Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde lauds mercurial Argentine, who scored a brace in team's 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis in La Liga encounter
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal against Real Betis during a La Liga match on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal against Real Betis during a La Liga match on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde insists Lionel Messi is the best player there is and there ever will be after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored a brace in Catalan giants 5-0 rout of Real Betis in La Liga encounter on Sunday. Messi took his tally to 19 league goals for the season, while Luis Suarez also netted twice after Ivan Rakitic's opener. "You have to enjoy him," he added. "We have been able to live his era. I have suffered because of him and I know what that is like. Now I can enjoy it. It is an event to watch him every day. He is the best player there is and there ever will be."
Ernesto Valverde
Messi's accomplice Luis Suarez, who scored his 100th goal for the club, added: "The people who came to the stadium could enjoy it, they had the chance to see the best player in history. He plays each game with such detail. He's spectacular." Even Real Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan felt Messi makes football better. "It's spectacular. In the first half he had not appeared. He seemed to be walking," Adan was quoted saying by Goal.com. "But he takes four balls to score two goals and give two assists. He makes this sport better."
The title looks like heading to the Nou Camp but Valverde says he is not getting ahead of himself. "We will continue going to win the matches, without speculating. There are 18 games left and it's a lot. But every game we win will be a very big step." Valverde said.'
25
The minimum no. of goals Lionel Messi has scored in each of the last 10 seasons in all competitions - only La Liga player to do so
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