Mourinho: Ronaldo and Messi lucky to play against each other
Lionel Messi netted both goals as Barcelona beat Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Saturday.
The 31-year-old’s nonchalant free-kick opened the scoring during the second-half, and also handed Messi his 40th goal of the season.
It means that the Argentina international has now scored at least 40 goals for the club every season since he scored 38 in 2008/09.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally is not quite as impressive, with the Juventus striker having scored at least 40 in eight consecutive seasons before this campaign.
Lionel Messi scored both goal in Barcelona's win over Espanyol (Image: GETTY)
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They're a great team, and now they're even better with Cristiano
Barcelona hero Lionel Messi on Juventus
”I have to say, it would be nice to still have him here."
Both Barcelona and Juventus are challenging for a Champions League triumph this term, and Messi has been impressed with Juventus so far in the competition.
He continued: ”I have a lot of respect for Juventus.
"They're a great team, and now they're even better with Cristiano.
Barcelona were quick to tweet about Lionel Messi's latest record (Image: Twitter: @FCBarcelona)
Lionel Messi wowed Barcelona fans with a stunning free-kick (Image: GETTY)
Lionel Messi scores ICONIC goal against Getafe in 2007
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 24 goals for Juventus this season (Image: GETTY)
"Hopefully we get to the final... and then what happens, happens."
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu discussed the idea of replacing Messi earlier this month - before reassuring supporters that it won’t be happening anytime soon.
“I know that one day Leo will say ‘I stop playing football’," Bartomeu told BBC Sport.
"I hope that it’s going to be in a far few years but we have to prepare the club for the future."