Luis Enrique: 'Lionel Messi is the greatest player ever'

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has hailed Lionel Messi as the "best player in the history of football" following his performance in the last 16 of the Champions League this evening.

The Argentine dazzled against Manchester City in tonight's second leg at the Camp Nou as the Spanish outfit booked their place in the quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Messi has finished second to Cristiano Ronaldo in the last two Ballon d'Or votes, but Enrique believes that he is not only the best in the world today, but also the greatest player to have ever laced up a pair of boots.

"Not just the best in the world. In my opinion, he's the best player in the history of football," he told reporters.

Messi, who is the only player to have won the prestigious Ballon d'Or four times, has scored 43 goals in 40 appearances so far this season.