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Barcelona star Messi is better than Pele and Maradona – Diouf

Two-time African Footballer of the Year El-Hadji Diouf has picked Barcelona star Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time, ahead of Brazil legend Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona.

Over the years, there has been constant argument about the all-time best footballer with Messi and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo having won the Ballon D'Or five times each.

On Thursday, the Argentina forward was named Uefa's best forward for the 2018-19 season after scoring 51 goals across all competitions, including 12 efforts in the Champions League.

Diouf is convinced by Messi's qualities and skills which he has rated above any football player including himself.