KP Boateng Explains Why He 'Lied' That Messi Was the GOAT During His Time at Barcelona

• Kevin Prince Boateng has claimed he was compelled to name Messi as the best
• The former Ghanaian international played alongside the Argentine at Barcelona
• Boateng retired from professional football last month after playing for 15 clubs

Former Ghanaian midfielder, Kevin-Prince Boateng has confessed that he lied about Lionel Messi being the best player in the world so he could wear the Barcelona jersey.

The former AC Milan star played alongside the Argentine veteran during his loan spell at the Catalan giants in the 2018/19 season.

Boateng famously declared Messi as the best footballer he ever played alongside following his first training session with the reigning La Liga champions.

However, in an interview with the FIVE UK podcast, Boateng disclosed that he was compelled to say Messi was the best in order to continue as a Barca player.

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"They say who is the best player in the world, you say Messi," he said, drawing a hilarious reaction from Rio Ferdinand and the crew.

"This is one of the biggest lies because I usually say the truth, but this one I had to lie because I wanted to put on the shirt for one time at Camp Nou," he added.

Boateng played with some of the greatest footballers in the world during his professional career, including Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at AC Milan.

The German-born Ghanaian announced his retirement from the sport in August this year, as reported by footballghana.com.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Boateng revisiting his days with Barcelona where he played alongside superstars like Messi.

The former Black Stars midfielder spent the 2018/19 season on loan with the Catalan giants from Italian outfit, Sassuolo.

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Boateng made a surprise move to the La Liga titans for the second half of the campaign that year, having excelled in Serie A.

Boateng announces retirement from football

Meanwhile, Sports Brief also reported on Boateng announcing his retirement from football at the age of 36.

The former Ghana international hung up his boots after a career which saw him play for 15 clubs in Europe.

Boateng started his career at Hertha Berlin and returned home to end his football journey in the Bundesliga.