Messi Is Like Stefano, Pele & Maradona - Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello says Lionel Messi has defined an era and believes the Barcelona ace is on a par with Alfredo Di Stefano, Pele and Diego Maradona.

The Italian got his first glimpse of the Argentine back in August 2005 when he took his then Juventus side to Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Capello was so taken with Messi's talent that he tried to sign him on the spot, so convinced was he that the diminutive forward was destined for greatness.

RUSSIA: Fabio Capello Leaves On Mutual Agreement

The Russian Football Union (RFS) has confirmed Fabio Capello's contract as national team coach has been terminated by mutual consent. The Russia Football Union (RFS) confirmed on Tuesday that it had come to a "mutual agreement" with Capello to terminate his contract.

Capello's deal had been due to run until the end of the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, but ends with the national team struggling to qualify for Euro 2016 and the RFS having found it difficult to pay his wages in recent times.

It was reported in February that Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov had stepped in with an emergency loan to enable the RFS to pay Capello 400million roubles (£3.9m) in backdated wages.