Messi was 125 days older than inspired winger Torres when he hit a treble for Barcelona against Tenerife under the watch of Guardiola in 2010, and the managerial mastermind gave a glowing assessment of his summer signing from Valencia after he scored three times in 25 minutes to decide a classic.

Torres' first, which put City ahead for the first time in a thrilling 4-3 win at home to Newcastle, saw him latch on to a free kick from out wide and flick the the ball into the net from the edge of the the six yard box with a clever back heel that gave goalkeeper Martin Dubravka no chance.

"I may have to think about playing him as a striker. He can be a number nine. He is an alternative, he is brilliant," Guardiola said after watching Ferran take his tally to 13 for the campaign.

"This is his first season in England and his numbers are exceptional in terms of goals.

"The movement he creates as a striker, the runs in behind. His last goal: the ball hits the crossbar and where does it come? He is there."

With the Premier League title won, Guardiola rotated his squad and gave several players a chance to stake their claim for a place in his Champions League final starting XI later this month, including a 14th start of the season for Torres.

"He has the smell, the striker’s nose, being intuitive to be there one second before the ball arrives. He has this talent and is a good finisher," Guardiola purred, hinting that Torres could even make him think twice about bringing in a direct replacement for departing club legend Sergio Aguero.

"Maybe we buy a striker, maybe we don’t. But we have a guy who is young. I can use him left, right or as a striker."