Dani Alves: Messi makes things easier

17/02/2013 7:20:00 PM

The Blaugrana full-back has underlined the importance of the forward, adding that having the Argentina international in the side gives him a sense of "tranquility" on the pitch

Dani Alves has joined the list of those hailing the talents of Lionel Messi after the Argentine's two strikes allowed Barcelona to take a 2-1 win against Granada.

Messi scored his 300th and 301st goals for the Catalans, as the Liga leaders recovered from Ighalo's first-half opener to take victory against their Andalusian hosts.

Speaking to the club's official website, Alves was in no doubt about the forward's extraordinary ability and the benefit it brought to the side.

"Playing next to Messi gives you a lot of tranquility," the 29-year-old Brazilian said. "It makes it easier to get things done."

Messi has now reached a tally of 37 league goals so far this season, with the Blaugrana stretching their lead at the top of La Liga to 15 points over Atletico Madrid after Saturday's win.

Meanwhile, Jordi Alba was equally keen to praise his team-mate.

"It's good to keep adding to it," the Spain international commented when asked about the Argentine's goal-scoring record.

"And the team is the important thing. Today [Saturday] we struggled, but it was finally decided by Leo.

"For Messi to score 301 goals ... whatever anyone says [about him] will come up short."

Barcelona currently have 65 points from 24 games in La Liga and travel to face AC Milan on Wednesday in the last 16 of the Champions League.