Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, has boldly declared that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time, stating he has never witnessed a player of such caliber.
The Inter Miami star was described by Milei as a “superlative player,” a declaration that may reignite debates among the nation’s football enthusiasts, many of whom still hold the late Diego Maradona in the highest regard as Argentina’s football icon.
During an appearance on the podcast Nuera, President Milei expressed his profound admiration for Messi, revealing that he has been a dedicated supporter throughout Messi’s career, even during moments when media critics targeted the former Barcelona captain.
“I have never in my life seen anyone play like he does,” Milei remarked. “He is a superlative player. I am an ardent fan of Messi. When local media were criticizing him, I was there defending him as the best player of all time.”
Despite facing harsh criticism for not consistently translating his club successes to the national team, Messi’s legacy has only strengthened over the years. He encountered multiple disappointments, including a loss in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and back-to-back Copa America finals defeats to Chile in 2015 and 2016.
In a surprising turn of events, Messi briefly announced his retirement from international football in 2016 but quickly reversed that decision. He ultimately led Argentina to win the Copa America in 2021, marking his first major title with the national team.
Messi continued to shine, securing the Finalissima in 2022 and playing a crucial role in Argentina’s victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, where they clinched their third world title. Most recently, he captured another Copa America title in 2024, further solidifying his place in footballing history as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
