Lionel Messi can play wherever he wants for Barcelona – Luis Enrique

ByThe Editorial Team

Published 27/01/2017 at 08:39 GMT

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has praised Lionel Messi’s versatility following his side’s victory over Real Sociedad in Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final.

The Argentine forward is usually utilised out wide on the right for Barca, but Enrique opted to give Messi a more central role during the match at the Nou Camp.

Messi starred for the Catalan club, scoring one and assisting two as Barcelona ran out 5-2 winners to secure a 6-2 aggregate win and advance to the semi-finals.

And following the match, Enrique spoke highly of Barcelona’s talisman, saying:

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"Messi can play wherever he wants, in fact in certain matches him coming through the middle has been decisive for us.

"When Leo has the ball you know you have to make moves because the pass will come."

Denis Suarez was also in fine form, scoring two goals in a virtuoso performance which also earned him high praise from the Barcelona coach.

Barcelona's Denis Suarez celebrates scoring their first goal against Real Sociedad.

Image credit: Reuters

"He played great," Enrique added. "One of his major virtues is his ability to penetrate from the second line and his presence in the penalty area."

And when asked if Suarez could be the long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta, Enrique responded with, “He could be, why not?”

"Players have to evolve. He has to improve, but Iniesta is Harry Potter, he makes magic, and it's difficult to find another. But Denis is on the right path and I hope he can be."

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