'Leo is the best' - Angel Di Maria insists Messi is superior to former team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Wayne Rooney

Paris Saint-Germain winger, Angel Di Maria has declared that his fellow Argentina team-mate and Barcelona icon, Lionel Messi is the greatest player on the planet.

The 31-year-old Argentine won the Champions League, La Liga, and two Copa del Rey trophies during four seasons at Real Madrid, where he partnered Cristiano Ronaldo.

He also played alongside England’s all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney at Manchester United.

After his move to Paris Saint-Germain, Di Maria became teammates with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he has now insisted that his fellow countryman Messi is the best player on the planet.

‘It was a dream to have the possibility to play with (Wayne) Rooney, (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, Cristiano (Ronaldo), Leo (Messi)… they were players that I used on the PlayStation and I would never have imagined I’d get to play with them,’ Di Maria told TyC Sports.

‘I used to watch them and then to have the opportunity to play with them was really nice.

‘Leo is the best of the four, Cristiano is a monster and Neymar is simply a joy for football. He’s Brazilian and when he plays all he does is have fun.

‘Ibra is crazy, a total character. On the pitch he might seem like a bad guy but he is awesome, a really good guy. I got along with him very well when he was here.

‘Rooney is a quiet guy. I never thought he would be as strong as he is. With all the great players I have played with, it’s hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be Leo.’

Di Maria also tipped current PSG colleague Kylian Mbappe to European football’s most prestigious individual prize.

‘Mbappe is a little animal,’ Di Maria said. ‘He has a great mentality. He’s a good boy, always calm, and plays at a high level. Even with everything he has done, he can do more. If he continues with the mentality he has, I know that he will win the Ballon d’Or.’