De Jong: When Messi Gives Advice, You Listen

“If Lionel Messi is talking and giving you advice you take it, as he is by far the best player in the world. 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.”

De Jong says he has had to tweak his game, but is learning from the best.

“In Ajax and the Dutch squad I’ve had a different role but we’re playing with a double six [two defensive midfielders],” he added.

“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].

It could be a successful first season in Spain for the Dutch midfielder as Barcelona are top of La Liga and in the Champions League last 16.

However, not everything has gone smoothly as coach Ernesto Valverde was sacked in January, despite them being top.