Pastore is world's best, says Cantona

With his chest pushed out and collar turned up, football was always about art for Eric Cantona.

And it remains so for the former Manchester United star, who with Fabio Capello, Ruud Gullit and Louis Saha shared their views on the game at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai this week. For Cantona, there is no debate as to who the best footballer on the planet is. And it's not Ronaldo or Messi.

"For me the world's most exciting player is Javier Pastore (PSG). I watch two games just to see Pastore play. He's got something special. He surprises you every time. I think he's the most creative player in the world today. That's why I think he's the best player in the world. I love this kind of player," he said.

It's a measure of Pastore's brilliance that it captures the attention of Cantona, who since retiring from the game in 1997 admits he hardly watches matches anymore and has no contact with his former team mates.

"I realised my dream of playing with the best players and best clubs, and when it was finished, I lost passion for the game. For two years after I retired it was difficult because it is very exciting and it's like a drug. But then I wanted to do something else. I act, I produce, I write - it's important to do many things and be free."

Gullit took a more diplomatic view of this debate.

"People ask me all the time who is better. I think it's a matter of preference not of quality. Both are exceptional. But I think it's a blessing that we can watch players like this at this time. I think Ronaldo and Messi are good because they are in competition together. In the past we had Pele on his own, Maradona on his own, Cruyff on his own for a part of his career."

And Capello was ever the pragmatic manager. "Ronaldo is a very strong player, especially at set pieces. But when it comes to imagination, Messi is absolutely the best."