Atletico Madrid attacker Arda Turan has described Barcelona's Lionel Messi as "an alien".

The two players exchanged shirts at the end of Saturday's La Liga meeting at the Vicente Calderon that finished goalless.

Messi started on the bench after recently returning from a long-term injury, but entered at the interval as a replacement for the injured Andres Iniesta.

"Lionel Messi is out of this world, he's an alien," the 26-year-old told reporters at a press conference.

"For me, he is the best player in the history of football."

The result at the weekend means that both sides have collected 50 points from their respective 19 matches, but Barcelona top the table on goal difference.