Barcelona News: Lionel Messi praised man marker Pablo Maffeo and discussed Man City

BARCELONA star Lionel Messi was man marked throughout his side’s 3-0 win over Girona by Pablo Maffeo, who revealed what the player said to him during the match last night.

Barcelona news Lionel Messi Pablo MaffeoREUTERS

Barcelona's Lionel Messi was man marked by Pablo Maffeo (right)

Barcelona’s Messi struggled to influence play at the Estadi Montilivi - in large part thanks to Maffeo.

Girona’s manager Pablo Machin instructed the Manchester City loanee to track Messi throughout the match.

Maffeo, 20, followed the Argentine superstar wherever he went, frustrating Barca as they tried to find their talisman.

And Messi was so impressed with his man marking that he began talking to Maffeo midway through the game.

"He asked me how old I was and if I was a Manchester City fan,” Maffeo said after the match.

“It is very kind (to say that).”

Barcelona Lionel Messi Pablo MaffeoREUTERS

Pablo Maffeo (right) keeps apace with Barcelona's Lionel Messi

Discussing the man marking tactics on Messi, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde said: “It can happen, but it’s also true that this makes for moments when he can drag his marker out of position and take advantage.

“Messi came to me in the 10th minute to ask how I wanted him to deal with his marker. Messi did well, he was calm and helped the team.”

Maffeo joined City from Espanyol in 2015 but moved back to Spain on loan to Girona last season after making only a handful of appearances.

He is now a regular in Machin’s back line and is tipped as one for the future.

In the end, two own goals and a Luis Suarez strike was enough for Barca to see off lowly Girona.

But that didn’t stop the praise for Maffeo coming in on full time.

The Spain youth player only touched the ball five times and committed three fouls on Messi within the opening 23 minutes before finally receiving a yellow card.

After which he backed off a little but still followed his man wherever Messi ventured.

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