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Ter Stegen brushes off 'Messi with gloves' label

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen dismissed comparisons to superstar team-mate Lionel Messi.

Ter Stegen's passing ability has been lauded, with the Germany goalkeeper helping Barca sit 11 points clear atop La Liga.

But the 25-year-old played down any suggestions he should be compared to Messi, saying his focus was firstly on shot-stopping.

"I'm being called 'Messi with gloves'? I think he's had a great level over many years. You shouldn't compare yourself with that," Ter Stegen said.

"Of course my first goal is to save the balls. This is obviously the most important thing as a goalkeeper.