Messi praises Barca & reveals his pride at seeing La Masia products impress

Lionel Messi has praised Barcelona, ​​describing Hansi Flick's team as 'spectacular'.

Messi spent the vast majority of his illustrious career at Barcelona, ​​joining the club as a teenager and remaining at the club until 2021.

The Argentine star scored an impressive 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona and won a string of trophies.

Now at Inter Miami, Messi continues to follow Barcelona's fortunes and has been very impressed with Flick's side this season.

Barcelona are currently six points clear at the top of LaLiga, despite having played a game more than their nearest challengers Real Madrid.

They have also done well in the Champions League and are in sixth place, having won three and lost one of their four matches so far.

Messi told TV3: “I am extremely proud to see how the first team is representing the club at the moment.

'This Barça side is spectacular, although it doesn't surprise me. It's nothing new, it's always happened, at least since I joined the club as a 13-year-old.

“It's spectacular that the kids have had opportunities over the last two years and when you put confidence in them, they respond like that because they know the club better than anyone else.

'From an early age they are used to playing this way. If you give them the chance, these things happen, just like in our time.”

Flick was delighted with Messi's comments about Barcelona. He said: 'It is an honor to have Barça's best player in the [club’s] history says this and that he follows how the team plays and how the young players play.”

Barcelona's squad features a host of players who have spent time at La Masia, including Inaki Pena, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, Ansu Fati, Pau Victor and Lamine Yamal.

The Catalan club are back in action on Saturday evening when they take on Celta Vigo on the pitch.