He makes the difference in every game – Iniesta hails Messi
Andres Iniesta said Barcelona knew Lionel Messi would make the difference after the star fired his side past Chelsea.
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta hailed Lionel Messi after the superstar helped the Liga giants past Chelsea and into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Messi brought up his 100th goal in Europe's premier club competition with a brace in the 3-0 second-leg win at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
The Argentina star also set up Ousmane Dembele as Barca sealed a 4-1 aggregate win to move into the last eight.
Iniesta, who came off before the hour-mark after starting despite a hamstring concern, lauded Messi for his latest masterclass.
"It's what we always talk about. Leo makes the difference in every game. It's a blessing," he told beIN SPORTS.
"I hope we can get closer to this Champions League. We've taken another step."
The win saw Barca reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the 11th consecutive season – the longest run in the competition's history.
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11 - Barcelona have reached the quarter-finals for the 11th consecutive season, the longest run in the history of the Champions League. Infallible. March 14, 2018
Iniesta believes Ernesto Valverde's men are capable of capturing the trophy for a sixth time – and first since 2015 – this season.
"It's always a motivation to win the Champions League but it's always complicated. A bad game leaves you out," he said.
"The challenge is to minimise the mistakes because I think we have the team and the form to win it."