Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has claimed that Gerard Pique has developed into the best centre-back in world football.

Pique is closing in on 10 years back at Camp Nou since a period spent at Manchester United, and 355 appearances have been made in all competitions.

Puyol played alongside Pique during the latter stages of his career, and the former club skipper feels that his ex-teammate has progressed into the perfect defender for the Catalan giants.

The 39-year-old told La Vanguardia: "Right now, Pique is the best centre-back in the world. He's the perfect age and physically he is in great shape. He's always been very intelligent, but you notice it more now.

"The same with his leadership, which he's always had but now he's in complete control on the pitch, especially at the back. That's a plus.

"His positioning has improved as well. He hardly ever loses his position and he knows how to read the game and to anticipate what's going to happen. He never loses his head. He seems more responsible, too, something which comes with time and age."

Juventus's Giorgio Chiellini recently claimed that Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos should be regarded as the best defender in the world.