Gerrard once claimed former Liverpool player was better than Messi, he only scored five goals for the club

Add as preferred source on Google

Steven Gerrard once claimed former Liverpool attacker Joe Cole was a better player than World Cup winner Lionel Messi.

Back in 2010, the England international joined the Reds on a free transfer from Chelsea.

After a disappointing campaign the season prior, the Anfield captain told Match of the Day magazine (as relayed by The Guardian) that he was hopeful the West Ham academy product could help drive the team forward.

“Lionel] Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better,” Gerrard said.

“He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a football.

“I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season.”

Gerrard said Cole was better than Messi

After the Argentine completed football with his World Cup win yesterday, it is fair to say Gerrard may have made a mistake with his comments back in 2010.

At 35-years-old, Messi has arguably cemented himself as the greatest footballer of all time.

Although Cole was an incredible youth player, he was never going to hit the heights of the best in the world.

At Chelsea, the attacker made 281 appearances for the club, scoring 40 times and assisting 43 goals.

At Liverpool, however, he only made 42 appearances for the Merseyside outfit, during which he scored just five goals.

Although he was technically a Reds player for two-and-a-half-years, he spent one of the seasons on loan with LOSC Lille.

Therefore, it can be said that Cole’s Anfield career didn’t pan out the way Gerrard hoped it may have done.

However, his talent was undeniable; it was such a shame to see him riddled with injuries.