Pep hails Messi magic

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hailed freescoring playmaker Lionel Messi following the Argentinian’s starring role in last night’s Champions League semi-final first leg win over Real Madrid.

Messi scored both goals in the 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu, the second of which was a brilliant individual effort, to take his tally to an astonishing 52 in all competitions for Barca this season.

It also saw him move up to third in Barca’s all-time list of record goalscorers with 179 strikes, leaving him behind only Cesar Rodriguez (235) and Ladislau Kubala (194).

Speaking after the match, Guardiola said of Messi and his memorable second goal: “It’s not the first time he’s done that, he has a wonderful ability to take players on.

"He’s become the club’s third highest goalscorer at just 23 and at a 100-year-old club, it’s absolutely incredible. We are lucky to have him.”