Rome, Dec 16 (IANS): Argentine forward Paulo Dybala has said the first time he played with his compatriot star forward Lionel Messi for their national football team was an unforgettable experience.

In an interview published on Thursday by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, the Juventus player said that Messi was his idol and he dreamed of playing with the FC Barcelona talisman.

"The first time (with Argentina) was an unforgettable experience, the top was an exchange of passes when I set him up to shoot," Dybala recalled.

The 23-year-old considers that Messi and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo are the best footballers in the world, reports Efe news agency.

Dybala did not rule out that he himself could reach the level of Messi and Ronaldo, and even be a nominee for the Ballon d'Or.

He revealed that he thinks about the Ballon d'Or and it was "amazing" to be shortlisted among 30 nominees for the award, although he did not get any votes in this year's edition.

Dybala added that he now wants to "go higher," noting that it is a unique feeling to wear the Argentine national team jersey.