Neeskens: Henry near best

Johan Neeskens, Barcelona's assistant, believes that Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is almost approaching the same form for the Catalan club that he displayed during his time at Arsenal in the Premiership.

Reflecting on Henry's hat-trick at Levante on Saturday night, Neeskens said: "Henry needed to score goals. He was playing very well and we needed him to have a night like the one he had on Saturday.

"Henry is playing like when he was with Arsenal. His explosion was a question of time."

He added: "On the other hand, Lionel Messi is the great candidate for the Ballon d'Or."