganso hails extraterrestrial qualities of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner

The Argentine superstar is now 36 years of age, but he has lost none of his ability to amaze and inspire. He has been thrilling audiences around the world for almost 20 years, with a record-breaking collection of honours picked up along the way.

Messi is in contention for an eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 – having inspired his country to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022 – and has made an immediate impact in the United States since leaving European football at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to go chasing the American dream at Inter Miami.

Ganso is among those that consider Messi to be superhuman, with the Brazil international midfielder having come up against the South American icon at the Club World Cup several years ago.

Quizzed by FIFA’s official website on whether the Barca side that Santos faced that day is better than the Manchester City one that won a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble last season, Ganso said: “Barcelona. This City side is outstanding, but Barcelona had a fantastic XI and an ET, the genius of world football. He’s simply a genius. You can’t help but admire him. That was in 2011. You look at him now, how he has evolved, and it’s difficult to believe. He seems to get better and better every year. It was a privilege to see Messi play up close. Like I said, Messi is an ET.”

Messi helped Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in the United States, while also earning them a shot at U.S. Open Cup glory – before having to sit out the final of that competition through injury. He is now hoping to see them into the MLS play-offs, with more silverware still in his sights.