Toure: Messi is incomparable

Posted Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by ESPN

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure believes that nobody can be compared to former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, whom he labels 'the world's best'.

Toure is one of the rare few who can claim first-hand experience of playing with both players before, having joined Manchester City from Barcelona in 2010.

He admits that while highly-rated City teammate Silva is the best in the Premier League, nobody should be compared with Messi, who he labels as the world's best.

"People comparing Silva with Messi? Look, there's only one Messi. Messi is Messi. The best in the world. And he's also a great guy," Toure was quoted as saying in an interview with Sport.

"Silva is also a player of the highest level, though. In my opinion, he's not only the best player at City, but also the best in the entire Premier League. He has it all and would fit Barcelona's profile."

Toure went on to further explain his reasons for leaving Nou Camp in 2010, citing a lack of first-team opportunities at the prime of his career as a huge factor, though he does not rule out returning to the Catalan club.

He added: "I left Barca because I wanted to play every week. My wife said: 'You're 27, you can't be on the bench, you should leave'.

"I said from day one that Barça is my dream club. I still watch them, it's a joy, phenomenal. Returning? You never know."