Thiago: It's impossible to play against Messi

The midfielder praised his former team-mate and also revealed how he has tried to improve from watching Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and Xavi

Lionel Messi is never short of admirers and now Thiago Alcantara has heaped praise on his former Barcelona team-mate by claiming it's "impossible" to play against him.

Like Messi, the 24-year-old came through the Catalans' youth system at La Masia, but left for Bayern Munich in 2013 as he went in search of regular first team football.

The pair faced one another in the Champions League semi-finals last season when Barcelona beat the Bundesliga side - who are managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola - 5-3 on aggregate.

Messi was the star man of the tie, scoring twice in the first leg, and after that chastening experience Thiago has admitted stopping him is easier said than done.

He said: "'You want to be better at the things you cannot do so well. So you watch players. But then you watch Messi. The things he does are not impossible for him, but to play against him is impossible."
 Despite leaving Camp Nou before establishing himself in the starting XI, Thiago revealed the lessons of his football education have not been lost on him.

"Xavi was my mirror," he added. "By doing simple things he would make great things happen. He was the one who helped give Barcelona the greatest moments.

"You will never find another like him.

"Iniesta? Look at how the ball never leaves his foot when he runs with it. I try, if possible, to take something from everyone.

"I was created in Barcelona and every midfielder has to touch the ball. You develop your own skills, but the one thing you have to do is move the ball."

Thiago has suffered two serious knee injuries during his time with Bayern and returned from a six-week lay-off in the victory over Ingolstadt on Saturday.