Andres Iniesta is delighted with the way Leo Messi is thriving as Barcelona captain.

Messi inherited the armband from Iniesta after he left for Japan's Vissel Kobe last summer,

Iniesta told Goal: "Despite the distance, I see him the same way.

"When I was there, I took advantage of him from the inside. He has always been a special player, different, unique. He scores more goals than the others and makes more assists than the others.

"He can play as he wants and when he wants."