Rodrigo de Paul has revealed a joke he shared with Lionel Messi while part of a camp with the Argentinian national team.
The Udinese man has formed a pragmatic partnership with Leandro Paredes in midfield for Lionel Scaloni's side in recent months.
"Messi tells Paredes and I that all our opponents hate us," De Paul told Club 94.7.
"We responded by telling him that we have to do the fighting because we can't send him to do it. We laughed a lot."
De Paul also touched on Messi's leadership qualities as captain of the national team.
"Messi made himself available [to us] as the captain that he is," De Paul added.
"We're in the group between the oldest and the youngest players.
"Sometimes we sit down and we listen to the experiences of the older players."
suleimanu1567
562
Sometimes we sit down and we listen to the experiences of the older players."
mutunhuuzerenemago
476
How I wish I cld sneak into elderly and inspiring conversations like that
Toyosi-10
470
people thinks he didn't deserve the captain ban because he did not usually go and put the referee or fight with him over a decision but little do they know that he motivate the team and make them aspire for something better
KHETHLWAZ
175
"Messi tells Paredes and I that all our opponents hate us," he creates a spirit within the team that will make the feel they deserve every win❤💙