What's the story?
FC Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has hailed Lionel Messi, stating that the mercurial Argentine is a technical leader on the pitch.
In case you didn't know...
The 31-year-old talisman leads the race for European Golden Shoe with 33 goals in all competitions, three goals ahead of second placed Kylian Mbappe.
He is also the undisputed best in the La Liga with 25 goals and has already provided 11 assists for his team. Statistics also reveal that Messi is the best dribbler in Europe's top five leagues.
There is no doubt about Leo Messi's impact with Barcelona once again this season as numbers clearly depict the dominance of the Argentine in the Spanish top flight and across Europe.
Meanwhile, Clement Lenglet has proven to be a vital piece in Barcelona's rearguard in the absence of star defender Samuel Umtiti, who just saw off a long-term injury.
The heart of the matter
Lenglet has revealed that Messi leads the team with his impact on the pitch and the whole squad look towards him as an inspiration.
"He is a technical leader, I remember when I first arrived, he said hello, gave me a little hug - I felt immediately at ease. On the field, he makes the difference so often, in almost every game."
“He's a leader through his experience. He watches football, knows all types of football and has mastered it to perfection. There's only one Messi and, when he gives advice, you listen,” Lenglet concluded.
The Barcelona center back also believes that upcoming clashes against arch rivals Los Blancos will define their season. He added:
“There is the UEFA Champions League and these two games against Real, when we can qualify for a cup final and then gain or lose points on them in the league. We have to manage them properly. It could be pivotal for the rest of the season.”
What's next?
Real Madrid will host FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu twice in the coming week, and the onus will be on Leo Messi to make the difference on the pitch once again.