Javier Mascherano believes Lionel Messi deserves to be recognised as the best player in the world.
Liverpool midfielder insists Barca man is best
Javier Mascherano believes Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi deserves to be recognised as the best player in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo is Fifa's current World Player of the Year, while the Manchester United winger also won the coveted Ballon d'Or ahead of Messi in 2008.
However, Mascherano expects those positions to be reversed when the next set of awards are handed out.
The Liverpool midfielder feels the scales must be tipped in Messi's favour following his performance in Barcelona's UEFA Champions League final victory over Manchester United.
Barcelona produced a supreme display in Rome on Wednesday, with Messi scoring the second goal in a 2-0 success.
"Not many teams can play a final like Barcelona did," Mascherano told Estudio Futbol.
"They were very faithful to their style and I think that's very important. They are the best team in the world because they have shown that in a final of the Champions League.
"Fifa doesn't have any excuse now for (not) naming Messi as the best player in the world.
"He is going to win the golden ball. He showed his capacity to keep on fighting and after what he did against Manchester United he showed that he is the best."
