Former France midfielder and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has described Argentine hero Lionel Messi as pure magic.
Messi clinched a record extending eighth Ballon d’Or and won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar joining the pantheon of World Cup winning legends.
He sealed a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Inter Miami in the summer from French club Paris Saint-Germain.
Former World Cup Zidane and Messi sat down for a joint interview video that was posted on the All About Argentina X handle.
Zidane said there are very few players like Messi.
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“It is just one word magic,” Zidane said.
“Because in the end, what I like, I mean Leo and I are not together everyday, so today is a very important day for me because I can tell him how much I admire him.
“And all the people who like football and these players who are different and I think it is magic, pure magic. Magic in the sense that before receiving the ball, he already knew what needed to be done. And especially for me, as someone who understands football. Watching you on the field I almost knew what you were going to do, you know? It was like a connection.
“But then I see him doing what he, does, I say ‘that’s it’. So that’s what people want to see in football. There are only a few of them. There are a few, but not like him. A few, very few, well just one.”
Zidane also agreed with Messi that scoring in the World Cup final is the best feeling ever.
“I can also answer that for you Leo because you did that recently with Argentina in the final.”
Messi answered back saying the goal in the final was indeed the best.
“That one obviously, that goal was the best. Yes scoring a goal in the World Cup final is the best thing right. Both of us can say that.”
Messi has the record for most appearances in the FIFA World Cup with 26.
He has also won the award for most valuable player in the World Cup two times which is another record.
He has won the most number of trophies in football history (44) with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Argentina.
Argentina are first place in the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series with 12 points from four games.
Messi has three goals in three games in the qualifying series.
