PSG look to shackle Barca ‘genius’ Messi

Paris St Germain forward Lucas Moura has described Lionel Messi as a “genius” but knows the Argentina ace is not the only Barcelona player his side need to be concerned about when the two teams clash in the Parc de Princes in Paris tonight.

Messi earned himself another place in the record books on Saturday after scoring for the 19th successive Primera Division game during Barca’s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo.

In doing so he became the first player to net against every other side in the Spanish top flight in consecutive matches, while taking his season tally in La Liga to 42. Brazil international Lucas admits he is a big admirer of his fellow South American but is keen to point out Barca are no one-man team.

“Messi is a genius, that says it all. I’m a big fan of Messi. He’s the best player in the world right now and one of the best that I’ve seen play,” he said.

“It’s also true that to get to the level that he’s got to, he’s had high-quality team-mates by his side.

“They have a very solid defence and players who can make things tough for you in the middle of the pitch like Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and the indefatigable Dani Alves. They are all great players, Barcelona have a team full of great players.”

Having overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit to knock out AC Milan in the previous round, Barca will go into their last-eight showdown with PSG in confident mood. PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is available to play tonight after UEFA halved a two-match ban for his sending off against Valencia.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova travelled with the team to France after two months in New York undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy following surgery on his parotid gland in December.