Messi reveals SHOCK 'best in the world' defender

Stuart Telford

• 8 Sept 2023 17:58 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has played with and against some of the best defenders in the history of the game, but the Barcelona legend - now of Inter Miami - thinks Christian Romero is the current top dog.

The record seven-time Ballon d'Or winner swapped Paris Saint-Germain for David Beckham's Floridian project in July, and has since tallied 11 goals and five assists from his 11 games in all competitions.

He is currently on international duty with Argentina, and helped the world champions to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Friday.

READ: Lionel Messi: 'I NEVER wanted to join PSG'

Messi got the only goal of the game at River Plate's Estadio Monumental - his record-extending 104th for his country - but he reserved his praise for Tottenham Hotspur's Romero, who helped the Albiceleste keep a clean sheet at the other end.

Messi's high praise for Romero

"For me, he's the best defender in the world right now," he said after the game. "Amazing performance tonight, man of the match."

Tottenham have had a bright start to the season under Ange Postecoglou, with Romero and Micky van de Ven - a summer arrival from Wolfsburg - forming a central defensive partnership that has helped the North London club into second behind champions Manchester City.

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Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul is in agreement with Messi about their compatriot.

"Today, 'Cuti' Romero is up to being the best central defender in the world," he said. "Having him behind is the best thing that can happen to me because he always forces me to go forward as he always wants to be one on one against the opponent."

Manchester United and Barcelona were reportedly also interested in Romero before he joined Spurs from Atalanta for €50 million last summer. He is now valued at €40.9 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm - but that could increase if keeps up his early season performances.