Lenglet: Messi is a friend, his behaviour makes you see him that way Barcelona Spoke about his non-football life

Clement Lenglet's importance at Barcelona has grown over the last 12 months and he now sees Lionel Messi as a friend as well as a teammate.

The Frenchman has praised the Argentinian for his down to earth nature, which he says makes it easy to get along with him.

"He's the best player in the world," Lenglet told L'Est Republicain.

"But I also consider him a friend in the dressing room.

"He acts so simply every day that you're forced into seeing him in this way."

The defender's level of fame has risen since starring at the Camp Nou, but it hasn't changed who he is as a person.

"I haven't changed my lifestyle," he explained. "I wasn't a star at Nancy and I'm not now.

"I earn very well and when I go to a restaurant I don't have to look at the price.

"I do allow myself some nice things, but I'm not buying a Ferrari. It's nice, sure, but it's just a car and it doesn't attract me more than any other."