Totti: Only Messi is better than me

Roma legend Francesco Totti says Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the only man he would rank higher than himself in world football.

The 36-year-old, who has been linked with a return to the Italian national team following his fine form this season, has admitted the Argentine forward is on another level, but is adamant nobody else is a cut above him.

“There is only one player who is doing things that I could never do and that is Messi,” Totti was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I do not think there is an Italian footballer who I would place above myself in a list, though. The numbers speak for themselves.”

The experienced attacker then went on to praise former Juventus and Italy coach Marcello Lippi, while stating he would love to work with Jose Mourinho at some point in the future.

“For me, Lippi is the best coach I have ever worked with. He had such incredible charisma. But Fabio Capello and Luciano Spalletti are true greats as well,” he said.

“Who I would like to work with? Mourinho.”

Totti also had his say on AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, and stressed that the former Manchester City attacker is not a superstar yet.

“I would say that he can become a phenomenon, but it all depends on his attitude and his behaviour. It’s about the things you do outside the pitch, too.”