Lionel Messi Called ‘Best Player In The World’ By Young Barcelona Teammate

Frenkie de Jong is making the most of his chance playing alongside Lionel Messi in Barcelona. The Dutch midfielder lauded his legend teammate and called him the best player in the world as he shared how the Argentine star influences the positive progress of his game at Camp Nou.

“If Lionel Messi is talking and giving you advice you take it as he is by far the best player in the world,” de Jong told Guillem Balague in an exclusive interview for BBC Radio 5 Live’s European Football Podcast.

“If he gives advice, you listen. Sometimes he says you have to be deeper or to the side, small things but it makes the difference.”

The 23-year-old is currently in his first season at Barca after he opted to sign a five-year contract worth $85 million last summer despite earlier interests from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. He made his debut in La Liga on the 16^th of August as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao, 1-0.

De Jong was a highly touted prospect prior to his transfer to Camp Nou, especially coming off an impressive showing for Ajax in the 2019 Champions League semi-finals. However, his promising credentials did not give him the outright license to play the same role for Barcelona as he did for his former club.

"In Ajax and the Dutch squad I've had a different role but we're playing with a double six (two defensive midfielders)" he told BBC Sport.

"I have to adapt and it's going OK, but I can improve. I'm at my best when I'm not the most defensive but also not the most attacking (midfielder).

But despite the tough transition, de Jong is not complaining. In fact, he is thankful to be given the chance to play and grow with his “dream” team.

"It was my dream to play for Barcelona,” he added. “They were my favorite club outside of the Netherlands. When they came and showed they were really interested they made the choice easier.

"At the beginning, I didn't have the feeling Barcelona really wanted me. But they said you have a good chance of being a starter and it was really easy for me.

"(Josep Maria Bartomeu) talked about the other clubs and Pep Guardiola and said when he was at Barcelona he was amazing. He said Guardiola was the greatest manager but told me: 'If you want to enjoy your life, you want to play in Barcelona.’

"Sometimes when I'm driving to the training ground you see the weather and there are these moments when you think: 'I always wanted this as a kid'. It's a dream, I'm really happy.”

De Jong has netted two goals in 26 appearances this season in La Liga, which is set to resume on the 11^th after a three-month hiatus due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Barcelona is scheduled to play Mallorca on the 13^th.