Alan Pardew: 'Hatem Ben Arfa is like Lionel Messi'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has likened his midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa to three-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

French international Ben Arfa has received a number of plaudits as a result of his recent performances for the Magpies.

Discussing the 25-year-old's ability, Pardew claimed that he could see elements of Messi, as well as Liverpool frontman Luis Suarez.

"With the ball at his feet, he's magic," Pardew told BBC Sport. "As magic as Luis Suarez or Lionel Messi at times.

"We had to work with him to understand exactly what he's about. He has got a special talent, we know he's special."

Ben Arfa joined Newcastle on a permanent basis from Marseille last summer.