Alejandro Dominguez has been one of the key players for Russian titleholders Rubin Kazan during their Champions League adventure so far this season. The Argentinian striker even outshone Barcelona star Lionel Messi when Rubin locked horns with the Spanish champions. However, Dominguez is full of praise for his young compatriot.

"I don't really have a favourite club or player. Never had one, except for Maradona, as is the case with most of my compatriots," said Dominguez on uefa.com.

"Diego was the people's idol and so was mine too. After him, I've never seen a player I admired so much as to say: "Wow I wish I could be like him." Everyone has his own style. I’ve got my own, too, and I like it, even if I'm trying to add more stuff all the time.

"I believe you must always try to get better, to see what's missing, to improve. Messi is the most decisive player at the moment, with Ronaldo and Kaka close behind. They are the best players in the world.

"Sometimes Messi is the best, sometimes Ronaldo, sometimes Kaka. They are human beings, too, and they can't maintain their standard all the time. But Messi is the most explosive."