Carlos Puyol: Lionel Messi is already the greatest of all time - but he's still hungry for more

The Spain legend believes his former teammate is still the best, and that it remains a 'joy' to watch him play

Carlos Puyol won three Champions Leagues alongside Lionel Messi (AFP)

Carlos Puyol says Leo Messi is already the best of all time and doesn't need to win the World Cup to confirm his status - but said it is notable that the Argentine seems to have as much hunger for the top trophies as ever.

Puyol played with Messi at Barcelona between 2005 and 2014 and won three Champions Leagues with him.

As a former World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, he was present in Moscow for the 2018 draw, and emphasised that his former teammate is still the best, and that it remains a "joy" to watch him play.

Asked whether he needs to win the World Cup to be the best ever, Puyol said: "For some, yes. I don’t have any doubt about it. For me, he is the best ever.

"It’s a wonder to see him play, to see him with the same hunger since he first played, to see him enjoying himself like he does when he gets on that pitch, and it’s a pleasure to watch him and an honour to have played with him."