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Barcelona boss Valverde praises Messi-Dembele partnership

Ernesto Valverde praised the understanding between Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele after the pair helped Barcelona overcome Ajax in the Champions League.

Messi became the most prolific goalscorer for a single club in the competition as he scored one and assisted the other in a 2-1 victory that confirmed Barca as Group B winners.

The skipper's opener was a moment of inspiration in the penalty box, weaving away from multiple markers to manufacture space for a predatory finish past Jeroen Zoet, making it a record 106 Champions League goals for the Argentina forward.

Young winger Dembele supplied the pass in the build-up in a continuation of his recent renaissance.