Arthur reveals how he found out about Messi's praise

Brazil midfielder Arthur Melo has revealed how he took to the Internet to check what Lionel Messi had said about his was real.

Messi spoke highly of Arthur in an interview with Catalunya Radio at the start of the season, comparing him to former Barça captain Xavi Hernandez.

"[If Messi] had said Arthur is a good player I would have been happy," the Brazil international told El Periodico. "But then I went online to find out because I was wondering what he'd said about me. I got out my phone and searched.

"When I saw the interview, in which he spoke so highly of me, I had a smile from ear to ear and I thought: 'Is all that true?' That someone who for me is the best every says all that... there is no one else like him. There's no one who does what he does.

"Sometimes, it even seems he's not human. Those things that he does are as if he was playing against me in school when I was four or five years old. It made me happy.

"He's helped me a lot. He speaks with me a lot, everything he says to me gives me confidence. 'Arthur, you can do it.' And he doesn't just say it to me, but also in the press. It's really important to have the backing of all your teammates."

Arthur's had to bide his time since arriving from Gremio in the summer but now looks to have established himself in Ernesto Valverde's side after impressive performances against Tottenham and Valencia.