Aitor Ruibal scored an important goal for Real Betis in their recent duel against Real Madrid, with the player helping him club seal a point with an equaliser.

Speaking after the game, Ruibal was asked whether Jude Bellingham is the best player in the world, following an extraordinary milestone of 20 goals or assists in 18 matches.

Ruibal calls Messi as best player in the world

Ruibal, though, had only one player in mind when asked about the best player in the world – Lionel Messi.

“As long as Messi is active, I cannot say that anyone is better than him,” Ruibal said (h/t Diario SPORT) after the Real Madrid game.

It must be noted that Messi was crowned the prestigious Ballon d’Or title earlier in the year, trumping other stars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

The Real Betis star, though, did admit that Bellingham, too, is fast growing to be one of the best in the world.

“It is true that he is one of the best right now and at his age, he is surely among the best ones here, if not already,” he added.

In the same Ballon d’Or event, Bellingham was crowned the Kopa Trophy for being the best young player in the tournament.

Messi, meanwhile, is currently plying his trade for Inter Miami, alongside former Barcelona superstar Sergio Busquets.

The Argentine was closely linked with a return to Camp Nou in the summer, but it appears the possibility of his potential return to Catalonia is over, at least as a player.