MX23RW : Friday, February 7 05:22:33| >> :120:24143:24143:
[monks data]
Attendance: 53,426
Real Betis logo
La Liga
Jan 21, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-5

FT(HT: 0-0)
Rakitic (59'), Messi (64', 80'), Suarez (69', 89')

Ernesto Valverde: 'Lionel Messi the greatest player of all time'

Valverde: 'Messi the greatest of all time'
© Offside
Ernesto Valverde admits that he can now "enjoy" watching Lionel Messi in action, having seen the Barcelona forward take his La Liga goals tally for the season to 19.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has told supporters to "enjoy" watching Lionel Messi while they can, as there will never be another player to match his ability.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner added another couple of goals to his growing collection on Sunday evening in Barca's 5-0 rout of Real Betis at the Villamarin.

Valverde insists that Messi has earned the right to be described as the best talent to have ever kicked a ball, and does not expect anyone to rival his status as the greatest of all time once he eventually calls it a day.

Speaking to reporters after the Betis win, the former Athletic Bilbao chief said: "You have to enjoy him. We have been able to live his era. I have suffered because of him and I know what that is like.

"Now I can enjoy it. It is an event to watch him every day. He is the best player there is and there ever will be."

Messi has netted 19 goals in La Liga this season, putting him three in front of teammate Luis Suarez in the top-scorers chart.

ID:316841: cacheID:316841:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2136:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ernesto Valverde pictured in 2016
Read Next:
Valverde: 'Barca players lacked composure'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid22154350212949
2Atletico MadridAtletico22146237142348
3Barcelona22143560243645
4Athletic Bilbao22118333201341
5Villarreal22107544331137
6Rayo Vallecano228862624232
7GironaGirona229493130131
8Osasuna227962731-430
9Mallorca2293101928-930
10Real BetisBetis227872528-329
11Real Sociedad2284101819-128
12Sevilla227782430-628
13Celta Vigo2274113135-425
14Getafe225981717024
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2265112736-923
16Leganes225891930-1123
17Espanyol2265112133-1223
18AlavesAlaves2256112534-921
19Valencia2247112237-1519
20Real ValladolidValladolid2243151547-3215


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!