What’s Lionel Messi’s favourite team? It’s not Barcelona, Real Madrid

Inter Miami forward and Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi has revealed the name of his favourite team, and surprisingly it is not Real Madrid, Barcelona, or even his Inter Miami.

The 36-year-old joined the Major League Soccer in the mid-last year after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with David Beckham’s club.

During his 15 appearances in MLS, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner netted 14 goals.

While speaking with the Spanish sports outlet Infobae, Messi said Friday: "I think Argentina is always the favourite, beyond the fact that we have just won [the World Cup, the last Copa America and the Finalissima], before, when it wasn't a given that we could achieve those goals, Argentina was also always the favourite."

The foot player added: "When a championship starts, be it the World Cup, Copa America or whatever, Argentina is a candidate just like Brazil and more so in this Copa America. But I think that nowadays the South American teams are really strong. Uruguay is doing very good, Colombia, Ecuador."

The former Barcelona player further revealed: "After that, it becomes very difficult to play all the games, but I think it will be a very even Copa America."

Speaking about the best team, he said: "The best team is Real Madrid. If you go by results, Real Madrid is the best."

He added. "If you go by level of the play, I think Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are the best."

Lionel Messi is currently preparing to appear at the Copa America, aiming to secure another trophy for his country.

Messi played in Barcelona when Pep Guardiola was managing the Spanish football club.