Barcelona midfielder De Jong was interviewed recently. He said that Messi is the best in history.

De Jong said: "Messi was my role model. To me, he is the best player in history. Although I have not watched Cruyff's game with my own eyes, in my opinion, Messi is the absolute strongest."

When asked about Yamal and its off-field controversy, De Jong said: "Yamal should press Live your life as you see fit, I'm not qualified to tell him where to go or what to do. My responsibility is limited to supporting and helping him on the court, and he does a great job in that regard. As long as he stays like this, his behavior off the court has nothing to do with me."