The football legend will bid to lead Argentina to back-to-back World Cup triumphs when they take on Spain in the final on Sunday (19.07.26) and the former La Albiceleste defender thinks that Messi's hunger to win sets him apart from other greats.

Zabaleta – who represented Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final – told FIFA.com: "I don't think players become the best in the world purely because of their technical ability. There has to be something else as well, and for me that's the constant desire to improve, year after year, regardless of what they've already achieved.

"His mentality is extraordinary. He's won almost everything the game has to offer, yet he's never become complacent. If anything, every success seems to have driven him to achieve even more."

The former Manchester City player added: "Wherever Messi has played, success tends to follow. Even at 39, and despite concerns over his fitness before the tournament, he's shown once again how influential he remains. He gives his all and continues to make the difference when it matters most.

"He's in a league of his own. His talent and technical ability are obvious to everyone, but what truly separates him from the rest is his competitive mindset. He's remained at the very top of the game for more than two decades because he's never stopped looking for ways to improve. Very few players in any era have managed that."

Zabaleta recalls realising how good Messi was when he took part in his first training session alongside the Inter Miami ace.

He said: "We played a lot of small-sided games, and if you were on Messi's team you were almost guaranteed to win comfortably. I loved it.

"If you happened to be up against him, though, it was a very different story, because he made life very difficult for you. It was a privilege to watch a player with that level of talent at such a young age. He was impressive."