Riquelme talks up Messi
Juan Roman Riquelme has backed Lionel Messi to become the world's best player.
Juan Roman Riquelme has backed Lionel Messi to become the world's best player, rating the Argentine teenager above Wayne Rooney.Villarreal playmaker Riquelme and Barcelona starlet Messi are set to team up for Argentina at this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
Messi has already established himself as a key figure at Barcelona, despite being just 18-years-old, and will be one of the players to watch at the World Cup.
England ace Rooney is also expected to be among the stars of the tournament, but Riquelme is in no doubt who he would rather have in his team.
While Riquelme has praised the attributes of Rooney, he expects Messi to surpass Ronaldinho as the globe's pre-eminent player.
"I don't think Rooney is as good as Messi," commented Riquelme.
"Messi is in excellent form at the moment and playing some great football. He has a different style to most players.
"I like him a lot and I think he is on the way to becoming the best in the world.
"Wayne Rooney is a very good youngster, but he is not Lionel Messi."
