Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has piled the praise on Lionel Messi once again after claiming he is the “best player there is and there ever will be” after his performance in the 5-0 win over Real Betis.

The Spanish giants moved 11 points clear at the top of the La Liga table, with Atletico Madrid only able to draw with Girona on Saturday.

Midfielder Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring in the 59th minute and that opened the floodgates at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Messi grabbed two goals and produced another sensational display and Valverde was quick to praise the fan favourite.

He told reporters: “You have to enjoy him. We have been able to live his era. I have suffered because of him and I know what that is like. Now I can enjoy it.

“It is an event to watch him every day. He is the best player there is and there ever will be.”

Former Liverpool man Luis Suarez also grabbed a brace as he scored his 100th goal for the club and he was also singled out for special praise by Valverde.

He added: “The people who came to the stadium could enjoy it, they had the chance to see the best player in history. “He plays each game with such detail. He’s spectacular.”

Barcelona are next in action against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey and they will overlook to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Valverde’s men will have home advantage and they are priced at 6.00 to win 3-0 on Thursday night.