Barcelona player ratings v Huesca - Lionel Messi scores one of his best as he equals Xavi's record

Messi, Griezmann and Mingueza on target in 4-1 win

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc Andre Ter Stegen 6. Given the last two times Huesca have visited Camp Nou (they’ve conceded eight goals each time) the focus was always going to be on the opposing goalkeeper. Yet he needed to get down well to Pablo Maffeo on 25 minutes and he made the lightest touch to concede an odd 45th minute penalty, which he could do little to stop. Huesca created clear chances too. Reuters

Clement Lenglet 7. Pushed right up as Barça dominated possession and kept Huesca in the final third of the field. The negative of that was that the home team left a lot of space at the back. AFP

Frenkie De Jong 7. Continued his fine season where he’s played in numerous positions. Hit the crossbar on 42 minutes. Made 66 passes in the first half alone. All 66 reached their man. First player off. Deserved his respite. EPA

Oscar Mingueza 8. Playing as one of the three centre-backs and scored his first Barça goal after 53 minutes. Switched to right wingback when Dest went off. AFP

Sergino Dest 6. Early shot with his left foot. Played on the right and covered a lot of ground. AFP

Jordi Alba 7. Shot bounced off the crossbar after 33 minutes – the third time in the last five games that he’s hit the woodwork. EPA

Sergio Busquets 7. Set up Messi for the first. Older head among the younger players at the end. More touches than anyone else on the pitch. Reuters

Pedri 7. The 18-year-old was called up for Spain for the first time before the game, then showed why in the game. Some of his balls to Messi belied his years. Developing into a wonderful footballer, but he’s looked tired in recent games. Reuters

Antoine Griezmann 8. Stunning goal to make it 2-0. It went in almost exactly the same place as Messi’s first. Worked hard and needed to impress after being on the bench in recent weeks. He did, and only him and Messi have scored and assisted in double figures in La Liga this season. AFP

Lionel Messi 9. Incredible opening goal after 12 minutes for his 20th league goal of the season, taking advantage of the tiniest space to strike a curling shot between defenders, the goalkeeper and in off the crossbar. One of his best. He also equalled Xavi’s record 767 Barça’s appearances and scored his 660th goal. EPA

Ousmane Dembele 7. Combined well with Messi against La Liga’s bottom team, but wasn’t as involved in the game or on the ball as much as he should be. Reuters

SUB: Ronald Araujo 6 (on for de Jong after 63'). More minutes for the 22 year old Uruguayan and he made two clearances as Huesca remained lively throughout. EPA

SUB: Ilaix Moriba 6 (On for Dest after 68'). Quick in the centre and a big talent for the future. Compared with a young Paul Pogba. Reuters

SUB: Trincao 4 (on for Griezmann after 68'). Barça finished with a very young side. Wasn’t on for long, but made several mistakes when he did, though he got the assist for Messi for the fourth. AFP

SUB: Martin Braithwaite (On for Pedri for the final six minutes). Involved in the fourth goal of a win which put Barça within four points of Atletico. AFP

SUB: Riqui Puig (on for Dembele After 85). Not the outcast under Koeman that he seemed to be, but nor will the talented youngster be happy with five minutes. AFP

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman lauded Lionel Messi as the most important player in the club's history as the Argentine celebrated making a record-equalling 767th appearance for the Catalans on Monday.

Scoring twice, Messi produced another vintage display as he equalled Xavi's appearance record in Barca's 4-1 victory over La Liga basement club Huesca.

"What more can you say [about Messi]?" a beaming Koeman told reporters.

"His level over so many years, over so many games ... he's the most important player in Barcelona's history and thank goodness he's still here with us.

"I think he's shown he's the best player in the world. The first goal he scored was fantastic, and he deserves to be the focal point of this team."

The result moved the Catalans to within four points of top spot as they chase down pace-setters Atletico Madrid.

Teenager Pedri, who was called up to the Spain national team for the first time earlier on Monday, also praised Messi - a player he has been earmarked to succeed at Camp Nou.

"To play alongside Leo is an absolute joy. I enjoy going to training everyday," said the 18-year-old.

"Whenever I get it, I try and pass to him because every time he touches the ball, something happens. It's absolutely crazy what he's achieving. He's the best player in the world."