Paul Pogba, James Rodriguez and Mario Balotelli all benefit from having “a very good agent”, according to Antonio Cassano, who says the three players are overrated.
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The Manchester United, Real Madrid and Nice stars are all managed by Mino Raiola.
The high-profile agent has helped all three to reach the very top of the game, with some record-breaking transfers raising the respective profiles of all concerned.
Former Italy international Cassano is, however, not convinced that any of the trio are deserving of the standing they hold in the modern game.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Three overrated players? Pogba, James Rodriguez and Balotelli.
“Is Pogba really worth €120m? Not for me, no. Rodriguez €80m? No. If he’s worth that, how much would [Andres] Iniesta have been worth at his age?
“As for Balotelli, I wish the best for Mario and he’s doing pretty well in France but both he and Pogba have had great fortune in life: they’re managed by a very good agent, Mino Raiola.
“He’s given both of them incredible opportunities.
“The three strongest players? Messi is the best. Always. Then Iniesta. Then Xavi along with me. I’m still worth the podium now.”
While on the subject of the world’s best, former Real Madrid and AC Milan forward Cassano admits that the debate between Barcelona icon Lionel Messi and Blancos talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is still too close to call.
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He added: “Messi is [Roger] Federer, Ronaldo is [Rafael] Nadal: two champions with different styles.
“Did you see what Messi did in the Clasico on Sunday? Barcelona are still a team of monsters.”
Cassano, who is now 34 years of age, is currently without a club having parted company with Serie A side Sampdoria in January.