Manchester City starlet Pablo Maffeo man-marks Lionel Messi in pristine performance during Girona’s defeat to Barcelona
Argentine superstar was so intrigued to find out who was defending against him he quizzed young right-back after the match
LIONEL MESSI is used to having the ball stuck to him - but not another player.
Manchester City kid Pablo Maffeo - on loan at Girona for the second season running - made a lasting impression on the Barcelona superstar during Saturday's 3-0 La Liga defeat with his man-marking.
Video highlights show the Spanish right-back on Messi like a shadow.
And so persistent was his defending that he managed to stifle the Argentine who had fired four past Eibar midweek.
Maffeo, 20, earned himself not only a yellow card for a tug on the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, but plaudits from the man himself.
Messi was intrigued to find out who it was nullifying his threat that he quizzed the youngster at full-time.
Maffeo said: "He [Messi] asked me a couple of things, like if I was loaned by City and how old I was. It was all good.
"I had to mark him and I had to be close to him and not watch the ball.
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"It is difficult, not just from a football perspective, but also psychologically.
"I appreciate the trust the coach placed in me."
Amazingly, Maffeo did not ask Messi for his shirt after the match in order to uphold a promise.
He explained: "A friend of mine wanted Ter Stegen's shirt so I asked the goalkeeper.
"Messi is the best footballer in the world, but friends come first."
Maffeo's defensive display also caught the eye of boss Pep Guardiola, who praised the loan system for giving him the chance to shine on a bigger platform.
The City chief said: "I've always said that Premier League second teams don't compete very well at that level. They need this kind of competition.
"If they can't play in the first team, they need to go to other leagues like the Netherlands and Spain and be in those big games playing against players like Messi. That is the best way to improve.
"Young players like Pablo Maffeo and others must play and the sooner they reach this level of competition the better for them to take a step forward and become better players."
