Lionel Messi names the two best clubs in the world based on 'results' and 'level of play'

Lionel Messi has named the two best teams in world football based on "results" and "level of play" during a fascinating interview with Argentine TV.

The 36-year-old, who will feature at this summer's Copa America in the United States, recently sat down with Infobae at the Le Meridien Hotel, Florida, to speak about a range of subjects.

Argentina will attempt to defend their crown in the coming weeks as they come up against Canada, Chile and Peru in Group A – and Messi is confident about their chances.

"I think that Argentina is always the favourite," he said. "When a championship starts, be it a world championship, Copa America or whatever, Argentina is a candidate just like Brazil."

Messi would later open up on his "relief" at being a world champion following Argentina's win in Qatar, and touched on life in America with MLS side Inter Miami.

But perhaps the biggest talking point was his thoughts on the world's best clubs.

"Real Madrid is the best team in the world, they have won the Champions League. If you go by results, Real Madrid is the best," Messi admitted in the interview.

"If you go by level of the game, I think Manchester City are the best."

He added: "I personally like Guardiola's City. I think that any team where Guardiola is will be special because of the way he is, the way he trains and the way he works. He makes his teams play."

So there we have it. Messi thinks recently-crowned Champions League winners Real Madrid are the best based on results, but when it comes to quality of play, Premier League champions Manchester City are number one.

Image credit: Getty

As mentioned earlier, Messi was asked about his World Cup heroics in 2022, when Argentina beat France on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium.

"I feel relieved to be a world champion, because the debt I owed to my family, my country and all the fans has now been paid," he said. "But life goes on, I want to try and win the Copa America again."

Somewhat surprisingly, Messi added: "I haven't watched the World Cup final back yet."

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