New manager hails star Messi

Madrid: Barcelona boss Luis Enrique hailed Lionel Messi’s on his return to competitive action after the disappointment of losing the World Cup final as he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Elche on Sunday. “With Leo playing in his element we have taken the first step and now we move onto the second,” said Enrique.

“It is clear that Messi is the best player in the world. He has a unique quality that it is easy to see. Giving assists, scoring goals, pressing, defending, he does everything,” he added.

Messi opened the scoring three minutes before half-time with a trademark left-footed finish, but the hosts briefly looked in trouble when Jaiver Mascherano was sent-off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity moments later.

However, any Barca nerves were settled just a minute into the second-half as Munir El Haddadi doubled their advantage on his senior debut and Messi classily rolled home his second of the game just after the hour mark to round off the scoring.

“If he wanted Messi could be the best defender in the world. We see him do even more difficult things in training against high quality opponents in his teammates,” Enrique added.“He has a magic wand and he will continue being the best in the world as long as he wants,” he added.

Big money summer signings Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic were also making their Barca debuts, but it was their latest wonderkid from the La Masia academy Munir who stole the show.“I am very happy to have made my debut and that the team won the game. It is an honour for me to score and play with Messi,” he said.