Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Lionel Messi like Batman compared to other players - Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli

Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli has again heaped praise on Lionel Messi, claiming the Barcelona star is "Batman" compared to the rest of the players.

Sampaoli -- who has been tipped to succeed Luis Enrique at Barca -- recently revealed his wish to manage Messi one day, describing his fellow Argentine as "the best in the world."

Messi finished runner-up to Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo for both the Ballon d'Or award and FIFA's Best Men's Player for 2016, but Sampaoli told beIN SPORTS ESPANA: "I've always said that to compare Messi with the rest is like comparing a great policeman to Batman."

Former Chila boss Sampaoli is in his first year at Sevilla after succeeding Unai Emery in June.

The Argentine has enjoyed a strong start in his first experience coaching in Europe, with Sevilla second in La Liga and having progressed to the round of 16 in the Champions League, where they will face Leicester City.

Sevilla made headlines at the weekend when they ended Real Madrid's record 40-game unbeaten streak at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium with a 2-1 victory.

The outcome allowed Sevilla to cut the gap on league leaders Real to one point, although Los Blancos have a game in hand.

Sampaoli -- who led Chile to Copa America glory against Argentina in 2015 -- said: "I never imagined beating Real Madrid or being at a World Cup or winning a final against Argentina, which was as beautiful as it was painful."

Expectations are high at Sevilla after a strong start but Sampaoli knows his team will need to better the club's record of 76 points, which they achieved under Emery in the 2014-15 campaign, if they are to remain in the title race.

"I'm happy that Sevilla fans are enthusiastic," Sampaoli said. "Our duty is for the fans to turn up on the pitch, especially at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, to be euphoric from start to finish. It would be a failure otherwise.

"I'm happy that Sevilla fans are pleased. It generates more responsibility as we will have to surpass 85 points and that is going to be very, very challenging.

"I know Real Madrid and Barcelona will do so and probably Atletico will come close. We are there now and need to assume our place and maintain ourselves up there as long as possible."

Sevilla resume their La Liga campaign at bottom-side Osasuna on Sunday.

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