Barca clinch Copa del Rey
FINAL TRIUMPH Departing coach Enrique grateful to Messi who starred in team’s seasonending win
Enrique expressed his gratitude for being able to call upon “extra terrestrial” Lionel Messi while at the peak of his powers over his three years as Barca coach, which ended with a 3-1 victory over Alaves to win the King’s Cup on Saturday.
Messi scored the opening goal of Barca’s third successive Cup triumph under Luis Enrique and played a crucial role in the strikes from Neymar and Paco Alcacer which finished off the Basque minnows.
Messi became the all-time La Liga top scorer in his first campaign under Enrique — which ended with the club’s second treble — and finished as the top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues with 37 goals this season.
The pair’s relationship appeared to be strained in the middle of that first season following a training ground bust up, which resurfaced when Messi was left out of the starting line-up in a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad.
But there was nothing but plaudits for the player in Luis Enrique’s final news conference.
“Messi is an extra terrestrial in every sense and I’m very fortunate that I was able to enjoy the best, or one of the best, versions of him,” Enrique said of Messi, who collected his 30th trophy with Barca before his 30th birthday.
“Without a doubt he’s the No 1 and to be that you have to control every aspect and be very strong physically. He takes perfect care of himself, and there’s still a lot more to come from Messi.”
Enrique is Barca’s third most decorated coach of all time with nine trophies behind Johan Cruyff (11) and Pep Guardiola (14), who also ended his time in charge by lifting the King’s Cup.
Enrique said he had no regrets about announcing his decision to leave the club back in March.
“I’m happy about the decision I made a few months ago, it has worked out perfectly for me and the team,” he added. “This job has endless demands and after a while it takes its toll on you.” stepped down as Barcelona manager after winning his final game in-charge of the club, the 2017 Copa del Rey final.
nine trophies in his three years as Barca boss, putting him third on the list of all-time successful coaches for the Catalan club. Only Pep Guardiola (14 trophies) and Johan Cruyff (11 trophies) have won more silverware than him as Barca manager.
expected to announce their new manager on Monday.
trophies of the 13 contested in three years
consecutive Copa del Rey trophies
victories, he had a better win rate than Guardiola (72.5%)
March 2017 that he would step down as Barca boss at the end of the season Spanish Cups La Liga crowns
Spanish Super Cup
Champions League
Uefa Super Cup
Club World Cup
Enrique hailed the brilliance of Lionel Messi for the last time after the victory on Saturday night against Alaves.
Messi as an “extra-terrestrial” for his ability to beat players at will after the Argentine scored a goal and set up Paco Alcacer for the third.
equalled Telmo Zarra’s Copa del Rey record of scoring in most finals having done so in four. His attack partner Neymar equalled Ferenc Puskas’ record of scoring in three consecutive finals.