'The best in the world': Football reacts to Lionel Messi’s latest brilliance

Messi ensured it was a nightmare return for Pep Guardiola as his late double inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp.

It was his second of the night that generated complete awe from those lucky enough to see it - a moment of genius that will stand the test of time. Barcelona were brilliant but one man stole the show and that man was Messi.

Poor Jerome Boateng had a night he would probably like to forget but, alas, so complete was his embarrassment that will be almost impossible.

Messi was asked - almost certainly jokingly - whether he had anything against Boateng but the man himself was concise and modest in the analysis of his own excellence.

Pep Guardiola, though, was keen to stress the excellence of the rest of the Barcelona team whilst also paying tribute to the man he calls Leo.

"I will not say what I think of Messi," Guardiola said. "They are not just Leo, Barca are a very good team. They were very solid, in defence and attack. They have great players, Neymar, Luis Suarez.

"We tried to control the game so that Messi would not participate so much. We were 15 minutes away from a very good result."

Messi is so lavishly talented that he even surprises his own manager.

“What can you say [about Lionel Messi]? He always surprises you.

“He plays every game with the same hunger and ambition, but I prefer the work of the entire team and we kept a clean sheet. The fans enjoyed [what they saw] and were outstanding.”

The Argentine genius was lavished with praise from his peers, too, and rightly so.

Team-mate Luis Suarez simply said “I leave a picture with the best in the world.”

Marc-Andre ter Stegen joined Suarez in his praise:

Jordi Alba added a team photo to the mix

It was not only his own team-mates who were quick to praise the Argentine. When that praise comes from France Baresi then that is high praise indeed.

Former Barcelona man Patrick Kluivert insisted that Messi’s brilliance transcends team allegiances.

Wilfried Zaha, himself a man capable of a footballing trick or two, was left almost speechless.

England’s Jill Scott could not believe her eyes.

Messi’s talent transcends sport – his Turkish Airlines co-ambassador Kobe Bryant had this to say.

Messi and Barcelona take on Bayern on Tuesday and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Argentine bettered this performance.