They meet again, and Luis Enrique praises Lionel Messi after so many years

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has once again vocalized his profound admiration for Lionel Messi, unequivocally declaring the Argentine superstar as the "best football player in history." These strong sentiments come after years of shared history between the two, from their highly successful spell together at Barcelona to their more recent encounters as rivals.

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Speaking to the press, Luis Enrique underscored Messi's unparalleled longevity and consistent high performance as key factors in his assessment. "For me, without a doubt, Lionel Messi is the best football player in history," stated the Spanish tactician. "Messi's prime has lasted 10-15 years, he’s the benchmark for the best player in history. His longevity over so many years, competing at the highest level every three days."

The PSG coach's praise wasn't limited to Messi's match-day prowess. He also provided a glimpse into the extraordinary talent witnessed behind the scenes. "I’ve seen Messi do things in training that belong to another breed, incredible things," Luis Enrique revealed, highlighting the sheer brilliance that often goes unnoticed by the public eye.

Beyond the accolades, Luis Enrique also offered a pragmatic perspective on how to contend with a player of Messi's caliber. His analysis underscored the futility of individual marking against such a formidable opponent, stressing the necessity of a unified team effort.

"To be honest, if we want to stop Lionel Messi, it’s not possible to do it with just one player. Because if we try that way, we’re dead," he explained, emphasizing the danger of attempting to nullify Messi's impact through singular defensive assignments. "We need to defend collectively. Everyone must be ready to defend, everyone must be ready to have, pass, and keep the ball."

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Luis Enrique's strategy against Messi is clear: a cohesive, well-drilled unit is the only viable approach. "We have to do it as a team, not individually, because Leo Messi can dribble past any player," he concluded, reiterating the collective responsibility required to mitigate the threat posed by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. His remarks serve as a testament to Messi's enduring impact on the game and the unique challenges he presents to opposing teams.