Lionel Messi reveals Mascherano's 'crazy days' and his leadership qualities

Javier Mascherano was reunited with Lionel Messi at Barcelona in the summer of 2010

Barcelona star player Lionel Messi has revealed that his club and country teammate Javier Mascherano is best avoided if he is in a mood and is having one of his 'crazy days', according to Daily Mail. Both the players have been on the same side, playing for the same club for the past five years at Nou Camp.

The former Liverpool midfielder has published a book about leadership with Nicolas Miguelez which focuses on the values the Argentine applies, on and off the field. Mascherano’s teammate, Messi is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but he has written the preface to the new book, titled ‘The 15 Steps of Leadership’.

The 31-year-old is known for his bad temper and his dirty playing style on the football pitch. It’s one of Mascherano’s traits that makes him one of the best defensive midfielders in the game. In the book, Messi opens up about his compatriot and club colleague, claiming it’s best to keep out of his way when he is having an off day.

“He has his days. Sometimes he comes in wanting to talk and make jokes, but he also has crazy days.” Messi wrote.

“When that's the case it's better not to talk to him. We see him there and no one dares to say anything.”

Messi admits Mascherano is capable of taking up the captaincy role

Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano inspired Argentina to the finals of World Cup 2014 Brazil.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner is out injured but Mascherano stepped up to lead the charge and take up the national team’s captaincy role for the opening World Cup qualifier against Ecuador at home, a game which saw them suffer a loss without their star player.

Without Messi, Argentina looks to be a completely different side but the ‘world’s best player’ has admitted that he often relies on the midfielder to orchestrate the side.

“Masche knows how to handle each situation. He is a very positive leader.” he said.

“At the World Cup in Brazil I had the armband, but he was by my side the whole time, fixing each error.”

Messi’s absence is not an excuse: Mascherano

The La Albiceleste side now travel to Paraguay on Tuesday, looking to get their qualifying campaign back on track. The former Liverpool player has urged his teammates to recover from the defeat and has stated that Messi’s absence is not an excuse.

"It's always important to have Messi. We are not going to have him and it has to be an objective to take a step forward and not an excuse.” he said.

"These things happen, we must recover in the best way and pull forward. We will try to make sure Leo's absence is not an excuse."