Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has said that Lionel Messi is "the god of football" as his side prepares to face Barcelona in the Champions League final this weekend.

The Argentine has been in impressive form for the La Liga champions and took his tally to 58 goals for the season by bagging a double in his side's Copa del Rey final victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening.

"Messi is now the god of football," Chiellini is quoted as saying by Football Italia. "It's difficult to compare him with [Diego] Maradona, Pele and co, but he's probably the best player of the last 30 years.

"His goal against Athletic Club? It was certainly a great goal [but] I don't think Messi would be able to score a goal like that in Italy, where the defending is much better than in Spain. There's better football in the Spanish League but worse defending."

Messi has scored in his last two appearances in the Champions League final.