Former Barcelona coach Cesar Luis Menotti believes Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world, while he claims Lionel Messi would not have the talent he does today had he come through the ranks at Real Madrid.
While Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have long battled it out for the tag of the greatest player in modern football, Menotti, who managed Barca between 1983 and 1984, feels Iniesta is more deserving of that title.
"There are some players who we don't talk about how good they are," Menotti told Fox Sports. "A lot of players are talked about, but the best in the world is Iniesta.
"He's a player who can dribble, he can play, set up goals, run and much more, and he's still not been given the Ballon d'Or.
"Maybe it's because he doesn't have the marketing profile or because he speaks quietly... I don't know, but people don't realise how good he is."
Messi is the current holder of the Ballon d'Or, but Menotti believes his fellow Argentine would not be the player he is today had he not played alongside such talents as Iniesta at Barca.
"Messi would not have been the same player if he had played for Real Madrid," Menotti said. "He debuted with Iniesta, Xavi [Hernandez], Ronaldinho.
"Cristiano Ronaldo never had that type of training -- he's always played to be the hero. We're talking about a great player but he works to be a hero and scores 50 goals a season.
"Messi's evolution has been enormous from being a goal-scoring forward to someone who directs play."