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Messi stops Barcelona training to applaud Ousmane Dembele's audacious nutmeg in 'Rondo'

  /  autty

Lionel Messi knows an audacious bit of skill when he sees it and called a halt to Barcelona training.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner trapped the ball under his foot during a 'Rondo' drill after receiving the ball through the legs of Jordi Alba.

Ousmane Dembele had fired a pass which nutmegged the defender, much to the amusement of Messi and his team-mates.

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The £97million signing has struggled to make an impact for the Catalan club on the pitch in a debut season blighted by injury.

But the Frenchman showed a glimpse of his talent, nonchalantly pulling off a nutmeg of the experienced full-back.

No doubt the sight of Messi applauding him will have boosted the 20-year-old who is fighting to secure a starting role in Ernesto Valverde's side.

The 'Rondo' is a classic training drill in the Barcelona camp with players constantly trying to make defenders in the centre look foolish.

It lends itself to Barca's intricate, possession-based style and they will be looking to reap the rewards in their next game, a La Liga fixture against Girona at the Nou Camp on Saturday.