Eric Cantona: PSG’s Javier Pastore is the best player in the world

The former Manchester United and France striker Eric Cantona has revealed a surprising choice for the player he rates as the best in the world – Paris Saint-Germain’s Javier Pastore.

Cantona, who won four titles during his spell at Old Trafford and came third in the Ballon d’Or in 1993 behind Roberto Baggio and Dennis Bergkamp, was speaking ahead of the Laureus Sports Awards, which take place in Shanghai on Wednesday.

And rather than opting for the current Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo or four-times winner Lionel Messi, the 48-year-old instead plumped for the Argentina forward Pastore, who he described as “the most creative player” in the world.

“For me, the best player in the world is Javier Pastore,” said Cantona. “I watched two PSG games just to see him play. For me, he is the most creative player at the moment. Pastore is full of surprises. I love this kind of player.”

Pastore, who joined PSG from Palermo in 2011 for a reported €39.8m, is likely to come up against Messi’s Barcelona in Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final firtst leg. The 25-year-old has three goals and five assists this season.

Meanwhile, Cantona also courted controversy by suggesting that Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2010 was only down to the influence of Barcelona on the national team.

“Catalonia won the World Cup,” he said. “Spain won it with 10 Barcelona players in the team. Spain did not win the World Cup, Catalonia did. Barcelona won it.

“I’m sure that as soon as the youth set-up from Barcelona and other Spanish teams draw new, good players, Spain will emerge again.”

nonsense .
he's not even the best player in PSG ... in his position

Agreed with everything

' I watched two games " seems legit.

Yes but you are not Cantona mole, apparently it takes a lot to get him to watch 2 matches

Or possibly Cantona SEES more in 2 matches than mere mortals can see

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Yes but you are not Cantona mole, apparently it takes a lot to get him to watch 2 matches

Your right, I'm not an overrated player who got mystic based on feasting on the 7th ranked league in Europe at the time

No doubt Pastore is a pretty fantastic little player though. Some of the stuff he does is quite mystic.

I was talking about Cantona

El Cujo wrote:No doubt Pastore is a pretty fantastic little player though. Some of the stuff he does is quite mystic.

I wouldn't say he's little at 1,87m.

I was talking about Pastore.

I wouldn't say he's little at 1,87m.

While it's a figure of speech, I'll qualify it by saying I'm pretty sure my 11 month old daughter's wrists are already bigger than his.

Are we speaking of the same Pastore?


Edit: Ninja'd

One of my favorite players, but making such claims after watching 2 games is pretty bad.

After buying him into my Argentinian FUT, I've realised how good he is. Great dribbling skills and a very good passer. I play him as a CAM mostly and he has a decent shot on him.

Can agree with cantona to some extent.

He never settled well at PSG early on but it looks like he is fulfilling his potential slowly.

Won't mind him at Arsenal if Rosicky leaves. But not fussed with Isco/Iniesta either.

Go home Cantona you're drunk.

edit: looool rg that avy is so cringe ffs

RealGunner wrote:After buying him into my Argentinian FUT, I've realised how good he is. Great dribbling skills and a very good passer. I play him as a CAM mostly and he has a decent shot on him.

Can agree with cantona to some extent.

He never settled well at PSG early on but it looks like he is fulfilling his potential slowly.

Won't mind him at Arsenal if Rosicky leaves. But not fussed with Isco/Iniesta either.

Agreed.

RG pls. There are two dozen midfielders better than Rosicky and Iniesta currently, and Pastore is in that list.

LeVersacci wrote:Go home Cantona you're drunk.

edit: looool rg that avy is so cringe ffs

Probably he talked about The Cage.

Pastore's real guys. You'll see.

pastore has finally something to be proud of