IN WHAT IS becoming a less exclusive group by the day, Robin van Persie has joined the ranks of footballers who are supposedly as good as – if not better than – Lionel Messi.

Previous members of this elite list include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Goetze, and most hilariously, Joe Cole.

Now Johan Djourou has weighed in on the argument with his expert opinion, telling Talksport that Van Persie – who by pure coincidence happens to be his teammate and friend – is also as good as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Djourou cites the Dutchman’s phenomenal goalscoring record of late – 31 goals in 29 appearances – as evidence that he is worthy of such a comparison.

The Swiss international said:

“I don’t think there is a hotter striker in Europe at the moment. He is up there with Messi and Ronaldo, he is a great player and a great captain.

“The guy is so talented and he is showing it every week. It is amazing to see him doing all that but he deserves it because he has had problems before with injury. It is good to see him fit now.”

Van Persie has scored 95 goals in 229 appearances over the course of his career, in comparison with Messi’s tally of 134 goals in 190 appearances.

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