Barcelona ace Lionel Messi says the Spanish Liga sits alongside the Premiership as the best competition in the world.

Messi is delighted to have won the Ballon d'Or this season and is happy at Barca.

"The Spanish championship is the best together with the Premier League as it's true that teams from these two countries almost always get to the final of the Champions League," Messi explained.

"I would like to live another year like this one. It has been wonderful, but everything will depend on how things go with Barcelona and Argentina.

"I would like to keep winning, hopefully another Ballon d'Or and the World Cup, and to keep growing as a player."

It wasn't long before Messi's name was mentioned in the same breath as his idol Diego Maradona.

"He is the best player of all time. It's already an honour that you compare him with me," Messi said.