Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has branded Luis Suarez 'the best player in the world' ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Rodgers managed Suarez at Liverpool, with the Uruguay international scoring 54 Premier League goals under the stewardship of the Northern Irishman before moving on to Barcelona, where he has already won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League.
Rodgers will take his Celtic team to Barcelona in the group stages of the Champions League on Tuesday and the 43-year-old has paid tribute to Suarez as both a person and as a player.
"At this moment in time, Luis is the best striker in the world. I don't think there's any question about that. First of all, when you speak about Luis Suarez, you have to speak about the man. Luis Suarez is one of the most beautiful men you could come across," Rodgers told reporters.
"He's a very humble guy who works tirelessly at his profession. He's super-professional and a family man who gives everything for life as a footballer and for his family. I had the pleasure of working with Luis as a human being for two years and he was incredible.
"As a footballer, I think he's the best in the world. The biggest compliment that you could give Luis is that he came to an already world-class team and he made them better. When I see them play now, Barcelona would not be the same team without Luis Suarez."
Suarez, who moved to Spain in 2014, has scored 88 goals in 100 appearances for Barcelona, including 59 times in 53 matches last season as the Spanish giants secured a domestic double.
