Paulinho says Lionel Messi asked him to join Barcelona… and made him too nervous to take a free kick
PAULINHO has revealed that Lionel Messi's wise words persuaded him to join Barcelona earlier this summer.
The former Tottenham midfielder signed for the Spanish giants in August for a whopping fee of £36million.
The Brazilian claimed that Barca's talisman asked him about a switch to the Nou Camp when they came head-to-head for an international friendly.
During an interview with El Periodico, Paulinho said: "I was getting ready to take a free-kick in a game between Brazil and Argentina.
"Suddenly, I saw Messi behind me getting closer bit by bit, and he says 'are we going to Barcelona or not?' I said, 'If you want to bring me there, you can. I'll go.
"I was so nervous I told Willian, 'you take the free-kick'.
"After that match, I exchanged shirts with Messi. He didn't let me take the free-kick, but I'm here."
Paulinho's summer switch from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande shocked a number of Barca fans - with only 2,000 fans arriving to his unveiling.
However, after a month with the Catalan giants - the 29-year-old is beginning to silence doubters under the management of Ernesto Valverde.
He flopped at Tottenham, but fled to the Chinese Super League after being deemed unworthy of the prolific Barca jersey.
Valverde has introduced the 29-year-old in slow doses, but he has impressed when called upon. He has already tallied two goals an assist.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu was initially accused of signing the Brazilian to enhance his own business interest.
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