Messi: When Mascherano's mad, keep away

Lionel Messi has warned that if Javier Mascherano is in a mood, it’s best to keep out of his way.

Mascherano has published a book about leadership with Nicolas Miguelez which focuses on the values the Argentina midfielder applies to football and his life in general. 

And his Barcelona team-mate, Messi, has written the book’s prologue.   

 "He has his days,” the Catalan club’s all-time top goal-scorer admitted. 

“Sometimes he comes in [to training] wanting to make jokes and chat, but he also has his crazy days.

"When that's the case, it's better not to talk to him. We see him arrive and nobody dares say anything."

However, Messi also praised his colleague’s leadership, explaining how he chipped in at last summer’s World Cup as Argentina reached the final.

"Masch knows how to handle each situation and he is a very positive leader," he added.

“In Brazil I was the captain, but he was by my side the whole time, fixing each error."