Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has saluted Lionel Messi for his modesty as the Argentine is enjoying personally a brilliant season.
Messi struck four times in Saturday s La Liga victory over Espanyol at Camp Nou to take his tally in all competitions this season to a staggering 72.
Mascherano said the truly remarkable thing about his countryman is that he has not allowed his success to go to his head.
I even asked if he knew he had scored 72 goals in a season, the former Liverpool man told Mundo Deportivo.
Although he may not be human, it s good that Messi still thinks he is. Messi plays another sport.
The game against Espanyol was also significant for the fact that it was Pep Guardiola s final home game as boss, and the club paid tribute to the outgoing coach in a special ceremony just after the full-time whistle.
Mascherano, for his part, was delighted that Guardiola was given such a fine send-off as he remains incredibly grateful for the way in which he has converted him into a top-class centre-half after arriving in Catalunya in 2010 from Anfield as a defensive midfielder.
Pep is a man of this house and feel the club s colors more than anyone, he explained.
So, the farewell was well deserved.
There is a before and an after Guardiola in terms of my career. He has converted me into the kind of player that I could never have imagined becoming.
In 20 or 30 years, they will talk of the Barca of Messi or Pep, and that s the nicest thing, more so than any the title.
Guardiola has led the Blaugrana to 13 title since taking charge in 2008 and could yet add a 14th, with a Copa del Rey final to come against Athletic Bilbao on May 25.
