Messi makes everything different - Redondo

The Argentine hero remains in great form for Barcelona and the former Real Madrid star admits he never tires of praising him

Barcelona star Lionel Messi can change everything "at any moment" in a game, ex-Real Madrid star Fernando Redondo says.

The Argentine sensation has been in as impressive form as ever this season, scoring 33 times and making 11 assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for Barca.

Barcelona and La Liga's top scorer of all-time, the 31-year-old is still at the top of the game and Redondo says he cannot speak too highly of Messi.

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"He makes everything different," Redondo told Goal. "He is the one that unbalances things at any moment, he does it with assists, with a shot from far, close, with a drive, with a cross. It is really out of series. I will not tire of praising him."

The Catalan side are in contention for a European and domestic treble this term, as they prepare for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie with fierce rivals Madrid on Wednesday.

The Clasico clubs will meet at the Santiago Bernabeu again on Saturday when they square off in La Liga, in which Barca have a clear advantage at the top of the table while their fierce rivals are third.

Madrid, however, have returned to form with eight wins from their last 10 matches in all competitions. After a chaotic start to the season that saw coach Julen Lopetegui sacked, Redondo feels his replacement, Santiago Solari, has turned things around.

"Being a Real Madrid coach requires managing the changing room and imposing your ideas," he said. "Santiago is very intelligent, he is capable, he knows the club and, despite having taken charge in a complicated moment, he is leading it in the best way. We will see what happens at the end."


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Redondo spent six years playing with Madrid and won two La Liga titles as well as a Champions League crown before leaving for AC Milan in 2000 and then retiring four years later.

The Argentine former midfielder would like to play alongside Madrid stars Toni Kroos and Luka Modric if he were still in the game, but he admits Casemiro is probably a safer option to take the third midfield role.

"I would like to play with Modric and Kroos at the sides, but Casemiro is necessary because he brings balance," he added. "As we said before, the most important thing is the form and model of a team and how it is compensated. That is the great challenge of a coach's vision."