The Golden State Warriors received plenty of congratulatory messages after clinching their second NBA championship in three seasons, notably from Lionel Messi and Barcelona.
Kevin Durant led the way as the Warriors dethroned defending champions the Cleveland Cavaliers thanks to a 129-120 game-five win on Monday.
The Thunder surrendered a 3-1 series last season to allow LeBron James and the Cavs to break through for their first NBA crown.
But there was to be no repeat of that slipup as Spanish and LaLiga giants Barca paid tribute to the Warriors, who ended the postseason with a 16-1 win-loss record.
Congratulations to Champions Golden State . Well done! June 13, 2017
Durant – who swapped the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Warriors in the off-season – walked away with the Finals MVP award after scoring 39 points in game five.
Warriors team-mate Steph Curry put up 34 points and 10 assists as Golden State won their fifth title.
'Obviously Messi is the best player in history and being compared to him means that you're doing things right, but I try to be myself': Barcelona star responds to comparisons with Argentine legend
'Darwin Nunez would be gold for Arsenal': Liverpool legend claims Gunners should have signed Uruguayan striker in January
