Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique described his group of players as the “best squad in the world” after advancing to the Champions League semifinals for the second straight season.

Paris St Germain's qualification for the Champions League semi-final against Aston Villa exposed some of the team's weaknesses, but also marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Luis Enrique's youthful side.

Messi, the world’s best player, the ultimate professional, had been dropped and fined in May for going to Saudi Arabia with his wife for an unauthorised trip that meant he missed training. The Argentina captain later apologised but it summed up PSG’s malaise.