Gullit: Barca still with lots to prove

29 Juli 2012 21:48

Ruud Gullit believes Barcelona will have to win and retain the Champions League before they can be regarded as the best side in history.

The Dutchman, who was part of the AC Milan team that secured back-to-back European crowns in 1989 and 1990, appreciates the talent the Catalans hold but feels Tito Vilanova's side must equal the feat achieved by the Italian giants 22 years ago.

"We retained the European Cup, which even the current Barca side couldn't do," the Dutchman told reporters.

“But there is no doubt that Barcelona are a great team and are ambassadors of the beautiful game."

Barca boast three-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi among their ranks, but the former Chelsea and Newcastle manager thinks comparisons with Argentine great Diego Maradona are wide of the mark.

"Diego Maradona is the best ever in my opinion," Gullit said. "I never saw Pele play live but I have seen and played against Maradona, he is the greatest. Now Lionel Messi and Ronaldo are the two best."