LİONEL MESSİ

Barcelona are back on form, and their dynamic Brazilian full-back believes that Messi deserves much of the credit.

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup: Daniel Alves, Brazil v South Africa (PA)

Daniel Alves believes that Lionel Messi should complete a clean sweep of player of the year awards after a impressive 12 months with Barcelona.

The Brazilian believes that his team-mate is the best in the world. Messi helped the Blaugrana to win a unique treble last term and continued to grow in stature.

This season has seen no change in the young Argentine. He has returned to form for Barca and on Tuesday night shone once more, with two goals and an assist against Racing Santander.

“To be the best in the world, you have to be different, and Messi is in every match. We’re hoping he wins all the awards as best player,” Alves was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.

Alves believes that as well as Messi returning to form, the team is also beginning to play like they did at their height last term.

“We’re rediscovering the tone that perhaps we lacked at the beginning. We are improving all the time, which is our aim,” he continued.

“We moved the ball more and created more chances, as well as scoring goals, which is the most important [thing]. The guys up front played very well.”