Lionel Messi was on top form again at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night when Barcelona crushed Arsenal 4 – 1 in their Champions League encounter.

You know a player is very good when the opposition’s manager hits world headline praising him. Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s manger is singing Lionel Messi’s praises at the top of his voice this morning in spite of the fact that the Argentinian national wiped his team out of the Champions league single handedly with a crushing 4 -1  victory.

The night started off OK for Arsenal when Nicklas Bendtner fired the Gunners into a shock lead on 18 minutes. But their joy was short-lived as Messi struck a brilliant 21-minute hat-trick, before compounding Arsenal’s misery with a fourth late on.

In the guardian.co. uk, Wenger likened Barça’s brilliant Argentinian to a computer creation. “He’s like a PlayStation,” he said. I think he can take advantage of every mistake you make. Barcelona are a very good side but of course they have Messi who can make the difference at any moment in the game.”

Wenger also believes the 22-year-old can go on to become one of the great players of all-time. “He is very young but he can achieve a lot. There are not many players who can score four goals like he did.

“He has six or seven great years ahead of him and he can become unbelievable. Touch wood nothing happens to him,” he said.

And as  Barcelona striker Lionel Messi takes his tally for the season to 39, he stressed the importance of team effort in his brilliant finishing after his four goals against Arsenal last night.

Source: vuvuzelasouthafrica.co.za