Lionel Messi news: 'There's only one Messi and when he speaks, you listen,' Barcelona defender Lenglet on their mercurial leader

What's the story?

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been hailed as an expert of all kinds of football styles and a technical leader by teammate Clement Lenglet in a recent interview with AFP.

Talking to the world's oldest news agency, the French defender said that Messi is often the match-winner for the Catalan giants and adds a certain quality to their team.

In case you didn't know...

Barcelona are up against arch-rivals Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg fixture at the Santiago Bernebau stadium this week and will again square off against the Los Blancos in a second El Clasico within a week's time in LaLiga next month.

Messi had scored the 50th hat-trick of his career in his last La Liga outing and is now within striking distance from breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record of hat-tricks in the history of the competition.

1 - Lionel Messi is the player from the top five European leagues with the most goals scored in:✅ Year 2019 - 10✅ 2019 (all comps) - 12✅ Season 2018/19 - 25✅ 2018/19 (all comps) – 33❌ 2018: 34✅ 2018 (all comps) – 47✅ 2017/18 - 34✅ 2017/18 (all comp) - 45... pic.twitter.com/wuQ3mC8M3c

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 25, 2019

Lenglet joined Barca last summer in a €35 million deal from Sevilla. He will be getting a place in the starting eleven for both of the encounters against Madrid as his compatriot Samuel Umtiti is out injured.

The heart of the matter...

Messi, whose tremendous form this season beckons for him being labeled the best player in the world at the moment, has been called a master of the game by his defensive teammate Lenglet. He praised the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for his perfection and understanding of the game.

He told AFP: (Via Besoccer)

"He is a technical leader when it comes to footballing experience. He watches so many matches, he is an expert on all styles of play and understands the game to perfection."

He said that the Argentine's presence gives the team a natural advantage over opponents and is the player they can always count on to make a difference on the pitch. He continued:

“We try and use him as often as possible. Messi gives us the edge. On the field, he makes the difference so often, in almost every game."

He concluded by saying that there's no other player like Messi and when a player like him offers some advice, you just shut up and listen. He said:

“There's only one Messi and, when he gives advice, you listen.”

What's next?

With two Clasicos scheduled for next week, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top - a Messi-led Barcelona or a rejuvenated Madrid who'll be looking for a revenge of the 5-1 drubbing earlier this season.