'Messi gets pissed off if he's not given the ball' - Xavi

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has revealed Lionel Messi gets "pissed off" if he's not given the ball.

The duo played alongside each other in Catalunya, winning seven Liga titles together, until Spain international Xavi left for Qatari club Al Sadd in 2015.

Messi is used to getting his own way at Barca and has seen pressure on him to deliver increased since Neymar departed for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain before the 2017-18 season.

"Barcelona and the Argentine national team cannot afford to allow 10 minutes to pass in a game without Leo Messi touching the ball," Xavi told Sport.

"Messi has to be involved in the game. He has to be where things are happening, where the ball is.

"In addition, he's going to get pissed off. If he doesn't touch the ball for five minutes, you have to bring him to where the ball is. He has to participate in the play."

UCJ, UNILORIN.