Valencia wing Nani has hailed the ability of Lionel Messi ahead of his side’s clash with Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday.

The Valencia recruit praised Messi as a unique talent in the wake of the Argentinian’s superb hat-trick against Manchester City for Barcelona in the Champions League, taking his tally to four goals scored in just two games since his return from injury. Messi has also hit a triple in both of the Champions League matches he has played this season.

With Barca and Valencia now on a collision course, the Portuguese is under no illusions as to the threat posed by the superstar forward.

‘Messi is a special player and few compare,’ Nani told Goal, before aiming some praise at national team comrade Cristiano Ronaldo.

‘We know we have Cristiano, contesting all year the Golden Ball with Messi. But it’s not until the end that we know who is the best in the world,’ Nani concluded.

Messi and Ronaldo are expected to contest the Ballon d’Or prize for the world’s best player in the coming months, with the latter the clear favourite for the award following European glory with Portugal.

Meanwhile, the clash between Barca and Valencia will take place at the Mestalla.

The action gets underway from 16:15.