Ben Arfa wants to match Messi and Ronaldo

Nice forward Hatem Ben Arfa isn't ruling out the possibility of him reaching the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Newcastle flop surprised everyone this season and helped lead Nice to a fourth place finish in Ligue 1, netting 17 goals in the process.

Despite these impressive performances, the player failed to make the France squad for Euro 2016, however it doesn't seem to have dented his confidence.

"I am far away from reaching the level of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but I still have a number of years to catch them. That is my goal," the 29-year-old told Le Parisien .

"I am not at my best just yet. Everything is possible for me. I feel like I am 24 or 25. I am at an age where I have matured. I have developed and I am ready to take the next step.

"I have found a new strength. I have found peace and tranquillity. I am still getting better and working hard to get there. I am convinced that I will get there.

"There are a lot of similarities between Messi and me, the way we dribble and look out there on the pitch. But we each have our own game.

"I am fully focused on football right now. I had a different focus before. This is all part of my development."

The player's contract runs out at the end of June, and Barcelona and Lyon seem to be the favourites to bring the player in on a free transfer.