Barcelona full back Jordi Alba joined his team mates and manager Ernesto Valverde in hailing the genius of Lionel Messi, after the Argentina international secured a 3-0 win over Liverpool.
The Catalan side have one foot in the final after Messi's two goals – which brought his Barcelona total to 600 – sealed a comprehensive victory over Jurgen Klopp's side in the Champions League semi final at Camp Nou.
Alba, who assisted the first goal for Luis Suarez, has encouraged the football world to appreciate Messi while he remains at his peak.
"Messi is simply unique.
"We are never going to find another player like him, and Barcelona will miss him when he retires."
The Spanish international added that any Barcelona fan or supporter would have taken this result before kick off, but warned they must remain vigilant ahead of the second leg at Anfield.
"The attitude of the players this season has been incredible.
"We knew the importance of tonight, and to get this result is fantastic/
"However we are not celebrating in the dressing room, as we know there is still work to do.
"We cannot go to Anfield with the mentality of having already won, we must go with the right mentality to win and progress to the final."
