Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has heaped more praise on his star Lionel Messi.

Guardiola has likened Messi's impact at the club to that of legendary forward Ladislao Kubala after he matched the Hungarian's goal tally this week.

"He's equalled another Barca legend, who, by the way he played and was, changed this club," he told reporters.

"With Kubala's football the Les Corts stadium became too small and they had to build the Nou Camp."

Messi is now second in the club's all-time goalscoring charts and will start making inroads towards overhauling the great Cesar's 235.

"The only way Messi won't catch Cesar is if he leaves here, but we hope he continues for many years," Guardiola added.

"If, at 24 years old, he's done what he's done, I can only congratulate him."