Frenkie de Jong heaps praise on Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi

Frenkie de Jong has praised Lionel Messi's contribution for Barcelona during their 3-2 victory at Real Betis on Sunday evening.

Despite twice trailing at the Benito Villamarin Stadium, the Catalan giants were able to record maximum points, a return which keeps the club within three points of leaders Real Madrid.

Messi provided the assist for all three of Barcelona's goals, leading to De Jong to talk up the impact of the club legend.

Speaking to AS, De Jong said: "It's easy to play by his side because he gives you balls into space, it's not that I have a special connection, but he gives you good balls in space.

"It was very important to win the game and that was not easy, although in the end we could have won by more goals, for the penalty they didn't give Messi. It was clear, he caught him and pushed him.

Messi has contributed 14 goals and 11 assists from just 18 outings in Spain's top flight this season.