Messi would have become great anywhere, says former Barcelona VP.

The current Manchester City CEO has hailed the Blaugrana's treatment of the forward, but believes the Argentina international would have become a star at any club

Lionel Messi would have developed into a world-class player at any club, according to former Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano.

The prolific attacker joined the Barca youth academy at the tender age of 11 and has since developed into one of the best players the game has ever seen, winning four Ballons d'Or up till date.

"Messi is an extraordinary talent, pretty much unmatched. He would have developed into a great at any team," the current Manchester City CEO told La Nacion.

Perez: Best in the world Ronaldo(Compared to Messi) wants to stay in Real Madrid...(What do u think?)

The club’s president says the Portuguese superstar is better than Lionel Messi and is adamant the player wants to extend his contract at the Bernabeu for many years to come.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and is completely committed to signing a new contract atReal Madrid, according to Florentino Perez.

The Blancos president attempted to quell speculation linking the former Manchester United star with a summer exit and insisted he was the world’s top star even when taking Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi into account.

Ronaldo’s contract at the club expires in the summer of 2015 and while reports had suggested he was not keen on a renewal, Perez insists this is far from the case.

Argentina Prays for Messi to be Fit

Argentina travel to Ecuador for their latest 2014 World Cup qualifier with a big doubt hanging over the head of star striker Lionel Messi.

A victory would all but assure the twice world champions' place at next year's showpiece in neighbours Brazil but without Messi, Argentina are not the same animal.

They may lead the qualifying standings by five points from Colombia after the pair's draw in Buenos Aires on Friday but that match showed just how important the Barcelona great is to the team.

Messi played only the last half hour of an uninspiring match and afterwards his club and country teammate Javier Mascherano admitted the team isn't the same without him.

"Obviously if everyone was thinking that we wouldn't notice his absence, they were mistaken. There's a reason he's the best player in the world," said Mascherano.