Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique admits he’s ‘surprised’ by Francesco Totti’s longevity, but Lionel Messi is ‘unique’.
The former midfielder was on the Olimpico bench for 2011-12 season, and will face his former club at Camp Nou this evening.
“I’m surprised that he [Totti] still has that ability,” Enrique admitted, speaking to the Giallorossi’s official website.
Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique admits he’s ‘surprised’ by Francesco Totti’s longevity, but Lionel Messi is ‘unique’.
The former midfielder was on the Olimpico bench for 2011-12 season, and will face his former club at Camp Nou this evening.
“I’m surprised that he [Totti] still has that ability,” Enrique admitted, speaking to the Giallorossi’s official website.
“I’ve been watching the pre-season matches against Manchester City and Real Madrid and he’s a unique player on the ball, very hard to mark and capable of making other people play well.
“I was surprised at his fitness and strength. He’s one of the best players we’ve seen, definitely, and when I was with him at Roma I could see he was a great professional with undying loyalty to his club.
“Is he similar to Messi? All great players always have things in common, but Messi is unique and for me he’s the best player in the history of the game.
“Francesco is one of the best European players and thanks to his commitment and physical and mental strength, he’s still playing at a great level.”
Despite leaving after just one season where the Lupi finished seventh, Enrique insists he has fond memories of his time in the capital.
“It was a difficult year because the idea at the club was to start a transitional period towards a team that could take young players and play attractive football.
“I really liked that idea and although it was hard at the start, with the language problem and the footballing ideas we were trying to transmit, it was very rewarding in terms of my relationship with the players and the club, I am still in contact with many people who were at or are still at Roma.
“I felt the fans were always behind us, even when the results weren’t as good as we had all hoped for.
“I have a lot of fond memories from my time there – especially the friends I made like Claudio Bisceglia who worked with me in Rome and helped us a lot.
“Tonight’s game? It’ll be at the Camp Nou, which is always special for me, all the more so as it’s against Roma and I’ll see four of the players I coached there as well as coaching staff I shared a lot with and directors who I had a great relation with and who always supported me.
“It’ll be special, I’m sure and I hope we see a great game and we are all happy – and that Barça win, of course!”