( CNN ) -- He was compared to a computer game machine by the man whose dreams of European glory he destroyed , but Lionel Messi 's coach preferred to focus on his human qualities . Messi underlined his status as the world 's best soccer player on Tuesday night with a stunning four-goal display that put his Spanish club Barcelona into the semifinals of Europe 's premier club competition , the Champions League . The 22-year-old took his goal tally for the season to a staggering 39 as he netted a hat-trick in the first half against English side Arsenal , his fourth treble this season . Blog : Is Messi better than Maradona ? The Argentina international became only the sixth player in the competition 's history to score four in a game , and the first this season . He equaled former Brazil star Rivaldo with a record 25 career goals in the tournament . He has already scored one more goal than he did last season -- in eight fewer games , with a possible 11 still to play . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was left in no doubt about Messi 's seemingly superhuman abilities . `` He 's like a PlayStation , '' the Frenchman told reporters . `` I think he can take advantage of every mistake you make . `` He is very young , but can achieve a lot -- I do n't know how many players in the world could score that fourth goal he scored . It looks impossible , but he makes it possible . `` Messi has something exceptional and is in his prime . This boy now has six or seven years in front of him and if nothing happens to him he can reach unbelievable levels . '' Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said that Messi 's greatest quality is his humble character . `` The good thing is about Messi is that tomorrow he will get up and look for the affection of his people and his team-mates , '' Guardiola said of the young man who has overtaken David Beckham at the top of football 's rich list . `` I like the love he has for football and his anonymous character . Leo was brilliant and he was decisive tonight . It is not something you can describe because you have to see it to believe it . '' Messi himself was typically understated in his summation of the match , which saw Barcelona win 4-1 for a 6-3 aggregate victory . `` We are happy to go through tonight , but we have to keep going , '' he said . Barcelona will continue the defense of their European title in the semifinals against Italian champions Inter Milan , who progressed with a 1-0 win away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday to defeat the Russians 2-0 on aggregate . The two-leg last-four clash will see Inter manager Jose Mourinho return to the club where he was part of the coaching staff in the 1990s .
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hails Frenchman 's one -goal hero Arsene Wenger . Frenchman compares Messi forward to a computer game machine . Barcelona coach says Barcelona 's greatest quality is his humble character . Spanish champions move into semifinals of Europe 's top club competition .