Champions League
Messi hailed as 'best ever'
2012-03-08 15:19
Barcelona - Reaction to Lionel Messi's five-goal performance in Barcelona's 7-1 Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday:
"I can't remember the last time I scored five goals, so I'm very happy. It's nice to score five goals." - Lionel Messi.
"He's the best (ever), there is no other like him. The numbers speak for themselves. One day he'll score six. We'll never see a player like him again. He is one of a kind." - Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
"His class is just extraordinary, there's no discussion. Without Messi, Barca is the best team and with him, they are in another galaxy." - Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt.
"Messi is a joke. For me the best ever." - Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, on Twitter.
"Just watched the Messi show. ?Unreal" - Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong, on Twitter.
"Was that a (Champions League) game or a game of Playstation for Messi? Untouchable! If he scores six goals does he get to take home two balls?" — Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.
"We have run out of adjectives for him. He is the best football player in the world, as I have said many times. When he finishes his career he may be the considered the best ever. He deserves all the accolades he receives. He doesn't talk a lot, he does his talking on the pitch. To be just seven goals away from the club's top scorer is amazing. It is crazy what this guy does. He makes it easy, he always appears in key moments, he always wants to play, he is a winner. Leo is incomparable, he is unlike any other player. No other player decides a game like him, if he doesn't score, he is there to give the assist. He participates in every goal. He is a wonder." - Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
"He's the best player in football's history. We've never seen anyone like him." - Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
"At the end of the game I had to ask him if he had scored four or five goals. The truth is that he gets better with each passing season and he will continue making history because he doesn't tire. He is a constant reference in attack, he always gets involved and is unpredictable with the ball. We are lucky to have him with us." - Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
"It seems as if we're already used to Leo. He's an example to follow and I learn so much from him every day. He's at a whole other level." - Barcelona forward Cristian Tello.
"The Little Hand of God." Spanish newspaper Marca's headline, playing on former Argentina great Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal scored against England in the 1986 World Cup.