'Messi's humility only makes him more of a legend' - Lenglet delighted to play alongside Barca idol

Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet admits that it is a privilege to share the field with Lionel Messi, whose "humility" makes him a better player.  

Lenglet joined Barca from Sevilla in the summer, moving in a deal worth €36 million (£32m/$42m) to bolster the Catalans' defence. 

Subsequent injuries to the likes of Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen pushed the player straight into the first team, where he has racked up 13 appearances so far in a mixed start to the campaign for Ernesto Valverde's men. 

Lenglet joked upon arriving at Camp Nou that he was glad to no longer have to face Messi as an opponent , and he cannot hide his admiration for the record-breaking Argentine. 

"As a rival you can try and stop [Messi] but we always knew that it was very difficult," the defender explained to  Goal . 

"As a team-mate it is different because he can change the face of the game and he is still a very humble person, he has a lot of respect for everybody and that makes him even more legendary. 

"We talk about a lot of things, he asks me about French football and we speak about how to play on the pitch. Chatting with him is a different experience, when the best player in the world talks you have to listen attentively. 

"You also have to open your eyes and just watch what he does."

Josep Lago

The former Sevilla man also revealed his best friend in the Barca dressing room, while expressing his hope that Umtiti makes a speedy recovery from injury - even if that means fewer minutes on the pitch.

"[I get along] with many team-mates, they are all great people and I have a good relationship with everybody," he added. 

"I am close to Arthur Melo, because he is a new signing like me and we talk a lot. Also with the French guys and with Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. In truth, there is not a single person with whom I do not speak. 

"[Umtiti] is doing well, he has got back feeling in his knee and he is ramping up his training sessions every day to play as soon as possible. 

"He is a player with great talent and we have to help him recover as quickly as possible."

Following Sunday's 4-3 reverse at the hands of Betis, Lenglet and Barca will have time to regroup as club football stops for the international break. 

The Catalans will be back in action on November 24 with a top-of-the-table clash away to Atletico Madrid, before facing PSV in the Champions League four days later.