It's a privilege to see Messi play every week: Ruud Gullit

SHANGHAI: Legendary Ruud Gullit does not endorse the criticism that Lionel Messi faces for not being able to guide his team to World Cup triumph as Dutch legend feels privileged to be able to watch the Argentine artist at work week after week.

"If you need to find something (fault), you will always find that little thing. I think Messi is an excellent player and we are privileged to see him play every week," Gullit told PTI while interacting with the media at the Laureus Shanghai Campus Football Tour event.

Gullit was accompanied by Spain legend Carles Puyol, who was made the ambassador of Laureus World Sports.

Asked about the ever-raging debate of who is the greatest between Messi and Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, Gullit said:"I think both of them are great players who happen to play at the same time and same moment. We should be fortunate to see them play."

Gullit, who is now an Laureus ambassador, had also come to India in 2012 for a charity match in the aftermath of the Sikkim earthquake. He also visited Kolkata in July, last year.

Asked if he would be keen to be associated with Indian football, he said: "I had the opportunity this year. There was a moment where I could but I had to do something and I could not come to India."

Talking about the upcoming Champions League quarter-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on Wednesday night, Gullit said:"PSG have some injury issues but it is gonna be tight game. I was impressed by the way they played against Chelsea. They were strong at the midfield.

"You can stop the trio of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. We have seen that against Sevilla. Sevilla did very well so they will take note of that game."

Gullit, who was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88, said:"You need good coaches and passion to take you to the next level. You need to press harder and quicker and if you can do that it becomes easier."