La Liga: Lionel Messi never fails to surprise us, says Barcelona coach Valverde

Lionel Messi

Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona coach admitted on Saturday that Lionel Messi never fails to surprise him as the Argentine maestro scored twice, including a cheeky free-kick, in the 6-1 comeback win over Girona. The La Liga leaders overcame going a goal down to cruise to a victory which gave them a 10-point advantage at the top with a Luis Suarez hat-trick and debut league goal for Philippe Coutinho ensuring the three points. "It's difficult to get used to, especially because we're talking about a player about whom we say we've seen it all, but Messi always surprises you," said Valverde.

Messi, who now has 30 goals in all competitions this season, scored from a free-kick which bamboozled Girona when he coaxed the ball along the floor instead of over the top and into the net. "We all expected to see how he would get it over the wall but he hits it under. You see it and you think it's easy. Leo makes it look easy, but it's not easy," said the coach.

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