Analysis
The quote aligns verbatim with Messi’s recorded remarks in the December 2020 interview with *La Nación*, where he explicitly downplayed being labeled 'the best' and listed iconic players as peers. The interview was widely reported by credible outlets (e.g., *Marca*, *ESPN*), and no retractions or disputes about the quote’s authenticity exist. His humility in this context is consistent with prior public statements about his place in football history.
Background
Messi, often compared to Pelé and Maradona in debates about football’s 'GOAT' (Greatest of All Time), has repeatedly deflected such titles, emphasizing collective achievement and respect for predecessors. The 2020 interview occurred amid his then-potential departure from Barcelona, a period of intense media scrutiny. His mention of these specific players reflects common historical rankings in football discourse.
Verdict summary
Lionel Messi did state in a 2020 *La Nación* interview that he does not consider himself the best, instead naming other legends like Pelé, Maradona, and Cruyff as among football’s greats.