Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal is on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to former Colombia international Giovanni Hernandez.
Vidal won four Serie A titles with Juventus before leaving for Bayern in 2015, where he won the domestic double in Pep Guardiola s final season in charge.
The 29-year-old has also enjoyed stunning success with Chile, claiming the Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016, and he earned a place on the shortlist for France Football s Ballon d Or prize that was announced last month.
And Hernandez, who played alongside Vidal for Colo-Colo before the latter joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2007, says the combative midfielder is undoubtedly one of the world s finest.
Vidal is on the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the 40-year-old told Radio ADN. As a kid, he knew the potential he had and knew how to exploit it. He s one of the best players in the world.
Hernandez also hailed the work ethic of Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, who spent a year at Colo-Colo on loan after joining Udinese.
He was a playful kid humorous, happy, humble, Hernandez said. That s what I remember about Alexis.
Today, he s more of a man. He always worked a little harder than the rest, and that s why he s achieved everything he has.
Chile face Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
