Messi is the best but Iniesta was something else – Arda Turan

Arda Turan believes that Lionel Messi is the best player he has ever played with, but former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is something else entirely.

Turan moved to Barcelona in 2015 after winning four trophies, including La Liga and the Europa League, as a player at Atletico Madrid.

Once at Camp Nou, former rivals Messi and Iniesta became team-mates, with Turan saying that the duo are the most talented he has ever been around.

“There’s no need to talk about Messi. He’s the best player I have played with,” he told DHA.

“But Iniesta was something else. His attitude, his commandment of the ball makes you admire him.”

Turan’s time with Barcelona, though, has not quite reached the heights of his time at Atletico.

After making 55 appearances and winning four trophies over his first two seasons, Turan has spent the last three campaigns on loan with Istanbul Basaksehir.

That loan was terminated in January, with the midfielder having been caught in a number of controversies during his time back in his native Turkey.

Turan was suspended for 16 matches, later reduced to 10, for pushing an assistant referee in 2018 while the midfielder also made headlines following a brawl with pop star Berkay Sahin that same year.

However, he is hoping for another chance at Barcelona as he believes he still has something to offer.

“I have made mistakes, of course. But it’s not like I’m done,” he said. 

“When I start playing football three months from now I can be better than everyone else after three or four games. I can still be like the old Arda Turan.

“I want to play football for a club where I can feel happy. I can still play football at a high level for four or five years.

“I have a contract with Barcelona. I wanted it to be the case until the end of the season. This is what I wanted.”

Although he is still a member of Barca’s squad, Turan admitted that he does still look back fondly on his time with Atleti, which he believes was his brightest period as a footballer.

“With Atletico Madrid, we have beaten Messi’s Barcelona and Ronaldo’s Real Madrid to the title. That was the most special moment of my career,” he said.

“Winning La Liga was amazing. Winning Copa del Rey in Santiago Bernabeu also has a special place in my heart. Copa del Rey finals are always special.  

“Diego Simeone and Fatih Terim are special managers. Terim never gives up, he’s very motivated and has leadership skills. Simeone is tactically very good, he’s energetic, he keeps you awake at all times. I have worked with many talented coaches but Terim and Simeone are a step ahead of the rest.”