The Barcelona captain praised the 16-year-old who has already scored against Osasuna and Valencia in La Liga this season, and who made his Champions League debuty against Borussia Dortmund.

Fati also featured as a substitute during Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Villarreal on Tuesday evening this week, and Messi suggested that a slow introduction to the first team will benefit him.

Speaking on Monday night in an interview with FIFA at their The Best awards, he said: “I really like him and I try to help and support him.

“He’s an amazing player and he’s got what it takes to succeed.

“But if I look at it through my eyes, I’d like them to bring him on gradually, like they did with me when I started, taking things nice and easy and without putting pressure on him.

“You have to remember that he’s only 16. I hope he keeps on enjoying it and that all the fuss around him doesn’t have a negative impact on him because he has the quality to become one of the best.”