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Attendance: 43,570

La Liga

Oct 28, 2017 at 7.45pm UK

Athletic Bilbao
0-2
Barcelona

FT(HT: 0-1)

Messi (36'), Paulinho (90')

Ernesto Valverde: 'Barcelona lucky to have Lionel Messi'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 29 October 2017

Valverde: 'Barcelona lucky to have Messi'

Argentina international forward Lionel Messi is currently "the best player in the world", according to his Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde.

Ernesto Valverde has heaped praise on 'difference-maker' Lionel Messi, admitting that Barcelona are fortunate to have him in their ranks.

The Argentina international took his goals tally for the season to 16 in 15 appearances on Saturday evening by opening the scoring against Athletic Bilbao, while also hitting the post.

Valverde was quick to hail Messi as the world's finest player after another majestic display from his little maestro at San Mames, five days on from coming second to Cristiano Ronaldo in the FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year category.

"Messi could have scored another goal if the post hadn't got in the way, but he's incredible," he told reporters. "He can make the difference at any moment. It was a spectacular goal. We're so lucky that the best player in the world plays for us."

Paulinho also registered late on in the Basque Country as Barcelona maintained their La Liga title charge with a 2-0 victory.