Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Lionel Messi after Wednesday's Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Argentine found the net five times as a 7-1 triumph on the night gave Barca a 10-2 aggregate win in their last-16 tie.

Guardiola now wants to stage a celebration for the forward as another eight goals will see him top the club's all-time goalscoring list.

"This was a special night for Messi, we have to prepare a big party for him the day he breaks Cesar Rodriguez's record," Guardiola told reporters. "I want the entire Camp Nou to pay homage to him the way he deserves and acknowledge all his merits.

"I will always be able to say that I coached Messi. He teaches us to compete and with his behaviour.

"The throne belongs to him and it is only up to him to decide when he leaves it."

Barca next travel to Racing Santander in La Liga on Sunday.

Written by
Jack Prescott