Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is the "best player in history" ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona or Pele, according to Julen Lopetegui.
And Messi continues to perform at a high level with Barcelona, despite uncertainty surrounding his future at the Camp Nou beyond the end of the season.
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The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was in fine form on Wednesday as he scored a brace in Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Elche at the Camp Nou.
Messi and Co will return to action today as Sevilla will host Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan for their La Liga clash.
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui, who previously managed Real Madrid, praised Messi ahead of the clash.
"Barca has, without any doubt, the best player in history: Leo Messi," he said.
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Lopetegui was axed as Spain manager in 2018 after news emerged that he would be appointed Madrid boss after the World Cup.
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The 54-year-old Spaniard endured an ill-fated spell at Los Blancos, which included a 5-1 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.
Lopetegui was sacked at Madrid and replaced with Santiago Solari, but he landed back on his feet in 2019 with his appointment as Sevilla head coach.
The former Spain manager found himself in hot water when he was appointed Madrid boss in 2018 after his previous comments on Messi emerged.
When he was asked in 2017 if Messi was the best player of all time, Lopetegui responded: "He's the best player in history, I agree."
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However, Lopetegui made a U-turn on those comments when they were brought up during his press conference when he was unveiled as Madrid head coach.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the player I want by my side always. Obviously, the best in the world is at Real Madrid," he said.
Unfortunately for Lopetegui, Ronaldo left Madrid in the summer of 2018 as the Portuguese superstar completed his sensational £99.2m move to Juventus.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Julen Lopetegui, Sevilla, La Liga