Ernesto Valverde hails record breaking Lionel Messi's impact in 2019

Messi netted his 13th La Liga goal of the season in the 4-1 win over Alavés, bringing him up to 50 for the calendar year, for the ninth time in his career at the Camp Nou.

The landmark goals means he has hit 50 goals inside twelve for the sixth successive season, and his manager is in no doubt about his enduring quality and value to the team.

"Having Leo in the team is always an advantage,"  he told Marca in his post-match press conference.

"He can appear from nowhere, and score at anytime".

Messi has finished as La Liga's top scorer for the last three successive seasons, with 37, 34 and 36 goals respectively, and his main challengers this season again look to by Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.