Messi has been the best for 10 years and still will be, says Pogba

Lionel Messi has been the best player in the world for over a decade and will continue to be "for many years", according to Paul Pogba.

France eliminated Argentina from the last 16 of the World Cup with a 4-3 victory in Kazan on Saturday, leading to speculation over Messi's international future.

The Barcelona superstar has lost four finals with his country – he retired from the national team after losing to Chile in the Copa America Centenario showpiece in 2016 – and will be 35 when the next World Cup takes place in Qatar.

Regardless of what is in store for Messi, Pogba has no doubt he will continue to operate at a higher level than all other footballers.

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"He's been the best football player in the world for more than 10 years. He is unique, he has a unique size, what he does with the ball is unique, he's a pure left-footer. He'll always be an idol," the Manchester United midfielder told TF1.

"I lost to him in the final of the Champions League with Juventus [in 2015] and I'm happy to have beaten him now.Players like that make you love football. I think he'll continue to be the best for many years and it'll always be a pleasure for me to see him play."

"He must be disappointed, he must be sad, it may be his last [World Cup], but he'll always be remembered by every footballer, every journalist, every person in the world."