Barcelona must adjust to suit 'best player' Messi's needs, says De Jong

A Barcelona player believes the team need to play in such a way that brings out the best in Lionel Messi, who has been struggling lately.

33-year old Lionel Messi, after over a decade of consistency, is finally starting to show signs of slowing down.

The FC Barcelona talisman is yet to find the back of the net from open play in six matches this season. He has been equally inefficient in terms of creativity, having created just one chance in La Liga this campaign.

It is quite evident that the club’s record goalscorer has struggled to adapt to the team’s new system under new manager Ronald Koeman.

As expected, his struggles have had a domino effect on the team form as Barca are winless in their previous three La Liga outings.

It will not come as a surprise if, or rather when, he picks back his form at some point later in the season, and Frenkie de Jong urges his teammates to support Messi’s cause.

De Jong told UEFA’s official website: “When you have Messi in your team, of course, you have the best player in the world in your team.

“You try to get him into the best positions to make a difference and I think we need to adapt to him. When he is receiving the ball in a position where he can make the difference, he will make it for you, always.”