Steven Gerrard does not agree with the assessment that he is the best player in the world on current form.
The Liverpool captain has received many plaudits for his recent performances, sparked by comments from Zinedine Zidane in the wake of his barnstorming display against Real Madrid.
With a starring role in the 4-1 win at Manchester United and a hat-trick against Aston Villa further illustrating his current level of performance, a number of pundits feel he is in line for personal accolades this year.
Nevertheless, Gerrard feels there are other major talents out there, particularly at Barcelona and even up the road at Old Trafford.
"It's very flattering and it makes me smile when people talk well about my game and how I'm performing," he said in a Champions League special on Setanta Ireland.
"But I don't agree with being the best midfielder in the world. There's a lot of fantastic midfield players out there and it's very nice to be talked about in terms of those top players.
"The players I admire now are playing at Barcelona. Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi. They are the players I watch who really excite me and I think to myself they're on a different level to all other footballers out there.
"Obviously Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United is a very good player as well, although it hurts me to say it because he's a rival.
"I also think we're very lucky to have Fernando Torres. He was a wonderful signing for the football club.
"He's young and has already shown he's one of the best players in the world.
"We're very lucky to have him."