Messi magic captivates even football legends

Lionel Messi's arrival in Kolkata for an Argentina friendly against Venezuela has led to a football frenzy in the cricket-mad country. But, it is hardly surprising as the Argentine forward is widely regarded as the best footballer of his generation and his skills have left not just an average fan but even football legends and experts mesmerized. Here are some quotes on Messi from his managers and team-mates, present and past, and other celebrated personalities.

Pep Guardiola, Barcelona manager

"Put in the superlatives yourselves, I'm running out. It's already been a while now that he has been outstanding. He's more than decisive in every way. That he's capable of doing everything that he does at his age is something impressive, that doesn't make any sense.

"The best players are always in the thick of the action. (Michael) Jordan did it with the Bulls, (Kobe) Bryant does it with the Lakers and Leo does it here. We want him to stay with us because he's the best and we wouldn't swap him for anyone."

"Messi is an irreplaceable player, today if he was here we would have won 5-0 but he was not and we had to play another in his place."

Diego Maradona, Argentine football legend

"I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius and he can become an even better player."

"His potential is limitless and I think he's got everything it takes to become Argentina's greatest player."

Frank Rijkaard, Former Barcelona manager

"He's a unique player and he deserves it, because he can do things of almost imperceptible excellence and is a gem to watch."

Johann Cruyff, Football legend who played for Barcelona

"He deserves ten out of ten for doing what he does. He is a sensation, but still he can improve. He must know when to move the ball on quickly and when to try the impossible mission. When he learns this, he won't win a single Golden Ball, but an entire collection."

Carlos Tevez, Argentina and Manchester City striker

"His speed is astonishing. It's amazing how he can go 1 to 100 in just one second. I'm constantly around great players like Cristiano and Rooney, but this guy is just a step up above every other great footballer out there at the moment, Not only is he quick, determined, and extremely intelligent on the ball, but his movement off the ball is just as fantastic - unbelievable to sum it up in a word."

Juan Sebastian Veron, Argentina and Estudiantes midfielder

"I see Maradona every time he grabs the ball and accelerates. We must protect him. I'd personally put him in a drawer of my bedside table."

Julio Grondona, President, Argentine Football Association

"Without Messi there isn't a team for Argentina, Messi is brilliant, different, with a strong mentality. Let's hope he doesn't change."

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager

"The best way to stop Messi is when you play with 11 men and then you can double mark him, one player to stay on him and the other to help out. If it is 11 against 10 then you have almost no chance of stopping him."

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO, Bayern Munich

"Nobody was so wonderful at 19 years, neither Pele nor Maradona."

Fernando Gago, Argentina and AS Roma midfielder

"For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches, Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays."

"Messi is the best player in the world by some way, I always thank God that he is an Argentine, not just as a player, but as a person too. I have known him since I was 18. He is incredible, a very good person and we are very good friends. Right now, he is at another club, and we have a little bit of a rivalry, but the friendship is larger and stronger."

Theirry Henry, New York Red Bulls striker who formerly played for Barcelona

"I have the possibility to watch Messi in training each morning, and because of what he demonstrates he is the best player in the world. It is a pleasure to watch him, and because of the way he plays he is an undisputed leader of the Barcelona team."

Antonio Cassano, AC Milan striker

"Ronaldinho is better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but neither are as good as Leo Messi." (When Ronaldinho was at his peak for Barcelona)

Pele, Brazilian football legend

"I knew when we gave Kaka the FIFA World Player of the Year award that he (Messi) would become the best player in the world. With young people like him we need patience and that is the problem we have in Brazil."

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Former Brazil President (An avid football fan)

"When I see Messi - who is the best player in the world in my opinion - lose the ball, he runs off until he gets it back or commits a foul. Our guys lose the ball and fold their arms."

Joan Laporta, Former Barcelona President

"This year at Barcelona, team spirit is dominating but players like Messi show there is individuality too. He is a virtuoso player who is determined and fast with the ball at his feet. He is a mixture of Maradona and Cruyff."

Carles Puyol, Barcelona captain

"He is a spectacular player, there is nobody else like him. I should know because I have suffered so much in training. I think he is the best forward at the moment and I think he will be so for many more years. He has his feet on the ground."

Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona midfielder

"He has a great future if he can stay clear of injuries. For me, he is the best there is."

Ronaldinho, Flamengo striker who formerly played for Barcelona

"Every time he plays, Leo Messi reminds me more of Maradona, both left-footed and short. Messi is the best player in the world, along with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. For us it is not a surprise. Since he began to come and train with us, we knew we would go down this path. Someday I will explain that I was at the birth of one of the footballing greats: Leo Messi."

Txiki Begiristain, Former Director of football, Barcelona

"He is priceless. Right now, in Messi, Barcelona has the best soccer player on planet Earth."

Marcello Lippi, Former Italy coach

"The best? Messi"

Daniel Alves, Barcelona defender

"Lionel Messi? When I played against him at Sevilla it was always very difficult, so now I'm pleased that we're on the same side. He's just fantastic."

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal midfielder

"It is as if someone commands him from the stands, like a video game. I have never seen a human run with the ball at that speed. I have not seen Maradona so I cannot compare, but Messi is simply unbeatable."

Raul, Schalke striker

"The other day I saw one of his games. He was running with the ball at a hundred percent full speed, I don't know how many touches he took, maybe five or six, but the ball was glued to his foot. It's practically impossible!"

Xavi, Barcelona midfielder

"It is clear that Messi is on a level above all others. Those who do not see that are blind."

Johnny Heitinga, Everton defender who formerly played for Atletico Madrid

"I believe that I played well against Barcelona, the problem was that Lionel Messi was simply unstoppable."

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager

"He's like a PlayStation"