Spanish Formula One star Fernando Alonso has admitted he considers Barcelona's Leo Messi as the planet's top footballer, despite his love for arch rivals Real Madrid.

Alonso: "I can't deny Messi is the best"

Speaking in Argentina, the two-time F1 champion told newspaper Clarín: "Even though I'm a Real fan and I like Argentinian players like [ex-Madrid men] Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuaín, I can't deny that Messi is the best player in the world."

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F1 ace went to Camp Nou "just to see Messi"

And the 35-year-old McLaren Honda driver, who is preparing for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, added: "Even though I'm a Real Madrid supporter, I once went to the Camp Nou just to see Messi play."