Messi's former teammate, former Argentine captain Roberto Ayala explains the transformation of Barcelona leader.
"Messi likes to be treated like just one more [player in the group]. He was a very introverted person who has grown a lot in recent times. Today he is a leader on and off the pitch, with the right word. At beginning, when we were teammates, Messi usually didn't speak. What's more, he went out to train because it was compulsory. Otherwise, he'd stay in his room," Ayala explained.
"Today he participates in everything," he continued, "he talks to his teammates, asks them how they are. In the preview of the matches he also talks a lot. He does things in silence that serve a lot for the group."