The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 legend has admired the Argentine international, stating that he is a role model for every aspiring youngster in football.
Cruyff was appreciative of the Barca number 10 and expressed that a player of his skill and talent is rare and should be emulated by those who dream of being professional footballers.
The Rosario native has broken yet another record as he has become Barca’s all time highest scorer and the retired veteran hailed Messi’s record-breaking accolades for La Blaugrana.
As Pep Guardiola’s men stepped out on the field to play Granada at home during midweek, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Leo-c22011 was only two goals short from breaking the record previously held by Cesar Rodriguez.
To the joy of the Nou Camp faithful, not only did Barcelona secure a vital victory over Granada, their star man managed to score a hat-trick, taking his tally to 234 goals.
Although it was a hard fought contest, the hosts were able to ease past Granada as the game ended with the final score of 5-3.
Widely believed to be the best player in the world, Messi has now cemented his name in the history of La Blaugrana.
Having joined the club at a very young, the Argentine always managed to impress his mentors with his talent. Being a graduate of La Masia, he had little difficulty in breaking into the senior team as a 17-year-old.
After joining the first team in 2005, the 24-year-old has only grown better and better.
"For football, Messi is a gem because he is a role model for every child in the world," Cruyff was quoted as saying by Catalunya Radio.
"Barca play a type of football which delights everyone in the world and they have a coach with great human qualities, something that is extremely important nowadays. Messi has a lot of quality and he fits in very well in the team," he added.
Messi also became the third player in the history of football to win three Ballon d’Or trophies three times in a row.
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