text: Lionel Messi is not the best player in the world, neither is Cristiano Ronaldo - that title belongs to Paris Saint-Germain forward Javier Pastore, according to Eric Cantona. Making a rare foray into discussing football matters, Manchester United legend Cantona delivered his surprising verdict that the Argentine was the ‘most creative’ player in the world. ‘The best player in the world, the most exciting player in the world, is [Javier] Pastore from Paris Saint-Germain,’ said Cantona, ‘Why? Because I watched two games just to see Pastore playing, giving passes. He has got something special. Because football is interactive, it's why football is so popular, I think.’ Javier Pastore (right) celebrates after winning the French League Cup with PSG last Saturday . The Argentina international is the best player in the world, according to former striker Eric Cantona . The former Manchester United forward was speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai . Pastore, who cost the French league leaders £29million, has three goals and five assists this season compared with Messi’s 45 goals for Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 51 for Spanish rivals Real Madrid. But statistics did not colour Cantona’s assessment. ‘Pastore can do things that the other ones don't know, he does things that surprise you every time. Not only in scoring goals, spectacular goals - everything. Just passing. He's a very creative player. He's the most creative player, I think, in the world today. It's why I think he's the best player in the world, because I love this kind of player.’ Cantona was third in the Ballon d’Or in 1993 behind Roberto Baggio and Dennis Bergkamp. He won the Premier League four times with United before retiring from playing aged 30. No stranger to prompting debate, Cantona invited more controversy by suggesting Spain had only won the World Cup because of the influence of Barcelona on the national team. Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the best player in the world for 2014 at the award ceremony in January . The Real Madrid forward has scored 51 goals in all competitions this season . Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has also been overlooked by Cantona despite netting 45 times this season . ‘Catalonia won the World Cup,’ said Cantona, speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai. ‘Spain won it with 10 Barcelona players in the team. Spain did not win the World Cup, Catalonia did. Barcelona won it. ‘My grandparents are from Catalunya, from Barcelona. They arrived in France in '39. There was a civil war. So, I am very proud of Barcelona and all that they have done. ‘I’m sure that as soon as the youth set-up from Barcelona and other Spanish teams draw new, good players, Spain will emerge again.’
target: Eric Cantona says PSG midfielder Javier Pastore is world's best player .
  Pastore cost the French champions £29million from Palermo in 2011 .
  Argentine has scored three goals and made five more this season .
  Pastore is the most creative player in the world according to Cantona .
  Frenchman also says Spain only won World Cup because of Barcelona .