Barcelona labelled '10 players and an alien' by Sevilla president Jose Castro after Lionel Messi gives masterclass in Super Cup win

Barcelona labelled '10 players and an alien' by Sevilla president Jose Castro after Lionel Messi gives masterclass in Super Cup win

Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona beat Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup

Barcelona hero also set up Pedro's winner in 5-4 extra-time triumph

Sevilla president Jose Castro called brilliant Messi an 'extra-terrestrial'

Club chief was proud of how his side fought back from three goals down

Sevilla president Jose Castro hailed Lionel Messi as an 'extra-terrestrial' after the Barcelona forward's latest star showing in Tuesday night's UEFA Super Cup triumph.

Messi struck twice from two free-kicks in the space of eight minutes before setting up Pedro's extra-time winner as Barca ran out 5-4 winners in the Tblisi thriller.

And having watched the Argentine superstar's world-class showing to dismantle his valiant losers, Castro hailed his team but admitted that Messi offered something out of this world.

Sevilla president Jose Castro hailed Lionel Messi as an 'extra-terrestrial' after his Super Cup-winning showing

Messi and his Barcelona team-mates pose with the UEFA Super Cup after their 5-4 victory over Sevilla

'I'm very proud of my players and my team. As the (club) hymn says, this team never gives up,' Castro said.

'We had chances even at 5-4. Barcelona are a very powerful team, with 10 players and an extra-terrestrial in Messi.

'I think Sevilla have shown to all of European football what we have, that we weren't here by chance and we fought until the end.'

The Europa League winners face Roma on Friday in another friendly before opening up their La Liga campaign a week later with a trip to Malaga.

Given how close they pushed Barcelona with Messi not far from his brilliant best, Castro can take heart in their performance and what it could entail for the new season.

'We showed what Sevilla means,' he said. 'We have a great coach, a great team and great supporters. We were close to taking the trophy.'