Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has claimed that his teammate Lionel Messi contradicts the idea that no player is bigger than a football club, highlighting the significance of the Argentine striker.
Messi has won 28 titles with Barcelona since his debut in 2005 and has cemented his status as a true legend at the Camp Nou and beyond.
In an interview with the Barcelona's official magazine, as quoted byFootball España,Mascherano said: "[Messi] is indispensable, but the rest of us are dispensable,"
"Leo is a unique player. We're talking about the best player in history, for this club and for the sport.
"Important people have left Barca in recent years, people that will stay in the club's history, but the team still works, it still wins.
"No, the club is bigger than any manager, than any player... except Leo. That's the reality, and you have to accept it.
"I can't speak in Leo's name, but in my personal opinion the marriage between Barca and Leo has had a lot of joy for a long time and there's still time for more
.@Mascherano: Messi is the most influential player in the club's history.� pic.twitter.com/WdXq8N3JPK
"I don't see any reason for a divorce because both parties benefit from the relationship and I think that can continue.
"In my opinion, I can't imagine Leo playing for another team at this level."
The 29-year old has scored 329 goals in 367 games for FC Barcelona and is Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer with 57 goals.
The attacker was in the Barcelona side which lost to Paris St-Germain 4-0 in midweek, and will look to take revenge in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16