Jesus Navas names David Silva the third best player after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Jesus Navas (L) and David Silva (R) have been teammates at Manchester City since 2013

Manchester City winger has hailed his teammate David Silva, suggesting that the playmaker along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been the three best players in the world over the past year, as per the reports on Goal. Ronaldo and Messi have been the top two players over the past eight years, with the duo sharing the last seven Ballon d’Ors between them.

There is no doubt the two superstars, who are both plying their trade in Spain’s La Liga, have been a class act since the rivalry began from the late 2000s. The intense competition between Ronaldo and Messi have helped each other reach unimaginable milestones and records in the game, pushing each other to the limits every time they step onto the football pitch.

While one went on to become Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer, the other inspired his side to a treble-winning campaign. Both players go toe-to-toe on all fronts and it’s fair to say, they are undoubtedly two of the greatest players in the game’s history.

On the other hand, Spain international Navas believes that the playmaker and teammate Silva deserves to be bracketed in the same class as the superstar duo, with the playmaker currently playing a key role in the club’s Premier League title challenge.

“Ronaldo, Messi, Silva.” the 30-year-old replied when asked to name the best three players of the past 12 months.

“The truth is that playing with David is a luxury. He always creates spaces for his team-mates.”

Despite making a bright start to the campaign, recording six assists to his name and netting one goal in five league appearances, the former Valencia midfielder’s season has been hampered with injuries and he has been ruled out for the upcoming Champions League clash against Juventus at Turin.

Messi is a very complete player: Navas

The FIFA Ballon d’Or gala is fast approaching and it is highly likely that football’s most prestigious individual honour will be contested once again between Ronaldo and Messi. The Portugal captain will be hoping to bag his fourth award to level the Argentine forward’s record, but Navas has tipped the Barca magician to win it this time and has claimed that he is the greatest player the game has ever seen.

“He’s a very complete player, not just for what he does because everything he does, he does very well,” the Spanish international stated.

“He can score, he’s quick, he sets the rhythm. He always has three markers on him and for Barcelona that’s very good.”