Filipe Luis has reflected that facing Lionel Messi is a motivation for him as a player and a challenge that can only help him improve.
Atletico Madrid are preparing for a trip out to the League leaders this Sunday evening, with Messi again taking attention for his world record of 88 goals so far managed this calendar year.
“It motivates me to face a player like him. In these games, you grow,” he told reporters as part of the pre-match build-up.
“I feel better for such challenges. I am relaxed and very focused. It often happens that in this game the team plays well.”
The full-back scored in midweek and enthused at having the Calderon crowd chant his name.
“I feel much more important now than when I first arrived at the club. I feel the team is solid and I feel comfortable.
“I have yet to reach the prime of my career and I aim to work further to achieve my main goal, which is to return to my national team.
“Now we face Barcelona, which will be complicated. We have our options though. We hope that Falcao will recover, as he is very important, and Adrian too.”
