Sevilla's Vitolo dubs Messi as 'best player in history' post La Liga heroics

Sevilla forward Vitolo described Argentina star striker Lionel Messi as the best player ever to take to a football pitch after the latter guided Barcelona to a hard-fought 2-1 win in the La Liga clash between the two sides on Monday.

It was Sevilla who made the breakthrough first when Vitolo punished a defensive mistake from Sergi Roberto to put his side deservedly 1-0 ahead.

However, Messi levelled the scoring for the Spanish giants in the closing stages of the first half by netting his 27th goal against Sevilla before he set up striker Luis Saurez for the winner in the 61st minute of the match.

Reflecting on the clash, Vitolo said that although they tried hard to pressurize Messi in the first half of the match, the Argentine was on another level in the second half of the crucial La Liga clash.

"Messi was no surprise, he is the best player in history and he knows how to run a game. In the first half we pressured him well but in the second he made the difference," Vitolo was quoted as saying by goal.com.

In spite of the narrow defeat, the 27-year-old could not stop himself from speaking warm words for coach Jorge Sampaoli, who he credited with always seeking victory regardless of the opponent.

"Adapting to his ideas was only a matter of time. He wants to dominate games regardless of the opponent," he said

With the win, second-placed Barcelona have now narrowed the gap with leaders Real Madrid to two points heading into the international break.

Meanwhile, Sevilla are standing at fifth position, with six wins from 11 games they have played.