Lionel Messi on level above Barca team-mates, says stunned Lee Wilkie

Jul 27 2008 By Rob Fairburn

DAZED Dundee United skipper Lee Wilkie reckons Lionel Messi is a level above even his Barcelona superstar team-mates.

The 21-year-old Argentinian ran riot during his second-half appearance at Tannadice - notching a hat-trick in just 24 minutes.

Wilkie admitted he could little to stem the flow as Messi ripped United apart with his amazing footwork and balance.

The shell shocked Arabs defender said: "Just seeing Messi in the flesh makes you appreciate what a wonderful player he is.

"He is one of the best I have ever seen or played against. His composure and confidence were just amazing.

"He was on a different level to anyone else on the pitch, including the Barca team.

"Not many players can perform like that that and he is easily one of the best in the world.

"He is the total package and that is the difference."

Up until Messi's introduction Wilkie felt the Arabs were holding their own against the Spanish giants.

He said: "We kept the ball reasonably well and were giving them problems.

"To go a goal up was great but it was disappointing to concede the equaliser so soon. We lost a slack couple of goals.

"The first half was positive while the second wasn't so good but we will learn from that.

"We felt it was important to begin well and we wanted to have a good 15 to 20 minutes. If we had started losing goals at that stage it would have been a struggle so we were doing well.

"But we tired in the second half and with the likes of Messi in that kind of form it was always going to be difficult.

"Still it was a great experience playing one of the best teams in the world and I'm sure the fans enjoyed the occasion too."

United had got off to a flier when Ghanian Prince Bauben headed the opener from Warren Feeney's cross in the 25th minute.

But 30 seconds later they failed to clear their lines and Thierry Henry slammed the ball home after his first effort was parried by keeper Lukasz Zaluska.

However the French striker, who scored the only goal when the teams met in a pre-season friendly last year, was also raving about team-mate Messi.

Henry said: "You can see Barcelona are a different team when Messi is not playing.

"We were without him in the first half and doing okay but when he came on he was just sensational.

"The pitch was dry and difficult to play on unlike Thursday night's game at Murrayfield.

"And United pressed us a lot which also made it hard going.

"I am enjoying playing in the middle though and now I have learned Spanish I feel settled. I am looking forward to the season."

Henry could have helped himself to a hat-trick in the first half but sent one effort over the bar and a volley yards wide.

Barca made eight changes at the interval with Henry getting to see Messi rip the United defence to shreds. He notched a hat-trick and Samuel Eto'o also got in on the scoring act during a 45-minute masterclass that will live long in the memories of United fans.

Their team may have copped a hiding but they were quick to appreciate the class of Messi who won the man of the match award.