Real Madrid's Dutch winger Arjen Robben has ended the debate over whether he or Leo Messi is the best player in the Primera Liga.
The pro-Real Madrid sector of the Spanish press has tried to open a debate in recent weeks by saying that Robben is as good as the Argentinean, who is currently in such good form for FC Barcelona.
Robben has been in fine form himself with three goals in his last three Primera Liga appearances, but speaking on Wednesday in the Real Madrid post-training press conference, he had no doubts about who is the better player.
"Messi is the best player in the World. He is in magnificent form and I think that he is really from another planet. It is an honor that they are comparing me with him," said Robben.
The Real Madrid winger admitted he was content to continue trying to help his team.
"I want to be important for my own team and to win titles. At the moment I feel good, but things can always be better. I need to be in good physical shape to be able to play as I want to and at the moment I am able to do that," he said.
Robben also praised the work of new coach Juande Ramos, who replaced Bernd Schuster just before Christmas.
"We are working harder now. We need to work to improve things and to be in shape," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2009)