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Lionel Messi: Sevilla star makes bold Cristiano Ronaldo claim ahead of Copa del Rey final
SEVILLA defender Gabriel Mercado has weighed in on the ongoing debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as to who is the best player in the world.
Messi scores sensational goals in Barcelona training
With Real Madrid still involved in the Champions League, Ronaldo could clinch the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time in his career.
The Portuguese is also hoping to lift Europe’s elite competition next month for the fifth time, although Bayern Munich stand in the way of an appearance in Kiev for Los Blancos.
Messi has been instrumental for Barcelona over the past decade.
While the discussion over the world’s best has been a source of constant debate, Mercado, who will face Messi in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday (8.30pm) is in no doubt as to who that accolade goes to.
Lionel Messi is hoping to win the domestic double
He is the best in the world, beyond doubt. He pops up all over the pitch, scores goals, lays them on for his team-mates.
“He [Messi] is the best in the world, beyond doubt,” Mercado told Spanish paper AS.
“He pops up all over the pitch, scores goals, lays them on for his team-mates.
"We're going to have a lot of work to do in defence and we'll have to play to perfection.
Gabriel Mercado thinks Lionel Messi is the best
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"But we are dreaming of winning the cup and nobody's going to take it from us easily."
Messi, who was rested in midweek, is hoping to complete a domestic double with Barca this term.
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