'In years to come': Shay Given says Arsenal have a player who could get to Lionel Messi's level

Today at 12:45 PM

There's a serious debate in football right now about the meaning of the phrase 'world-class'.

For some, world-class simply means you're one of the best players in the world in your position, for others, it means you're one of the greatest players of all-time.

Bukayo Saka's status as a world-class player has been debated as of late, and speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, Shay Given has shared his verdict on the winger.

Given says that a world-class player is someone on the level of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele or Diego Maradona.

The bar is very high in Given's mind, but he does think Saka can bridge that gap in the years to come if he can win the Premier League with Arsenal and the World Cup with England.

• READ MORE: Ben Foster shares what annoys him about Arsenal No.29 Kai Havertz 'every time' he watches him play

Bukayo Saka tipped to reach world-class level

Given shared his verdict on the Arsenal star.

"We're all agreeing he's one of the best players in the Premier League, and there's this conversation about whether he's world-class or is he not," Given said.

"He's only 23, he has years ahead of him. When you talk world-class you're talking about Ronaldo, Messi, Maradona, Pele, players of years gone by.

"I don't think Saka can't be that in years to come if he picks up trophies, wins the Premier League with Arsenal, wins the World Cup for England, he's world-class then, because he gets his hands on those trophies."

Is Bukayo Saka world class?

Given believes Bukayo Saka can become world-class, but there's an argument to make that he's already there.

The winger has already starred in multiple major tournaments, while he's been arguably Arsenal's best player for a while now.

However, a lack of trophies is an issue, and Ally McCoist has also claimed that Saka isn't quite there yet.

"I really like him, I think he's a terrific player. I think Salah is world-class, I think Saka is international-class and he has the potential to become world-class," McCoist said.

"Do I like Saka? You better believe I do. He's absolutely vital to Arsenal. There's continued improvement in him, but I would be reserving the world-class tag just at the moment."

Of course, everyone in football will have a different definition of what world-class means, but it's easy to understand why you wouldn't bestow that label to Saka just yet as his medal collection isn't very impressive.

At the age of just 23, Saka has time on his side, but, right now, he falls just short of that world-class category in the eyes of many.