Lucas Moura: "Leo Messi is my idol and he's back as the best"

Are you ready to play against Barça?

- It’s always nice to play against them, although I don’t know if it’ll be for the whole game. It will be a challenge and a very close tie. We are all very excited.

How are you finding watching your fellow countryman Neymar?

- He’s a football genius. I’m happy to say he’s my friend and I’m pleased to see the kind of season he’s having. I love to watch him playing for Barça. We have to be very careful with him.

And Messi?

- He was always my idol. For some time I was fixed in my ways. I think he’s the best player in the world and he is back above everyone else. It will be very difficult to play against him. We will have to work hard to stop him.

A Brazilian praising an Argentine footballer?

- You have to be realistic and Messi is the best. Of course there is a rivalry between Brazil and Argentina but we are a country of football. So when there are great players we admit that.

Is it a blow to have Ibrahimovic suspended?

- We have Cavani.

Who is favourite?

- The two teams are evenly matched.

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