Real Madrid icon names Lionel Messi the ‘best footballer in the world and of all time’

Speaking in a Q&A session at the MIP audiovisual fair in London, former Real Madrid superstar David Beckham has hailed Barcelona legend Lionel Messi as the ‘best footballer in the world of all time’.

Messi currently plies his trade in the MLS in the USA, where he plays for Inter Miami, partly owned by Beckham.

The former Real Madrid Galactico had no hesitation in naming the Argentina icon as the greatest ever footballer of all time, as he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo):

“Leo is the best player in the world and also of all time.”

Beckham played at some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with some of the finest footballers and greatest superstars, placed Messi above all others, leaving no room for debate.

Messi to return to Barcelona?

Beckham’s comments come amidst speculations surrounding Messi’s future at Inter Miami.

Earlier today, reports emerged that the former Barcelona captain is considering returning to the Catalan club in the near future – with the news being broken by the same journalist who was the first to report the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s move to the MLS.

Talks of a possible return to Barcelona have been doing the rounds ever since Messi shockingly left the club in the summer of 2021 as a free agent.

A comeback was explored after his contract with PSG expired in 2023, but the move was not possible due to a multitude of reasons.

As long as Messi is an active footballer, rumours and speculations about a potential return to Barcelona – the club of his heart – will continue to do the rounds.

However, the chances of such a move happening at this time are minimal.