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Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed he was 'forced' to lie and say Lionel Messi was the best player in the world when he joined Barcelona otherwise he 'wouldn't play'.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's VIBE with FIVE podcast, Boateng claimed it was 'one of the biggest lies of my life' as he had always supported Real Madrid growing up and 'loved' Cristiano Ronaldo. 

'I remember that when I arrived in Barcelona they immediately asked me who the best player in the world was. I had to say it was Lionel Messi, I lied. It was one of the biggest lies of my life,' he told the podcast. 

'Normally I always tell the truth, but I lied because it was the only way to wear the Barcelona shirt. I always supported Real Madrid when I was a teenager. I love Cristiano Ronaldo. But they told me I had to say that, otherwise I wouldn't play.'

He also added: 'He [Messi] is the captain but doesn't speak. We spoke one time in the shower because he asked if it's difficult to score in Italy because Ronaldo was there at that time, and he showed the rivalry between them.