Munich: Barcelona's Lionel Messi is the best player ever, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday after the Spanish side eliminated the Bavarians 5-3 on aggregate to reach Champions League final.

"He is the best player of all time," Guardiola said. "I compare him with Pele. I am so happy to see this football."

Messi destroyed Bayern in Barca's 3-0 first-leg win after scoring twice last week. The diminutive Argentine was again instrumental as Barcelona eased into the European Cup final for an eighth time.

"He is back, he is there where I had the privilege to train him," Guardiola, who twice won the Champions League with the 27-year-old in his four years at Barca between 2008-2012, told reporters. "He is definitely back at his best."

Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, on the other hand saw his team reach their eighth European Cup final on Tuesday, but said it had been a nerve-racking experience having to watch their stellar run from the sidelines. "I have suffered, I have suffered in each and every round," he said.

Talking about the trio of Neymar, Suarez and Messi, Enrique said that it is difficult for the opposition to control them. (Agencies)