Pau Gasol Talks About Barcelona, Says Messi Is the 'Best Player in the World'

Chicago Bulls star Pau Gasol was full of praise for FC Barcelona when he sat down to talk to the club ahead of this weekend's NBA All-Star Game in Toronto.

The 35-year-old power forward credited the likes of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi for the rise in football's popularity in the U.S.

"Figures like Messi make fans want to see him play because of his special ability with the ball," he said.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

"For me, he's the best player in the world, a fantastic player. He's out of the ordinary. He's a player who's defined a generation, and he will be a reference point for the rest of the history of the game."

The Spaniard started his career with Barcelona in 2001 and will be playing in his sixth All-Star Game this weekend.

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

He believes the dominance of Luis Enrique's Barcelona, who won five trophies in 2015 and are unbeaten in 29 games in all competitions, has enhanced the Argentinian's brilliance.

"He dominates the game, he's a great player like the rest of the team," he said. "I think the greatness of the team makes Messi even greater. I think it's helped him achieve what he's achieved."

The Bulls remain in the hunt for another NBA playoff berth and currently sit at seventh in the Eastern Conference.

[FC Barcelona]