Barcelona boss Luis Enriqué hails Andres Iniesta and the joy of 600

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique paid tribute to midfield maestro Andres Iniesta ahead of the Spain international’s 600th game for the Catalans at Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Reuters/Paul Hanna

Along with Lionel Messi, Iniesta is Barcelona's most decorated player with 29 trophies.

His international honours are equally impressive. He was deemed man of the match after scoring the winner in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands in South Africa and he was part of the team which claimed successive European championships in 2008 and 2012.

"I had the luck to play with him and now to coach him," said Enrique of Iniesta before the clash.at 15th placed Vigo.

"To evaluate all these games is something that can only make everyone proud and not just for his performances.

"We can only enjoy him. Not just for what he has achieved but how he has achieved it. For the values he has shown and what he represents to world football."

Champions Barcelona are third, one point behind pacesetters Real Madrid after six games. They will once again be without the injured Messi for Enrique's return to Balaidos.

Enrique took charge of Celta Vigo for a season before returning to Catalonia in 2014.

Last season's return to his former stomping ground was an unhappy return as Celta thrashed Barca 4-1 - his heaviest defeat as Barca boss.

"Celta Vigo are a dangerous team," said Enrique. "They demand the most of you with and without the ball and make the games great to watch for the fans but as complicated as possible for the players."

Paco Alcacer is expected to drop out of the Barca side that won 2-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach in midweek in the Uefa Champions League with the in-form Arda Turan taking his place alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar in attack.