Messi: Dani Alves is the world's best full-back

Posted Tuesday, June 02, 2015 by Goal.com

The Barcelona star also described Xavi as Spain's best-ever player as he looked ahead to the Champions League final against Juventus

Lionel Messi has described his Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves as the best full-back in the world.

The Brazilian defender's future remains shrouded in doubt as he nears the end of his contract at Camp Nou, with the 32-year-old unhappy with the current terms offered by Barca.

Paris Saint-Germain were one of the favourites to land Alves' signature but head coach Laurent Blanc believes it is only a matter of time until he commits to his current club.

And Messi undoubtedly wants the former Sevilla man to stay, claiming he is something of a unique player in the modern game.

"He is the best full-back in the world. It is very difficult nowadays to find someone else like him," Messi told Uefa.com.

Both Dani Alves and Xavi could play their final matches for Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday, with the veteran midfielder departing for Al Sadd in the summer.

"Everyone knows what Xavi is on the pitch," Messi said of his long-time team-mate. "He's a player who dictates tempo, gives you a pass where you want it, reads the game very well.

"It was a pleasure for me to spend so much time alongside him. He's the best player in the history of Spain."

Messi also warned of the threat posed by Juventus in Saturday's meeting in Berlin. The Argentine has scored in his two previous Champions League final appearances - both against Manchester United - and he admits they were two special moments in a remarkable career.

He said: "We suffered a lot to reach the final. Juventus are a great team, they are dangerous.

"The two goals were important for me - very special. The first secured the game at 2-0 and the second came at 2-1, when that match was very equal."