asked by the reporter in the article. It just said that some one perpetuated a notion. I would argue that from this article alone one could legitimately interpret B.O.'s statement to mean that he is already more talented at that particular moment in time than any RM ever. "I'm better than any other guy that's gone on a mission." (I AM better) not will be better. He could have said he was rated higher, but he said he himself is better.
And I think this makes as much sense as the "potential" interpretation.