The world bows down to Messi: Puyol, Ferdinand, Lavezzi, Macri, Balotelli, Bonmatí, Salvio...

Wednesday's game between Barcelona and Liverpool had a frentic ryhthm to it. The game could have swung either way until Messi broke it open with a double that has Barcelona thinking about the final. The Argentine wasn't at his very best but was decisive and his free-kick was hit perfectly with eulogies arriving from footballers and famous people around the world.

Mario Balotelli, the controversial Marseille striker, asked the public not to compare Cristiano Ronaldo with Messi as he tried to end the debate over who is the greatest. "Leo Messi, phenomenon. For the good of football, please, don't compare him with Juve's number seven." Aitana Bonmati, the Spanish women's midfielder, put a picture of Messi and asked "who is the best?"

Messi is "from another planet"

Inside Barcelona, the are still not shocked with his contributions and Carles Puyol said, "Oh My God Leo Messi!" while Carli Lloyd, the famous American soccer player, said: "It's special to see a player like Leo Messi. Surely, we will never see someone at this level again. He's from another planet."

Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender, posted a video of him celebrating the goal with Gary Lineker. He also sent out a message saying, "Leo Messi has decided that it's time."

Hebei Fortune player, Ezequiel Lavezzi, "You're taking the piss, mate!" Another friend of his from the national team, Eduardo Salvio, was just as impressed with his message: "My god, Messi!" And in his home country, Mauricio Macri, the president of the country was proud. "What pride that the best footballer player in the world is Argentinian. Thank you, Leo!"

Outside of the world of football, David Ferrer, the tennis player said: "Imagine Messi became a tennis player. Messi, Nadal, Federer, Djokovic...it would change the sport!" And Pau Gasol, the legendery Spanish basketball player said, "Messi D10S!".