Eric Cantona: Catalonia won the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, not Spain

Former France international Eric Cantona has said that the 2010 World Cup was won by Catalonia, not by Spain. 

Speaking at the Shanghai Grand Theatre on Monday, he also stated his belief that "Barcelona are the best team in the world". 

Cantona, whose best years as a player came at Manchester United, suggested that Barça are the best because of the way they produce players in-house. 

"Barça are the best team in the world because the have an academy -- La Masia -- which continually produces young players," he said. 

"Nobody can compete against that." 

He also recalled his stay in Sant Just Desvern "when Johan Cruyff coached Barcelona" and mentioned the Catalan past of his grandfather, who was born in Martorell and exiled to France as a result of the Spanish Civil War. 

Perhaps his family history was behind his controversial statement on the South African World Cup. 

“Catalonia won the World Cup," he claimed. "Spain won it with 10 Barcelona players in the team. Spain did not win the World Cup, Catalonia did. Barcelona won it.”

There was also a buzz to ask him who the best player in the world is: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?

"The best in the world is [PSG's Javier] Pastore," was Cantona's response. 

"He's a special player, always capable of surprising you with something new, something unexpected..."