Crespo praises Messi (7 Mar 2006 19:01 GMT)
Reffering to Champions League' Chelsea-Barcelona first leg, Hernan Crespo said: "In England, they are tough and play hard. There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the game, everybody was waiting for it. It was a match where there was plenty of friction, with rough treatment being dealt out by both sides. But Messi was never afraid despite his youth and small physique. That is worthy of respect. I thought he was very courageous."
Crespo takes the teenager under his wing when the national squad gathers for international duty."Every time I meet up with Messi, I stick close to him and tell him everything I can. I am sort of an advisor as I'm one of the more experienced players."
"We weren't together long at the Croatia game but I congratulated him for his great performance against Chelsea and asked him not to play so well in the return leg! Messi's quality against us didn't surprise me one little bit. He's a star and I was expecting that sort of performance."
"I was very happy for him but very sad for my team. Unfortunately, he played one of the best matches of his life against us. I always say the truly great players show up in important games. And to play like he did at 18 in a Champions League encounter shows he is an enormous talent."
source : The Sun