Source: Daily_Mail
Lionel Messi IS human: Pep Guardiola salutes superstar
Impressed: Barca boss Guardiola[LNB]Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola chose to praise the human side of Lionel Messi after the Argentina winger destroyed Arsenal with a remarkable four-goal performance at the Nou Camp. [LNB]Messi was the name on everybody's lips in the Catalan capital as Barca overcame an early Arsenal goal to triumph 4-1 on the night and advance, in some style, to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the third year running. [LNB]The brilliant Argentinian struck a superb first half hat-trick to switch the balance of power in a tie Arsenal had momentarily threatened to win, before adding a fantastic fourth goal in the closing stages to seal a memorable night for Guardiola's side.[LNB]Those goals, the first time Messi has struck four in a competitive match, took his tally to 39 in a season where Barca have at least 11 games still to play. [LNB] And Guardiola, who recently claimed to be lost for words to describe the brilliance of his star player, chose to focus on the player's human aspect while all around were marvelling at the latest chapter in the consecration of a truly wonderful footballer. [LNB]'The good thing is about Messi is that tomorrow he will get up and look for the affection of his people and his team-mates,' he said. [LNB]'I like the love he has for football and his anonymous character,' the Barca coach added. [LNB]For Messi, it was a satisfactory night, but there was no question of wild celebrations or believing the hype. [LNB] Superb: Messi chips his third over Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia[LNB]It was put to him that a similar performance would be handy on Saturday in the vital league match at Real Madrid. And Messi was as honest and as humble as ever. [LNB]He said: 'I don't think so, we would be happy with any kind of win, a 1-0. We are happy to go through but we have to keep going.' [LNB]Guardiola added: 'Leo was brilliant and he was decisive.'[LNB]But asked how he would describe the performance of a player who is still only 22, the Barca coach said words were insufficient. [LNB]'You have to see it - it is not something you can describe because you have to see it to believe it,' he said. [LNB] Barcelona 4 Arsenal 1: Magical Lionel Messi hits four to wreck Gunners' Euro dream as champions cruise into last four'Phenomenal' Lionel Messi gave us a lesson, laments Nicklas BendtnerBarcelona batter Arsenal: All the stats and facts from the Nou CampBarcelona's beautiful form of torture shows Wenger the crushing realityUnstoppable: Wenger hails Barca's brilliant Messi after Nou Camp routARSENAL FC
