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President of Argentina, Javier Milei, has praised Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer he’s ever seen, calling the Inter Miami star a “superlative player” and the best of all time.
Speaking on the Nuera podcast, Milei expressed unwavering admiration for Messi, saying he supported him even when many in the Argentine media criticized the former Barcelona captain.
“I’ve never seen anyone play like him,” Milei said. “He’s just on another level. Even when the local press was attacking him, I stood by him and called him the greatest.”
While many Argentines still consider Diego Maradona the country’s football legend, Milei’s comments may stir debate among fans.
Messi has faced heavy criticism in the past for not winning with the national team, especially after painful losses in the 2014 World Cup final and two Copa America finals. He even briefly retired from international football in 2016.
However, his comeback story is remarkable. He led Argentina to win the Copa America in 2021, followed by the 2022 Finalissima and the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In 2024, he added another Copa America title, further securing his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history.