Messi has looked back to his best after a disappointing end to last season, scoring twice and providing three assists as Barca have propelled themselves to the top of La Liga with three wins from their opening three games.
"It is evident that he is best in the world in any attacking aspect," he said.
"This version of Messi helps us a lot because he is a game changer. He does things in training that you can't imagine, things I haven't even seen on the PlayStation.
"We are used to it now but it is a joy and a privilege to have the best player in the world in your team without a doubt."
And despite netting his first two goals of the season, Neymar was also quick to praise the part played by Messi in both goals.
"Messi is the best in the world. He is a star and I am improving with him," the Brazilian told Canal Plus.
"I am very happy with the game today. It went perfectly with the two goals."
Neymar had been left out of the starting line-up after his exertions in captaining his country for the first time in wins over Colombia and Ecuador in the past week, but made the difference in a tight contest when he slotted home from Messi's through ball 11 minutes from time.
And the two combined once more five minutes later as this time Messi breezed past three Athletic defenders before cutting the ball back for Neymar to side-foot home.
It is not just going forward that the Catalans have impressed at the start of Enrique's reign as they have also started the league season with three consecutive clean sheets for the first time in 20 years.
"I think against a team like Athletic it highlighted how little we restricted them to," added Enrique.
"That means that we have pressed high and defended well. To do that you have to be solid and know what you are doing.
"It seems that we aren't quite being clinical enough, but we have players like Neymar and Sandro who have come off the bench fresh in the last two games and have the ability to score goals."
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