Lionel Messi has evolved into the 'total footballer', says Barcelona coach Luis Enrique
Wednesday 25 January 2017 17:26, UK
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has paid tribute to Lionel Messi and claims he has evolved into the "total footballer".
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently in contract talks over a new deal with the Catalan giants, with the club's technical secretary Robert Fernandez saying the negotiations are progressing "very well".
Argentina captain Messi has scored 28 goals in 26 appearances for Barcelona this season despite taking up a deeper role in recent years to accommodate strike partners Neymar and Luis Suarez, and Luis Enrique says the forward's intelligence will serve him well for years to come.
"Messi's footballing evolution is beyond any doubt, and the process happened because of his maturity. Before he was almost our only goalscorer but he's evolved into a total footballer," he said.
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"He's capable of doing anything in attack or defence, as he's a very intelligent player he will compensate for any possible weaknesses he may end up experiencing in a very far away future when his physical condition declines.
"With the type of player he is he doesn't need much strength because he's able to play with one or two touches, he knows where to run to receive the ball and how to play without the ball and vary his position.
"When you add all that with the technical and physical qualities he has then you get the player we see every day, which is a unique player."
Barcelona host Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Thursday and do so with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg after beating the Basques away from home for the first time since 2007, but they will be without Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta through injury.
"It would be an error to think we've already got the job done. Against an opponent of this magnitude, it's a very dangerous game," Luis Enrique said.
"The players are aware of that and so are our fans. We've always struggled to beat Real Sociedad, especially away, and they will make things complicated for us. After the first leg they have nothing to lose."
