Ronald Koeman picks Lionel Messi as the best player in the world, but would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo handed the next Ballon d’Or.
Messi has won the last three editions of the tournament, so former Barcelona defender Koeman believes it is time to let someone else hold the award for 2012.
“Messi is the best player in the world. Cristiano is a great player like Messi and he has long made the difference in Madrid,” mused the 49-year-old.
“Who would I give the Ballon d’Or to? How many has Messi won? Three? Then I would give one to Ronaldo.
“Today Messi is the best player in the world, better than many other players from the past. He is a unique player who can decide results by himself, decide games, for me he is unbelievable.”
The Feyenoord Coach then reflected on his former club’s start under Tito Vilanova.
“With Barca under Tito they look good, generally they are doing very well because the results speak for themselves.
“I think he has followed the same line with a strong team, despite having some injuries too. I think at the moment things are good.”
Jose Mourinho has also left an impression on the tactician.
“His style of play is different to that of Barcelona. Mourinho is a Coach I like a lot, he has succeeded with many teams, has a way of playing, it can be something different from what the club has had previous, but it is recognised as succeeding. His teams always get good results.”
Koeman also had a brief word for Valencia, who he coached briefly in 2007-08.
“I have not seen many of Valencia’s games, things are more or less the same though, they may be a surprise this season, but they cannot be compared to Real Madrid or Barcelona because they are very much inferior to them.”
