Lionel Messi is a different kind of player– Ivan Rakitic

The Blaugrana skipper has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season.

Lionel Messi led Barcelona to an ecstatic victory at Wembley Stadium, over Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was at a different level, as he tore apart the opposition through the middle of the park, and also scored twice in a 4-2 win, on Wednesday.

After the match, Ivan Rakitic went on to say, "With all respect to other players who have won it [Ballon d'Or], we know there is a player who is different to the others and that is Leo Messi."

The Blaugrana skipper was involved in his side's opener. The Argentina genius played a defence-splitting pass to Jordi Alba, who assisted Philippe Coutinho in the second minute. The 31-year old then went on to score in the 56th and 90th minute, with two shots hitting the post, in an otherwise vintage performance. He went on to take his Champions League group stage tally to 64 goals in 65 appearances.

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Messi has been more or less ignored in terms of individual awards this year, with Luka Modric winning UEFA player of the year, and FIFA's The Best award. Although Rakitic is Modric's international teammate, and has backed him for individual honours this season, he said, "Sometimes there are circumstances like Luka Modric doing an outstanding season and maybe people want to change a bit. But, with all respect, Luka and the others know there is a player who is different to the others, and that is Leo Messi."

The La Masia product has made an impressive start to this season, with 10 goals in all competitions (five in LaLiga and five in Champions League). To top it all, he has continued his style in torturing English sides in the Champions League, with Spurs being his latest victim.