Legendary Bayern Munich defender Franz Beckenbauer has heaped praise on Barcelona's Lionel Messi ahead of the two sides' Champions League semi-final clash.
'Der Kaiser', now aged 69, also suggested that the Catalans' chances of reaching a first final since 2011 rest heavily on Messi's shoulders, despite the recent good form of strike partners Luis Suárez and Neymar.
The Honorary President at the recently-confirmed Bundesliga champions described Messi as “a divine player, God-like. Barcelona’s hopes are reliant on him,” in an interview with Germany’s Sky90.
He also feels that Bayern boss Pep Guardiola's inside knowledge of former club Barça could prove decisive in an eagerly-anticipated but impossibly close semi-final.
“Guardiola knows the ins and outs of Barcelona. He knows even the smallest of details and that could prove enough to put Bayern on their way,” he claimed.
Bayern will be looking to progress to a 2015 final on something like home soil, with Juventus and Real Madrid the other semi-finalists hoping to book their place at Berlin's Olimpiastadion on June 6.