Brazilian soccer great Ronaldinho said FC Barcelona super-striker Lionel Messi was not in crisis and that, although there has been much speculation about his future, the fact remains that he is the “best in the world.”

“It’s hard for the best in the world to be in crisis,” the 36-year-old former Camp Nou talisman said during a visit to Guatemala to take part Sunday in a friendly match between local clubs Municipal and Comunicaciones.

Ronaldinho will suit up for both teams, playing one half for each side.

His remarks about Messi came after the Argentine superstar announced he would no longer compete for his national squad following its second straight Copa America final defeat to Chile.

Messi also was sentenced Wednesday in Spain to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, although he is unlikely to serve any time.

He also was fined around 2.1 million euros, or roughly $2.3 million.

Ronaldinho, who still has not officially retired after leaving Brazilian club Fluminense in September 2015 after not scoring any goals in seven games, said Friday afternoon in Guatemala that he was looking for a team where he would be happy and would announce his plans soon.

“I’m still not clear about which team I’ll retire with,” he said laughing, while also encouraging children to enjoy soccer and follow their dreams because sports “can get you away from a bad life.”

“Sports can save you and soccer especially. I came from a ‘favela‘ (shantytown).”

Ronaldinho, who was a part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning team, said he was hopeful that his country would win gold in the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, the only major title that has eluded the national squad.

“I hope, as a Brazilian, that things go well and Brazil can win the gold medal for the first time,” he said.

Olympic squads are composed primarily of U-23 players so the roster will be very different from the one that competed in the recently concluded Centennial Copa America tournament in the United States and which has come under heavy criticism after being eliminated in the group phase.

Ronaldinho, however, refused to comment on the national team’s performance, saying only that “there are a lot of young players with a lot of talent.” EFE

Guatemala City, Jul 9 (EFE)