Lionel Messi has a strong understanding of what separates the very best players from the rest, and his eight Ballon d’Or titles underline that better than most. Across more than two decades as a professional, he has faced plenty of England’s biggest football names. However, it is not Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane or Ashley Cole who the Argentine regards as the country’s finest ever talent.

Instead, Messi – one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game – chose Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard as England’s “greatest ever player.”

Back in 2016, the Argentine superstar was discussing the Liverpool legend shortly after his retirement. He made it clear just how much he admired the midfielder, wishing him “a happy retirement” and saying:

“Personally, I think [Steven] Gerrard is England’s greatest-ever player.”

Although he was not specifically weighing in on the famous Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes debate involving three of England’s most celebrated midfielders, Messi’s comments still make his preference for the Liverpool star over his former international teammates pretty clear.

The former Reds captain has a glittering list of individual honours to his name, having been selected in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times and included in the FIFPRO World 11 on three separate occasions. That is the second-highest tally of any Englishman, behind only Chelsea great John Terry, who made the side five times. Gerrard was also named alongside Messi in UEFA’s “Team of the Century”, standing as the only English player included and one of just two members of the XI not to have represented either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Gerrard Feared Messi

Gerrard, meanwhile, named Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the only two players he was ever “afraid” to play against. The pair met just twice during their long careers, facing one another in both legs of the 2006/07 Champions League last-16 tie. Liverpool progressed on that occasion, eliminating the Catalan giants on away goals after a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou and a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. Messi did not find the net in either match.

Messi endured a similar outcome on his only other visit to Anfield, when Liverpool memorably wiped out a three-goal first-leg deficit in the 2019 Champions League semifinal to send Barcelona crashing out. The Merseyside outfit appeared to be among the few clubs capable of getting the better of Messi’s star-packed Barca sides.

Messi yet to Face England

Jay Biggerstaff (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Against English clubs outside of Liverpool, the Inter Miami star generally had little trouble leaving his mark, producing 27 goals and seven assists in 36 matches against Premier League opposition. What stands out is that, even with relatively few direct meetings against Gerrard, Messi still selected the Liverpool man as England’s greatest. He shared a pitch with Frank Lampard on nine occasions and came up against Paul Scholes four times.

For all his admiration of Gerrard, Messi has surprisingly never faced England on the international stage. Argentina have not played the Three Lions at senior level since David Beckham’s penalty earned Sven Goran Erikson’s team a 1-0 victory at the 2002 World Cup. That match came three full years before Messi made his international debut. Their paths may yet finally cross at the 2026 World Cup in North America. “`

Manchester United are set to miss out on a deal for a midfielder this summer, as Mundo Deportivo claims that one target has rejected an exit from his club.

It comes as the Red Devils are considering their options in the central areas, with as many as three signings expected in the middle of the park in the coming weeks of the transfer window.

Ederson is set to join from Atalanta as the first signing in that position, but the other two options remain open, as Man United position themselves for some impressive players.

Mateus Fernandes has been a key target, along with Sandro Tonali, but there is a battle for the pair as Premier League rivals Tottenham have muscled their way into discussions for the midfield duo.

However, there are other options being assessed, though one of those now appears to be off the cards.

Marc Bernal Rejects Barcelona Exit

Manchester United have been among a whole group of teams monitoring a potential move for Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The 19-year-old, who has been described as a “special” talent, has impressed since making his breakthrough into the senior team from La Masia.

The midfielder has shown plenty of potential, making 33 appearances over the past season for the Blaugrana, which has caught the attention of the Red Devils.

That said, a deal looks almost impossible now, as the report claims that Bernal has fully committed his future to Barcelona and has rejected the motion of an exit.

The youngster has a €500 million release clause in his deal, which runs until 2029, meaning any move is unlikely to be completed for him in the near future.

It may leave Man United rocked, with another midfield option taken away from them, albeit one who is likely to be a long-term option for the club.

It shows how tough the market is for the stars in the central areas, as the merry-go-round continues.

Man United’s Future-Proofing Plan

via Reuters

In the past, Man United have been caught in awkward situations by landing players who are in the latter part of their career. It has tied them down to expensive options without the longevity that comes with having a younger star.

This summer’s approach has certainly shifted away from that, with Fernandes still only 21 years old, while even Tonali is at the start of his peak at just 26 years old.

Throwing either alongside the likes of Kobbie Mainoo could create a pairing that will serve Man United for years to come. That strategy is clearly underlined in the club’s interest in a youngster like Bernal.

There is a long-term plan that the Red Devils have planned out. There is some hope that once all the pieces fall into place, there will be no need to change the central areas, and future windows can focus on adding quality elsewhere.

When asked about the women’s GOAT of tennis, you would imagine many picking Serena Williams, but not Boris Becker.

With the most female Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era at 23, Williams isn’t just in the discussion when it comes to the GOAT of female tennis players, she is also up there as one of the best tennis players, male or female.

With 836 wins compared to 155 losses throughout her career, anyone coming up against her would feel threatened.

The former world number one tennis player, Becker, does not see these achievements as enough to make her the greatest of all time in the women’s game, though.

Boris Becker Snubs Serena Williams & Reveals His Women’s GOAT

Annegret Hilse via Reuters

Eurosport Germany had the chance to ask Becker about who he believes is the best female and male players to grace the court.

His male pick was not the most surprising, with Novak Djokovic taking the title. The Serbian has won one more Grand Slam singles title than Williams, with 24 to his name, so with that you might have then thought that he would go for the American with her impressive tally as well, but he did not.

Who you might be wondering has taken his top spot. Is it Martina Navratilova? No. Could it be Chris Evert? Not quite. His vote went to German Steffi Graf.

Graf achieved 22 singles titles during her career, seven of those happening at Wimbledon. One way to compare these two greats of the female game is through win percentage, with Graf finishing her career at a crazy 91.4%. Williams finished at a slightly lower 86.8%. Maybe this is one of the factors Becker took into account when deciding on who he believes to be the greatest.

Graf also takes the crown when it comes to the number of weeks ranked as the world number one, with a staggering 377 weeks under her belt.

Due to injuries, Graf had to cut her career short, retiring at 30 years old. Who knows where the now 57-year-old’s career could have taken her if she’d been able to stay in the game a bit longer.

Despite many expecting Williams to get the title from Becker, if you look further back in history, there have been many dominant and impressive female tennis players that also deserve to be held in the same high esteem that Williams is in.

What we do know, though, is that everyone will have a different opinion when it comes to the GOAT of female tennis. Some may say Graf, some may say Williams, and some may go for another incredibly successful lady.