Lionel Messi lauds PSG midfielder Marco Verratti as a phenomenon, compares him with Iniesta

Lionel Messi have lauded PSG midfielder Marco Verratti as a phenomenon. He compared him with Iniesta, revealing that Barcelona wanted him.

Paris Saint Germain Marco Verratti
Paris Saint Germain Marco Verratti - IMAGO / RHR-Foto

Messi, who has been recently unveiled as a PSG player, was full of praise for the Italian Euro 2020 winner Marco Verratti.

Lionel Messi has heaped praises on his new PSG teammate Marco Verratti, calling him one of the best midfielders in the world.

The Argentine has been recently unveiled as the player of Paris Saint-Germain after parting ways with Barcelona. In his first press conference, he was quizzed about Verratti and the Argentine replied that Italian playmaker is a phenomenon.

Messi, who has penned a contract until 2023 with Les Parisiens, also revealed that Verratti was a prime target of Barca.

The 34-year-old said: “Marco Verratti has shown that he is a huge player, one of the best in the world in his position. He is a phenomenon.

“He was wanted in Barcelona, but now it is the reverse and it is me coming to him in Paris.

“Not only Marco, but the dressing room is full of the best players in the world.”

Furthermore, Messi nodded his head when he was asked whether Verratti is as good as Andres Iniesta.

Verratti, 28, has been one of the key figures for Paris Saint-Germain dominating Ligue 1 over the years.

His presence was also immensely felt during the Italian national team’s triumph in Euro 2020.

Messi has had the luxury of playing with the world’s finest midfielders including the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets and now he will be joining hands with Verratti, another equally talented and arguably one of the best central midfielders in the world at present.