Messi the best in the world – Guardiola

(GSM) – Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola believes that Lionel Messi is the best player in the world today.

Messi was once again in sensational form as Barcelona thrashed Panathinaikos 5-1 at the Camp Nou in their UEFA Champions League opener.

Despite missing a penalty, Messi scored two goals and led Barcelona to an easy win that is surely to signal a warning for Champions League-hopeful teams.

And Guardiola believes Messi’s ‘amateur spirit’ sets him beyond every other good footballer in the world.

“Messi is the best player in the world, he has something different that is beyond words,” said Guardiola. “There are very good players out there but he is beyond everyone.

“When he missed the penalty he lowered his head and had a word with himself. He is so self-demanding that any slip up causes him sadness and hurt.

“He has this amateur spirit of always wanting to play.”

Messi, still only 23, is already the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in Europe having netted an impressive tally of 27 Champions League goals.