Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has heaped praise on superstar Lionel Messi, calling the Argentine sensation a 'total footballer'.
Messi, 29, has scored 327 La Liga goals for Barcelona in 364 games, a quite magnificent record that will struggle to be broken for many years to come.
However, at the age of 29 Luis Enrique believes he has now evolved to not only a goalscorer, but a total footballer with the ability to both attack and defend.
"His evolution is beyond doubt, it has been a process helped by his maturity as a person. There were years in which he was a goalscorer, but now he is a total footballer, capable of everything in attack and defence,"Sportquote Enrique as saying.
"Because he's so intelligent he will be able to overcome the possible physical shortcomings he may face in the very distant future.
Luis Enrique: Lionel Messi ha evolucionado como futbolista total, es capaz de hacer todo�. https://t.co/UDqYGVEOk6 pic.twitter.com/kfTTwCjBUo
"He is the prototype of a very strong player, physically, because he needs a bit of physicality to find space, play without the ball. And then you add his technical quality and you have, as we see every day, a unique player."
Messi and co will have to be on top form on Thursday night as they take on Real Sociedad in the Copa Del Rey.
They do hold a 1-0 lead from the first-leg but Real Madrid's shockexit from the competition on Wednesday proves that anything can happen.