It’s not often you hear Lionel Messi and Arsenal mentioned in the same sentence these days, given the maestro is finally done putting the club to the sword.
Messi ravaged Arsenal on some famous European nights under Arsene Wenger, when the club seldom found a way to beat Barcelona.
Of course, Andrey Arshavin did inspire one famous triumph against Pep Guardiola’s side in 2011, with highlights of the 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium still played today.
Back then, even with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and a young Jack Wilshere in the side, it would have been a bold claim to suggest any Arsenal player would ever be ranked ahead of Messi at any stage of his career.
But now 36-years-old and playing for David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the MLS, one Arsenal player has now surpassed Messi in CBS’ list of the top 100 players in world football.
Messi placed 12th on the list ahead of Martin Odegaard in 17th and Declan Rice in 14th.
But the only Arsenal player ahead of Messi was Bukayo Saka, who claimed 11th spot.
Bukayo Saka now ranked ahead of Lionel Messi in world football rankings
These lists are obviously very subjective, but it’s still a remarkable feat and a testament to how far Saka has come.
The 22-year-old is now set to star for his country at Euro 2024, and Saka has actually been handed the number seven shirt for England at the tournament.
Of course, Rice, who was also high on the list, will start alongside him in Germany, two stalwarts of Gareth Southgate’s project.
There has been some talk among England fans that Chelsea’s Cole Palmer deserves a start ahead of Saka on the right wing this weekend, but that would be an incredibly surprising call.
Palmer’s form deserves recognition, but not at the expense of one of England’s best players.
Thierry Henry never expected Saka to reach his current levels
Amid all this praise, Thierry Henry did recently admit that he never expected Saka to reach the levels he has today.
Henry called Saka ‘outstanding’ and praised his defending and the way he protects the ball as much as his attacking flair.
A generational talent, and at 22-years-old, Saka will now hope that he can begin to decorate his career with trophies, something he can achieve alongside Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
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