Messi still the best in the world: Carles Puyol

SECOND BEST: Lionel Messi came second in the European Footballer of the Year announcement.

ibnlive.com is on mobile now. Read news, watch videos
be a Citizen Journalist. Log on to m.ibnlive.com NOW!

Related Stories

• AC Milan boss Ancelotti praises Ronaldo

• Cristiano Ronaldo lags behind 'genius' Messi: Helb

• Ronaldo nothing compared to Messi: Henry

Top Headlines

Top Videos

Most Popular

• How Satyam pulled off India's biggest fraud 

• Satyam employees on the job, approach head hunters 

• Raju in Hyderabad, won't flee: lawyer | BSE to drop Satyam 

• Satyam CFO quits | 8 subsidiaries under scanner 

• Promising start by Pakistan, but need more: US  

• Indefinite strike by oil PSUs leave petrol pumps dry  

• Prime accused in Guwahati serial blasts shot dead 

• Pak agencies okayed Kasab confirmation: Sacked NSA 

• Watch: Pranab indicates Rahul ready to be next PM 

• Sanjay Dutt to fight Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow 

• Satyam's Interim CEO reassures worried employees 

• Sacked Pak NSA reiterates Kasab's a Pakistani 

• PM says terrorists can't destabilise India 

• Satyam fiasco could affect Hyd metro rail project  

• Rampant criminal activities make Noida insecure  

• Company didn't know of Raju's fraud: CEO 

• Indian offensive pays off, Kasab is a Pakistani 

• BJP avoids Advani vs Shekhawat battle before polls 

• Slumdog Millionaire's Indian connection 

• I need to win a tournament in Europe: Jyoti Randhawa 

• Company didn't know of Raju's fraud: CEO 

• Where is Ramalinga Raju? | Satyam faces lawsuit in US 

• Satyam assures clients, says 'business as usual' 

• Satyam faces lawsuit in New York court 

• Satyam CFO quits | 8 subsidiaries under scanner 

• Raju in Hyderabad, won't flee: lawyer | BSE to drop Satyam 

• Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren loses Tamar by-poll 

• IOC warns of petrol, LPG shortage as strike continues 

• Mumbai-like attack could happen in US: Bush aide 

• Sanjay Dutt to fight Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow 

Photogallery

Find us on Facebook | Join IBNLive community

Stay ahead with G-Talk Buddy | Click now!

New Delhi: Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has maintained that his teammate, Lionel Messi remains the best player in the world despite failing to snap up the Ballon d’Or.

Argentine sensation Lionel Messi only managed to secure the Silver Ball in Monday night’s European Footballer of the Year announcement, comprehensively beaten to the coveted Golden Ball by Cristiano Ronaldo.

As the debate rages on about who really is the best player at present, Barca’s captain and defender Carles Puyol has thrown his support behind his teammate.

"I congratulate Ronaldo for winning, but for me, Messi is the best player in the world," he said during a promotional outing.

"I enjoy watching him every day, just like how all the fans enjoy watching him play," added Puyol.

The 31-year-old versatile defender then turned his attention to Barcelona’s upcoming games, including the titanic tussle with eternal enemies, Real Madrid in less than two weeks’ time.

"We must take full advantage of the form that we are in now because things can change very quickly in football. But we mustn’t think about the game against Real Madrid. If we do, then we are sure to lose our next match [against Valencia]. We have to take things one day at a time," he concluded.

More from Goal.com
Ballon d’Or: The Nevermen of the Golden Ball
Calcio debate: Who should be Juve's first choice – Trezeguet or Amauri?
Serie A team of the week: Round 14