Raith Rovers boss Dougie Imrie assesses all-time great' Lionel Messi and reveals best players he played with and against

Stark’s Park gaffer Imrie, 43, paid tribute to the little Inter Miami number 10, who scored 672 in 778 outings for Barcelona between 2004 and 2021 and is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, whose last Argentina outing was in July’s 1-0 World Cup final defeat to Spain in the USA.

When asked if Messi – the most decorated player in the history of professional football having won 46 team trophies across more than 1,150 career appearances – is the best footballer of all time, Imrie replied: “He’s certainly up there. I think him and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two at the top of the tree in the last 10 to 15 years.

"The two of them are wonderful players. Messi spoke in the last few weeks, months of unfortunately losing his dad as well, which is maybe why he's decided the time is right for him.

"But at 39, the next World Cup is in four years' time. He'll be 43.

"I think with the career he's had, obviously, he would have liked to have probably won the final two years on the bounce for Argentina. He just couldn't get over the line.

"Spain were excellent in the final. But I take nothing away from what a career Messi's had.”

Imrie was also asked who the best player he’s ever played with or against has been.

He added: “The best player I ever played against is probably Virgil van Dijk, a top, top player.

"He was probably playing up here in second gear half the time.

"But he just had unbelievable physique, pace and understanding of the game. Everything that a centre-half should have.

"The best player I played with, I think I've said this many a time probably, is Ali Crawford.

"At the time at Hamilton Accies, he was just a wonderful football player.

"He could see passes that other people couldn't see. His delivery from a setplay was always on the money. And he’s just a top, top lad.

"So those are probably the two best players I've ever played with and against.”