Asked if he feared any defender in his career, Messi claims he’s not bothered by the man marking but named Maffeo as his most complicated marker.

“Man marking doesn’t bother me, but you already know that there will be bad matches, it is strange to always have someone around,” Messi told La Liga on DAZN.

“In truth it hasn’t happened to me so often. It doesn’t bother me, but it is strange.”

Messi added: “Pablo Maffeo of Girona. That was too exaggerated.

,I’ve never been one who complains. I think physical contact and kicks are part of the game.

“I get more annoyed when I played bad and I get a little more angry. But if I’m not, it’s not a problem, it’s part of the game and I don’t take it badly.”

Maffeo, who is currently owned by Stuttgart, has also played for Manchester City on loan.