Former Barca Star Patrick Kluivert Says Lionel Messi Needs Cristiano Ronaldo

It may be the greatest rivalry between two players the game has ever known, but Patrick Kluivert believes Lionel Messi needs Cristiano Ronaldo to push him to higher levels.

"Messi is in a different dimension with his football, but I also think he urgently needs someone like Cristiano Ronaldo," he told Voetbalzone (via the Mirror). "He needs someone who gives him an incentive to go for it every game, to see each match as a challenge. Both players are world class and a level above the rest."

Kluivert made 182 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 90 goals in a six-year spell at the Camp Nou, and he is currently the manager of Caribbean nation Curacao.

But he hopes that one day he might return to Barcelona to occupy the hot seat currently filled by former team-mate Luis Enrique:

"

Of course, it's my dream to be coach of Barcelona. Yes, I know it is certainly a possibility which is far away, but who knows what might happen. Luis Enrique was a leader on the field in our playing days and always crazy about football. These two features – leadership and passion – ensure he's a top trainer. It makes sense he's done well.

"

Could we be seeing Leo Messi in a Barca team led by Kluivert in the not too distant future?

[h/t Mirror]