Moyes' Sociedad have already beaten Barca this term, but, as the Scot targets a double, he waxed lyrical about Messi's talents.
"No-one can defend against Messi," the former Manchester United boss said.
"He may have the odd off day, but he's one of the best players of all time. Teams try and stop him but he carries on, makes no fuss.
"I admire Messi for what he represents, his fantastic football and the fact that he doesn't dive or fake injury - things that repulse me in the world of football."
Neymar helped to keep Barcelona on course for La Liga glory with the decisive goal in a battling 2-0 win over Real Sociedad.
Heading into the match with a slender two-point advantage over rivals Real Madrid at the summit and buoyed by Wednesday's spectacular 3-0 UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich, Barcelona endured a frustrating first half at Camp Nou.
Sociedad claimed a famous 1-0 victory over their illustrious opponents in January and remained in with a chance of repeating the dose as waves of Barca attacks were repelled.
Luis Enrique's team began the second period with renewed vigour and were rewarded when Neymar nodded in a 51st-minute opener.
The match remained in the balance until substitute Pedro rifled home a superb overhead kick to quell Sociedad's hopes of a late rally.
It was a goal that put the pressure back on Real Madrid, with Barca in the driving seat for their penultimate Liga match at Atletico Madrid - a fixture that could be affected by potential strike action relating to a dispute over Spanish football's new television rights agreement.
Fresh from his midweek heroics, Lionel Messi tested Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli with a looping header from Dani Alves' right-wing cross.
Alves supplied the ammunition again when Luis Suarez glanced over in the ninth minute before Rulli got out to smother Neymar's shot following a one-two with Messi.
A foray forward from Gerard Pique called Rulli into action once more and outcome did not match ambition when the Barca centre-back tried to convert the rebound with an overhead kick.
Suarez planted another header off target in the 33rd minute after Messi followed some dazzling footwork with a precise chip across the area.
Rafinha combined with Marc Bartra from Xavi's free-kick - three players recalled by Barcelona coach Luis Enrique - six minutes before the break but the former was denied by an excellent block from Mikel Gonzalez.
Alves then flashed a drive wide, but David Moyes' team held out under relentless pressure to reach half-time on level terms.
Rulli picked up where he left off before the break, pushing Barta's header from Xavi's corner out of the top corner.
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