Benfica midfielder Pablo Aimar has stressed that he is proud that Barcelona star Lionel Messi sees him as an inspiration.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner once said that he does not have any idols, but then added that he enjoys watching the former Valencia playmaker.
“When I was 13 or 14 I loved to watch Aimar. He’s brilliant, I enjoy watching him,” Messi said about Aimar, and the 32-year-old is over the moon with the Argentine’s praise.
“He (Messi) is the best player in the world, probably in history, and to hear him praise my game is wonderful,” Aimar told the official UEFA website.
“False modesty is worse than arrogance. I’ve been compared to some huge names. It’s not something I aspired to or expected, but it’s very reassuring.”
Aimar started his professional career with River Plate and also wore the jerseys of Valencia and Real Zaragoza before joining Benfica in 2008.
