Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has praised Lionel Messi and his evolution beyond the classification as just a goal scorer.

Proof of his growth as a footballer was exhibited during last weekend’s victory over Eibar when the Argentine star deputised injured Andres Iniesta in a deep lying position compared to his usual post in attack.

His transition into a role where creativity is essential to success was an example of his versatility and ability to positively influence matches outside of his usual role in the heart of Barca’s attacking scheme.

“Messi’s evolution is there for everyone to see,” Enrique told reporters, according to Samuel Marsden of ESPNFC, ahead of Barcelona’s second-leg encounter Thursday with Real Sociedad.

“It’s a process to do with maturing as a person. There have been years when he was the only goalscorer and now he’s evolved into the total footballer, capable of everything in attack and defence.”

Enqrique added Messi’s knowledge of the game and play off the ball makes his job easier whenever players go down with injuries.

“As he’s so intelligent, he will be able to cover any potential physical weaknesses in the long-term,” he said.

“He’s the prototype of a strong player physically, but he doesn’t rely on that because he knows where the space is, how to play without the ball … and if you add his technical and physical quality to that, you have what we see every day: a unique player.”

With contract negotiations going “very well,” according to the club technical secretary Roberto Fernandez, Messi looks as though he’s destined to continue dazzling the Barca faithful at the Camp Nou beyond 2018 when his current contract expires.

Brazil and Colombia came together Wednesday for a charity match to raise money for Chapecoense, the Brazilian club that was devastated when a November plane crash claimed the lives of 19 players.

The contest, played at Rio de Janeiro’s Engenhao stadium, was preceded by a touching pre-game ceremony in memory of the 71 people killed when the plane travelling to Medellin, Colombia descended into the mountains; 71 balloons were released to commemorate the dead, while the stadium lights were dimmed, allowing those in attendance to light up the cavernous ground with their mobile phones.

Related – Chapecoense: A beautiful dream that never got a chance to come true

Six passengers survived the crash, four of whom were in attendance for Wednesday’s match: Chapecoense goalkeeper Jackson Follmann – who had his right leg amputated as a result of the crash – defenders Alan Ruschel and Neto, and journalist Rafael Hernandez.

Follmann, Ruschel, and Neto were the only players to walk away from the plane crash in November, when the Brazilian club was preparing for the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional.

They were greeted Wednesday by Brazilian and Colombian national teams comprised entirely of home-based players; the likes of Neymar, James Rodriguez and other European-based stars were not in attendance due to respective club commitments.

Brazilian midfielder Diego, who served as captain for part of the evening, said it was an honour to participate in the emotional event.

“This was more than a game, I had the chance to be with Follmann and Neto, they are heroes,” he said. “They are heroes and anything we can do to help them then we’ll be there.”

Brazil went on to win the match 1-0, thanks to a 47th-minute header from Dudu.

But the football was secondary on this night. The focus, rightly, was on those who survived the terrible tragedy. And, of course, those who did not.

Tottenham Hotspur is one step closer to playing its 2017-18 home fixtures at Wembley Stadium after the English Football Association (FA) submitted a proposal to the Brent Council to increase the number of full-capacity events at the grounds between Aug. 1 and July 31, 2018.

The submission requests the available spectator capacity to be increased from 51,000 to 90,000.

If the local council approves the FA’s application for 31 matches, Spurs would play all 19 of their home matches and potentially 12 cup matches at the 90,000-seat venue as construction continues on a new north London stadium.

The club announced the ambitious application with a statement on its website Thursday, indicating that permission from the Brent Council would kick off preparations to accommodate the move.

“Importantly, if approved by the London Borough of Brent, it will allow the stadium operators, the club, emergency services and transport providers to put in place a comprehensive management plan for the full period of any tenancy with certainty on how the stadium will be allocated throughout the period and what management measures are required,” the statement read.

Wembley National Stadium Limited, a subsidiary of the FA, governs the national stadium.

Tottenham’s current ground, White Hart Lane, is in the midst of a partial demolition ahead of a move to a new 61,000-seater on the same lot, so Spurs have played their European fixtures at Wembley this season.

Brilliant turnouts for Champions League group stage tilts with Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen were paired with decent attendance against Russian giant CSKA Moscow, even though Tottenham had already been eliminated from knockout stage contention.

Spurs will again use the venue a 30-minute drive east of its north London digs for a Europa League visit from Belgian Gent in February, and because demand for tickets exceeded the original 50,000 allocation, the top tier of Wembley will be open.

“We have been overwhelmed by the positive reception we have received from Brent Council, schools, community groups, and organisations,” Tottenham’s statement added, pledging support to WNSL as it undertakes the consultation process.