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Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman praised Lionel Messi as the most important player in the club’s illustrious history after scoring two goals in his record 767th game.
The 33-year-old scored his team’s first and fourth goals and Barça climbed to second place in the table after a complete 4-1 victory over Huesca in La Liga. Messi equaled Xavi’s all-time record in the Barcelona jersey, a career that includes winning 34 trophies and now scores 661 goals since making his debut in 2004, with 27 so far this season.
“I can’t say more about Leo,” Koeman told a news conference. “The level he has had for many years, many games. He has equaled Xavi and on Sunday in principle he will surpass him. He is the most important man in the history of Barça. Fortunately, he is still with us. “
Messi put Barcelona ahead in the 13th minute before Antoine Griezmann doubled the hosts’ count with 11 minutes before half-time. In the final moments of the first half, Huesca received a penalty in the VAR review for a foul on Rafa Mir, who also dispatched the penalty to cut Barcelona’s advantage in half.
Messi then became a supplier for Barcelona’s third, which Óscar Mingueza led home for his first club goal and the Argentine completed the scoring by dying.
Koeman added: “I think he has shown that he is the best player in the world. The first goal he scored was fantastic and he deserves to be the center of attention for this team. The team is confident. We cannot lose more points because we have already lost enough ”.
The result moved the Catalans four points out of first place as they chased the pace-setting Atlético de Madrid.
Teenager Pedri, who was called up to the Spanish national team for the first time on Monday, also praised Messi.
“Playing alongside Leo is an absolute joy. I enjoy going to training every day, ”said the 18-year-old. “Whenever I succeed, I try to pass him the pass because every time he touches the ball something happens. It’s crazy what he’s accomplishing. He is the best player in the world “.
