Lionel Messi is a “machine built to play football”, according to his former Barcelona team-mate Xavi, Goal reports.
Messi, 30, is considered among the all-time greats, having enjoyed a spectacular career that has included success at both a team and personal level.
The Argentina star has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns among numerous other trophies.
Messi is also a record five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Xavi, the midfielder who was at Barca until 2015, lauded his former team-mate.
“Leo can do (what) Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and (Sergio) Busquets (do) at the same time and continue to do Messi,” he told The Tactical Room.
“He seems a machine built to play football, with that rubber ankle that sticks to the ball.”
In good news for Barca amid speculation over his future, Messi signed a new deal earlier this month to keep him at Camp Nou until 2021.
Meanwhile, Messi has told Neymar to forget about Paulinho joining the club.
Brazil superstar Neymar is close pals with the Tottenham flop who is currently strutting his stuff at Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande.
Despite Paulinho’s fall from grace, Neymar has been desperate to bring his compatriot to the Nou Camp.
Spanish media outlet Don Balon say Neymar told new boss Ernesto Valverde to secure his services — and the former Athletic Bilbao chief was readying a raid.
However, it’s suggested senior figures in the Barcelona dressing room – including Messi – were far from impressed with Paulinho’s potential arrival.
Don Balon says Messi has now informed Neymar that there’s no chance Paulinho will be joining the La Liga giants.
