‘Those words will never come out of my mouth’ – Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti refuses to call Barcelona legend Lionel Messi the best, despite World Cup triumph

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has refused to call Lionel Messi the best in the world despite his World Cup triumph.

Messi helped guide Argentina to the World Cup, and finally got his hands on the trophy that had previously alluded him.

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But Ancelotti refused to be drawn on whether Messi is the best.

The Italian, did, however, name Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona as potential candidates.

"It's difficult to say, I don't know if he's the best in history," Ancelotti said at Real Madrid's pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"It's not fair to say that, because each era has very good players. 'Messi is the best in history' won't come out of my mouth. 

"I've enjoyed so many good players... I train the Ballon d'Or [winner Karim Benzema] every day. And I've seen Cruyff, Maradona play..."

Real Madrid take on Real Valladolid in LaLiga on Friday, looking to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona.

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Ancelotti is hopeful of having Eden Hazard back to his best after an injury layoff.

He said: "I see Hazard well, he has trained well. I see him better than before the World Cup. He has done a good job and I am going to use the entire squad."

The Los Blancos boss also provided an update on Benzema's situation, after the France international sustained an injury which meant he missed the World Cup in Qatar.

"He did not enter into that decision," he added. "With us he has returned a highly motivated player and we are convinced that in the second [half of the] season he will do a lot for us."