Valencia legend Mario Kempes insists Barcelona star Leo Messi is the best in the world.

Indeed, he believes Messi could have an edge on Diego Maradona.

"What's the problem that people have here in Spain with Maradona and Messi? They spend the whole day comparing them", Kempes asked, before adding: "Personally, I put both of them of a pedestal during their respective eras.

"One difference if that while Maradona had no one to rival him during his time, Messi did - first there was Ronaldinho and then there was Cristiano… and in spite of all of that, he continues to be the best, because as it stands today, Messi is the best player in the world."