Video: Koeman hails 'best player' Messi after striker scores fastest goal

Barcelona - Koeman's side sit seven points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman praised Lionel Messi after the striker scored his fastest league goal as a substitute as his strike 136 seconds after coming on inspired Barcelona to a 3-2 victory over Real Betis on Sunday.

Messi was among several key players rested, with Koeman seemingly prioritising Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal against Sevilla.

“It’s a bit about the cup game but we also have to decide when the best moment is to rest players,” Koeman said.

Defeat would have called that decision into question but Messi drove in an equaliser less than three minutes after coming on in the second half and then helped set up Francisco Trincao to score a late winner, the 21-year-old’s first goal for Barcelona.

“He changed the game,” said Koeman, when asked about Messi.

“In half an hour, Messi demonstrated what a vital player he is for this team,” Koeman said.

“Messi has shown for years that he is the best player in the world, above all for the creativity he displays in the final meters.”

Koeman’s side sit seven points behind La Liga’s leaders Atletico Madrid, who have played two games fewer and face Celta Vigo at home on Monday night.

Success also came at a cost as Barca’s best available central defender Ronald Araujo was forced off with an ankle injury early on.

With Gerard Pique already a long-term absentee, Araujo’s fitness will be a huge concern, especially with a Champions League last 16 first leg at home to Paris Saint-Germain to come, a week after the test against Sevilla.