Absolute Klaass! Messi shows Ajax midfielder that there's plenty to admire

The Argentine set up one, scored another and also saw a strike ruled out for offside as he sent a message to the Ajax youngster who questioned him before kick-off
Write off Lionel Messi at your peril. Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen revealed ahead of the match against Barcelona on Tuesday night that the Argentine attacker was no role model for him. But the four-time Ballon d'Or winner made a mockery of those words with another peerless performance - and he was only on the pitch for 65 minutes.

Messi is on the verge of breaking La Liga's all-time goalscoring record and is also closing in on Raul's mark of 71 goals in the Champions League. When it comes to scoring goals, he has left everyone except Cristiano Ronaldo in his wake in recent seasons, while this term his creativity and assists make him an example to follow in terms of playmaking, too.

"If Messi doesn't ask for my shirt, I won't ask for his," Klaassen said ahead of this game. "He is a great player, but he isn't an example to me."But he should be and he showed just why. A trademark run and defence-splitting pass set up Neymar for the game's opening goal. It was a fine finish by the Brazilian, but the move was all about Messi. And the Argentine made it two later in the first half as he latched onto an Andres Iniesta pass and scored the second.
Messi had the ball in the net in the second period as well and remained a constant threat during his time on the pitch, completing five key passes and three dribbles.

Man of the match by a mile, the Argentine took his tally to 69 goals in the Champions League to tie with Ronaldo and sit just two behind Raul. Any young forward should be looking and learning - Klaassen included.

Ajax's attacking midfielder is one of the most promising players at the Amsterdam club and big things are expected of him by the Dutch side, yet the 21-year-old will do well to reassess his opinion of Messi after Tuesday's game because studying a footballer often described as the greatest in the game's history can only help him to develop and grow as a player.

Not that Messi will lose any sleep, of course. He has more important things on his mind right now - like the Clasico against Real Madrid on Saturday evening. Klaassen, one suspects, will be watching.