Xavi and Javier Mascherano full of praise for Lionel Messi's wonder goal in Copa del Rey final

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates his wonder goal in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona completed a domestic double when they beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Copa del Rey final, but the match will be remembered for two things – Messi’s wonder goal and Xavi’s last match at the Camp Nou. And Xavi had only words of praise for the Argentine magician.

It was Messi who stole the show with an amazing solo goal leaving 4 defenders for dead and finally putting it past a helpless Iago Herrerin at his near post in the 20th minute. The move started from the right wing with Messi taking the ball near the halfway line, dribbling past three hapless Bilbao defenders, then cutting into the penalty area as he shimmied past Laporte and released a well placed curving shot to the near post.

‘It was probably Messi’s best goal’

It was so good that the parting legend Xavi was still awe even after the match. During a post-match interview for the club’s official website Xavi commented: “[The goal was] scandalous, awesome! I think it's one of the best goals he's ever scored.”

Even his Barcelona and Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano was full praise for the striker: "Maybe that was one of Messi's best goals. Goals are also measured by the importance of the match and by the opponent.

“Leo worked his magic and that moved things in our favour.”

The Catalan giants will now face Juventus in Berlin’s historic Olympic Stadium in the 2014/15 Champions League final as both teams look to win a historic treble.