Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova says Lionel Messi never fails to surprise after his double sent them into the UEFA Champions League last 16 and moved him closer to Gerd Muller’s goalscoring record.
Barca defeated Russian outfit Spartak Moscow 3-0 on Tuesday, with Messi netting twice in the first half after Dani Alves had put them ahead on 16 minutes.
The Argentine’s goals took his tally for the calendar year to 80, just five shy of Gerd Muller’s record with Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
The double also took Messi’s career tally in the Champions League to 56, equal with ex-PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, while he’s 15 behind all-time leading goalscorer Raul.
Vilanova was full of praise for his star man following the win in Moscow, but not only for the Argentine’s goals.
“Each and every day, Lionel Messi doesn’t fail to surprise with his ambition and his eagerness to win and help out his team-mates,” he said.
“We always talk about the goals he scores but we also have to say that at a tactical level he’s excellent too.”