Luis Suarez and Ernesto Valverde heap praise on Lionel Messi after Barcelona striker's landmark goal

Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal for Barcelona in their 3-0 win over Eibar on Sunday

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde lauded Lionel Messi after the Argentinian scored his 400th La Liga goal on Sunday in the Catalan’s 3-0 win against Eibar.

It was five-time Ballon d'Or winner's 435th appearance for the club, extending his own goalscoring record.

After the match, Valverde said: “I think the figures speak for themselves. We don’t know if anyone will ever get close to those statistics but he is unbelievable.”

Luis Suarez, who scored twice in the win, also heaped praise upon Messi.

“I try to do my best for the team,” Suarez said. “The chance came to Leo and we were able to enjoy that moment. I think all the Barca fans should be proud of this moment in history.”

Luis Suarez heaped praise on his strike partner (AP)

Barca remain five points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, with Real Madrid already ten points behind.

“We have finished the first half of the season,” Valverde continued. “We wanted to maintain the advantage we had over the teams that are chasing us and we have done that.

“The game was a tough one, like all the games against Eibar. They always put you under pressure high up the field.

“At the end of the day we were able to get around that and we are happy because we have reached the halfway point of the league season top of the table, after having some tricky moments so far.”