Zidane hails Messi as world's greatest footballer

Former Real Madrid and France star Zinedine Zidane has heralded Leo Messi as the world's greatest player.

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year singled out the diminutive Argentine as the one to watch in this season's Champions League, telling fans to sit back and enjoy the show.

"I think that everyone will say the same things about him," the Frenchman told uefa.com. "You just have to watch him and enjoy the show he is putting on game after game for Barcelona.

"He makes the difference most of the time. In particular, he is always going forwards. He never passes the ball backwards or sideways. He has only one idea, to run towards the goal.

"So as a football fan, just enjoy the show."

Finally, Zidane added that although he was looking forward to watching the Barcelona forward, there was only one team he wanted to see lift the trophy in May.

"I would not bet money on it, but I would love to see Real Madrid win the Champions League. I hope that they will manage to go through, as the final will take place in Madrid."