Wednesday 14 September 2016 11:10, UK
Luis Enrique has claimed Lionel Messi is the best player in the world in every position after his Champions League hat-trick against Celtic.
The Argentina international's goals gave him a record sixth treble in the competition and the 36th of his career.
Messi still trails Cristiano Ronaldo by seven goals in Europe's premier club competition but Barcelona manager Enrique thinks he is in a class of his own.
He said: "Messi plays with complete freedom and he can change his position as he wants. He's the best in the world in every position.
"If he plays as a number nine, a number eight or a number six, he's the best in the world. He can judge the perfect pass from 40 yards and put the ball wherever he wants.
"He's total football and we'd be very stupid if we imposed limits on him. For me, he's the best player of all time, both for the number of goals he scores and for his footballing vision."
Barcelona were utterly dominant against Brendan Rodgers' Celtic, taking a lead through Messi's opener less than three minutes into the game.
They did concede a penalty as they led 1-0 but Moussa Dembele's poor effort was saved by keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the man who had initially brought him down.
After making made eight changes to the team which lost 2-1 to Alaves at the weekend, Enrique was happy with the response he got from his side as they inflicted Celtic's record Europe defeat.
He added: "It was a spectacle from start to finish, the team enjoyed themselves and so did the supporters. It's a great welcome back to the Champions League.
"We did so many things well. We were great in our pressing and in recovering the ball after losing it. We were intense and it's a great night for the fans, rounded off by the record (from Messi).
"The game could have changed but we will work hard to improve on our mistakes - but at the level we played at it would have been difficult (for any opponent)."
Andres Iniesta came off the bench to score Barcelona's fourth goal with a stunning 15-yard volley and was impressed both with Messi and how the team responded to that Alaves loss.
The Spanish midfielder said: "We came off a defeat that hurt us a lot for the way in which it came about.
"But there is always an opportunity to quickly change that image, those sensations in the next games and the team did that from the first minute. We very efficient and created a lot of chances.
"It is difficult to say anything about him (Messi) which hasn't been said. In every game he surprises you with new things. There is only one Leo, he is unique."
