Messi's the best footballer in history: Barcelona chief

New Delhi: It is a debate that will probably never end – who is the greatest footballer of all time? Pele or Maradona?

Neither, according to Barcelona President Joan Laporta, who insists that 22-year old Lionel Messi has already proven himself to be the best player ever to pull on a pair of boots.

Goal.com Spain reports that, in a recent interview, Laporta was asked to choose between Pele, Maradona and also Zinedine Zidane, but he answered bluntly, "(Lionel) Messi is the best in history."

Laporta also fielded questions on the future of forward Samuel Eto’o, with speculation intensifying that Manchester City have launched a monster bid for the Cameroon international.

"He (Eto’o) wants to stay, but an offer like that (from Manchester City) is very difficult to refuse," admitted the 46-year-old lawyer. Txiki (Begiristain) is who should make this decision," he said,

Finally, Laporta added that the club may have cooled their interest in

Deportivo La Coruna full-back Filipe, after his club placed a huge transfer fee on his head.

Coach Pep Guardiola had pinpointed the left-sided player as cover for Eric Abidal, but Laporta appeared to draw the curtains on the deal.

"We have made a sensible offer, but if (Augusto Cesar) Lendoiro speaks of €20m, then he is out of our market," concluded the Barcelona man.

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