Lionel Messi has declared his admiration for his Barcelona team-mate Thierry Henry today.

The pair meet when France and Argentina clash in the Stade Velodrome this evening, and Messi has spoken about his first thoughts when he saw the Frenchman at Barcelona.

"The first day that he came into the dressing room, I did not dare to look him in the face. I knew everything that he had done in England," he told Sport.

"I had an image of him, and suddenly we were in the same team. What I feel for 'Titi' is a form of admiration."

Despite the glowing praise from Messi though, it is he who he is the star of the Barcelona side rather than the Frenchman.

Indeed, Henry struggled to settle in the side during his first year with the club, but has been much better this season with Barcelona in full flight.

The French international has started to score some of the typical goals that he grabbed at Arsenal, and Messi admits that is one of his best attributes.

"He has the ability to finish a move, as he gets the ball and puts it away. He gives the impression that it is natural. His career, his dribbling, his finishing...It is all fluid and well thought out," he mused.

Along with Samuel Eto'o, Messi and Henry have been responsible for most of the goals in the Barcelona side this season, but the Argentine admits they will be no good if they do not bring titles to the Camp Nou.

"If the forwards score so many goals, it is thanks to the defence and the midfield. Chances cannot be created and scored with the rest of the team. Even so, we do not want a high scoring team that does not win titles," he concluded.