Corrasco: Messi Is Better Now Than He Was In 2009

The former Barcelona winger believes the Argentine is more dangerous right now than he was in Barca's first treble-winning year (2009)

Former Barcelona player Lobo Corrasco has said Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi is better in 2015 than he was in 2009.

In an interview with goal.com, Corrasco said the 28-year-old is a more complete player right now than he was 6 years ago when he helped Barcelona win their first ever treble, a feat repeated last season by the Catalans.

“This Lionel Messi is more complete. He can hurt you 40 metres away from goal, not because he takes the ball and starts dribbling past opponents, but because on top of that he can also create the definitive goal chance.”

“The best player in the world, ahead of my precious Iniesta, Kroos and Isco, who are players that make the final assist, is Leo Messi. I haven't seen anything like him.”

Barcelona struggled during the first half of the season but Messi's sudden gain in form in the second half helped Barca topple Real Madrid as winners of La Liga and won the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

However, Corrasco believes the reason for the Argentine's slow start to the season due to a hectic World Cup 2014 campaign.

“In the moment he (Messi) found himself good physically and mentally, he tried to bring the team together, everybody joined him and from there all talents became stronger,” said the 56-year-old.

Lobo also labelled Messi the “god of football” and used the star's humiliation of Jerome Boateng in the UCL as a reference point.

“The god of football started playing, he is unstoppable when he starts playing. If you think otherwise, ask Boateng or all those fantastic players that face him.”

Finally, Corrasco went on to say Barcelona didn't expect to win the treble but Messi was the major reason Barcelona repeated the feat.

“Barcelona expected good things last season, but not the treble. Matching the magical season of 2009 seemed almost impossible. Messi was the cornerstone of that success.”

Carrasco featured 300 times for the Catalan giants and won an astonishing 10 trophies and also reached the final of the European Championship with Spain in 1984.