Beckham believes Messi will be a star at World Cup

Updated on: 05 January,2010 07:35 AM IST |
PA Sport |

David Beckham has warned that Argentina's Lionel Messi could take the World Cup by storm this summer but insists England are "lucky" to have an exceptional group of players themselves.

David Beckham has warned that Argentina's Lionel Messi could take the World Cup by storm this summer but insists England are "lucky" to have an exceptional group of players themselves.

The England midfielder rates Barcelona forward Messi as "the closest player" to England's 1986 nemesis Diego Maradona but believes Fabio Capello can count on a number of key men when England mount their challenge.

www.fifa.com: "Messi is one of the best players I've played against and also one of the finest players I've ever seen.

"For a little player, he's so talented. He's the closest player to Maradona that you can get, and he even plays in a similar passionate way too.

"He's successful and a really good person as well. I'm sure he'll go on to be even more successful in the future."

Asked who was England's answer to Messi, the 34-year-old said: "I think we've got many key players in our team: Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand u2014 we've got players all the way through our team who are exceptional. We're lucky to have such a talented group of players.

"Fabio Capello is a special manager. He has so much experience. He knows how to win games and he knows how to win competitions.

"I'm sure he'll relish the time when he walks out as England manager to take charge of the team for his first match at a World Cup. To sit on the sideline and watch his team, I'm sure will be a proud moment for him.

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