Suarez warns Barcelona: Best in the world Messi must be given new contract

With the Camp Nou side apparently wavering over whether to bow to the Argentine's demands, his team-mate made no secret of what he thinks.

Luis Suarez has warned Barcelona that they must do everything in their power to keep Lionel Messi happy.

The Uruguay ace hailed Messi as "the best in the world" after his Barcelona team-mates crowned a superb Copa del Rey comeback against Athletic Club, with the holders triumphing 4-3 on aggregate.

The Argentine, though, is reportedly unsettled at Camp Nou, with talks over a new contract uncertain after Barca CEO Oscar Grau warned that the club have to be "strict" with their budgets.

After the 29-year-old multiple Ballon d'Or winner inspired Luis Enrique's men to a stunning triumph in midweek, Suarez seemed to offer a veiled warning to the club's leadership, stating: "He has that something. He is the best in the world and it shows in every game.

"He always surprises us with something nice."

Trailing 2-1 from a highly charged first leg at San Mames last week, Suarez had put the hosts ahead on with his 100th goal for the club.

It was also the 300th goal that Barcelona's famed MSN front three have managed since they first played together in 2014 and Neymar got in on the act by winning and converting a penalty early in the second half.