Lionel Messi is the greatest player ever... that's why I named my son after him, says Antonio Cassano

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Lionel Messi is the greatest player in history, according to former Italy international Antonio Cassano, who admits he even named his son after the Barcelona star.

Cassano, who terminated his contract with Parma in January after the club failed to pay his wages for six months, rates Messi even higher that World Cup winner Diego Maradona.

The Italian compared Messi to Roger Federer and said his competitor for the title of world's best player Cristiano Ronaldo is like Rafael Nadal.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the winning goal that clinched the La Liga title for Barcelona

Former Italy international Antonio Cassano says that Messi is the greatest player in history

'Messi is the greatest in the history of football. Many say that Diego Maradona did more to win a World Cup, but those were different times,' Cassano told Italia 1. 'Leo is the best, and that's why I named my son after him.

'He and Ronaldo are two great players, but different. If we compare it to tennis, Ronaldo is like Nadal, Messi is Federer.'

Portugal international Ronaldo has been named Ballon d'Or winner in each of the last two years after Messi won the award for four consecutive times.

But Messi is on the brink of leading Barcelona to a domestic and European treble this season.

Cassano thinks that Messi is even better than his World Cup winning compatriot Diego Maradona 

Cristinao Ronaldo has won the last two Ballon d'Ors has not been able to fire Real Madrid to any major  domestic or European silverware this season

He scored the wining goal against Atletico Madrid as Barca clinched the La Liga title last weekend while Luis Enrique's side are into the final of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona face Juventus in the battle for Europe's top club prize and Cassano admits it will be tough for the Serie A champions but thinks they can spring a surprise. 

'Allegri was widely criticised when he arrived in the summer, but he is doing a great job. To beat Barcelona is going to be difficult, but anything can happen in a final,' the former Italy man said.