Panenka hails Messi’s ‘Panenka’ as the best he has seen

Lionel Messi’s ‘Panenka’ penalty against Getafe has been hailed as the best ever – by the man himself.

Antonin Panenka originated the chipped spot-kick technique as he audaciously clinched Czechoslovakia's shoot-out victory over Germany in the 1976 European Championship final.

And the former midfielder anointed Messi as the best of his many imitators after the Barcelona forward deceived Vicente Guaita for the first of his two goals, and his team's six without reply, in Tuesday's resounding Primera Division win.

Panenka, now 66, told radio station RAC1: “The execution was the best I’ve ever seen – not too powerful, central, good elevation.

“Technically the goal was impressive. It is a further demonstration of (Messi’s) quality.”