"Messi is the greatest player of all time!" - Legendary Roberto Carlos recalls a funny story with Ronaldinho and Messi during his Real Madrid days

Even at a young age, Messi had the ability to amaze the entire world.

Details: In a recent podcast, 52-year-old former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos reminisced about a conversation with Ronaldinho when he first had to play against a then very young Lionel Messi.

• Also read: Cagliari vs Napoli: will Napoli extend their winning streak?

According to Carlos, Messi was already displaying a fantastic level of football back then:

"When I first faced Messi, I was simply stunned. I went up to Ronaldinho and said, 'Ronaldinho, you better watch out for your number, because this kid is terrifying and he’s going to take it from you soon.' Ronaldinho smiled and replied, 'I’m his teacher, and for me it’s a real pleasure.' But I told him, 'Teacher? I think in the future you’ll be learning from him.' Usually I would watch Ronaldinho and Eto’o shine in attack, but that day, all I saw was a young guy wearing number 30, outshining everyone on the pitch. Messi kept developing year after year in an incredible way. That’s why he is, without a doubt, the greatest player of all time." Carlos admitted.

Roberto Carlos played for Real Madrid from 1996 to 2007. He faced Messi more than once when the Argentine was just starting out at Barcelona, so the Brazilian knows first-hand about Leo’s genius.

Roberto Carlos announced his retirement in 2016. His last club was India’s Delhi Dynamos.

Reminder: "Neymar is greater than Messi" - Legendary Cafu stuns with bold statement