Speaking exclusively in the April issue of Australian FourFourTwo magazine, out tomorrow, Messi backed Cahill’s talents to progress higher up the European football food chain if he so desired.

“Cahill is an excellent player with an eye for goal,” Messi told Australian FourFourTwo magazine. “He is a player good enough for any big club in Europe. He’s skillful, mobile, can score and has a great character too.”

Messi also opened up about watching the Socceroos at the last two World Cups, where he claimed to witness a marked improvement in our nation's standard of play.

The world’s best player also discusses what he knows about the A-League (warning: not a lot!), his rundown of the best Aussie players around the world and why he wishes the 2022 World Cup was in Australia.

For the full Messi on Australia interview, grab the April issue of FourFourTwo magazine which is out tomorrow and also features an exclusive interview with Maradona, our Asian Cup in pictures, Matt McKay on his stellar tournament, Patricio Perez on life as a Mariner plus we’re in London as our boys succeed at Nike’s The Chance competition.