Former Argentina coach Bilardo says Lionel Messi is not among the best of all time
Argentina’s World Cup winning former manager Carlos Bilardo said Lionel Messi is not among the best in history of football. Bilardo was the manager of the Argentina team from 1983 to 1990 and under his guidance, Argentina won the 1986 World Cup while they lost in the finals in 1990.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi won his fifth Ballon d’Or in January and he has continued his stunning form this season. However, Bilardo stated two months ago that he didn’t think Lionel Messi was the best player to grace the game.
Bilardo who is 76 years old and now the general manager of the Argentine national team clarified his views on Messi.
"[Alfredo] Di Stefano was a superman. He could begin a play in his goal and finish it in the other. Then came Pele and [Diego] Maradona," he told Ole.
However, he did admit Messi is the best currently.
"Now it's Messi, but they are different eras.
"I knew Messi would win [the Ballon d'Or], he deserved it. There's quite a difference between him and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I put him among the best, but not in history, just of this moment.
"He's reached his ceiling, he can't win more than he has, but he has the incentive to win the World Cup."
Bilardo says he was the main man behind Messi’s change in position
Bilardo also went on take credit for Messi’s changed position early in his career from the wings to the false 9 position. He said:
"I said to his father 'get him away from there and put him in the middle, where all the best play'. We did that for the national team and then Barcelona did the same,”
The 76-year old also defended Messi’s performances for the national team. He said:
"He's one of the best in the world. He has recognition from the world, from his club, and he should have it here," he added. "I'm not surprised by how he plays, I predicted how important he would be many years ago.
"We have to stop criticising him. He'll get tired of it one day and not come here anymore."
Apart from an Olympic gold medal, Lionel Messi is yet to win a major trophy with the Argentina national team.