Neymar may have scored both goals in Barcelona’s 2-0 La Liga win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday but it was Lionel Messi who again took the plaudits thanks to a pair of brilliant assists.

Barca were struggling to break down a determined Bilbao side at the Nou Camp until substitute Neymar struck in the 79th minute, running on to a threaded Messi pass and scoring with a precise low shot into the corner. Four-times World Player of the Year Messi set up the Brazil forward for his second five minutes later, dribbling down the right and squaring for an unmarked Neymar to pick his spot in the same corner.

“Messi is the best in the world, a star,” Neymar, who came on for the final half an hour to replace teenage Spain forward Munir el Haddadi, told reporters. “I am improving playing with him,” added the 22-year-old, who started on the bench as he continues his comeback from an ankle injury.

Messi struck twice in Barca’s 3-0 home win against Elche in their opening game and set up Sandro Ramirez to score in their 1-0 success at Villarreal on their second outing. Seeking to improve on last season’s second-placed finish to Atletico Madrid, Barca have made a fine start and is the only team with a perfect record of three wins in three games.