Lionel Messi will go down as one of, if not the, greatest players in the history of the beautiful game.
The Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain, and Inter Miami legend has won eight Ballon d’Ors, more than any other player, as well as four UEFA Champions Leagues during his illustrious career.
On the international stage, he has lifted the FIFA World Cup as well as two Copa Américas.
Any compliment from Messi is high praise indeed, and now the 38-year-old has singled out one Premier League star.
Advert
Emi Martinez has established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in the English top flight in recent years, helping Aston Villa get back into Europe and impressing with his crucial reaction saves.
He has also been a key player for Argentina, playing a massive role in their World Cup triumph in Qatar back in 2022.
The shot stopper helped his side to penalty shootout victories over the Netherlands and France in the quarter-finals and final.
Now, Messi has referred to his international teammate as “The Beast”.
"In the last one, we were lucky that, even though we were the better team in both the Netherlands and France, we had to go to penalties, and there we had the beast that was [Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez] Dibu who made us win,” he said during an interview with ESPN.
“But you can get to penalties and not win.”
Argentina have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Messi is expected to be a key player for Argentina once again.
Martínez was not the only Premier League star that Messi had kind words for.
He called his manager at Barcelona, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, the best in the world during the same interview.
"For me, Guardiola is unique," Messi added.
"There are extraordinarily good coaches, but he has something different. For me, he's the best of all of them. When it comes to seeing things, preparing for matches, and communicating with the players, he's very complete."
Messi continued: "He's the best, and we were lucky to have him at Barcelona. He got together with the players we had, and the right pieces came together for what he intended, to achieve everything that was achieved."
Topics: Argentina, Aston Villa, Emiliano Martinez, Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, Football
Jonathan Bray