'Messi is the best in the world', say NBA stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
The United States basketball team are in Europe for the Olympic Games and the pair have admitted that they are in awe of Barcelona's triple Ballon d'Or winner
By Gareth McKnight
Jul 21, 2012 10:57:00 AM
Lionel Messi, Barcelona training
The United States basketball stars are in Europe for the London Olympic Games, and were full of superlatives when asked to describe the Argentina international.
"Messi is the best player in the world. And, if he is not already, he will be the best player of all time,” James said in an interview with EFE.
"Messi is the best ... the best!” Bryant agreed.
“Once I had the opportunity to see a Barcelona training session and I really enjoyed it.”
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award three times in a row, and is widely expected to be a front-runner again for 2012.