Today’s back pages: Maestro Messi is from another planet as Liverpool are floored

It may be possible that the world’s football writers and editors are running out of ways to describe the brilliance of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The Argentine was on target twice as Barca beat Liverpool 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. While Messi’s first goal was a rebound from close range, after Luis Suarez’s shot came off the crossbar, his second was truly spectacular.

Messi stepped up to curl a wonder free-kick into the top corner to not only score Barca’s third of the night but his 600th career club goal for the Catalans.

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Today’s newspaper back pages focus on Messi and his superb set-piece. The Guardian describes him as “from another planet” while The Daily Telegraph calls him a “maestro”. Both the Daily Mirror and the Daily Express declare that the No.10 is a “genius”.

Suarez opened the scoring in the first-half and The Sun back page leads with a headline of “Chew know who!” as the former Liverpool striker and Messi ripped Jurgen Klopp’s side to bits.

The Daily Mail reports that Klopp and Liverpool have been “left in a right Messi” after the first leg defeat at the Camp Nou. Metro says the Premier League side have “Messed up” and were made to pay for their missed chances.

Ruby retires

The Racing Post leads the tributes to star jump jockey Ruby Walsh who has announced his retirement. In his final race the 39-year-old rode Kemboy to victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup.