Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes Barcelona star Lionel Messi proved to any doubters that he is the world's best player by securing Argentina's place at the World Cup with a marvellous hat-trick.
Argentina went into their final World Cup qualifier staring elimination in the face, but Messi stepped up when they needed him most and inspired a 3-1 win in Ecuador.
The Barcelona forward scored all three goals in an unstoppable display to rescue La Albiceleste, meaning Messi goes into Saturday's meeting with Simeone's Atletico in blistering form.