Former Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi is excited about the club's young players.

While Messi's future remains in doubt at Barca, Mascherano says his fellow Argentine has spoken to him about Pedri and Ansu Fati's emergence.

He told TMW: "Pedri, (Francisco) Trincao and Ansu Fati have great potential.

"It is not obvious to play at these levels at 18-19 years, but above all Pedri and Ansu managed to find continuity of performance and even become starters.

"Messi and other former Blaugrana teammates spoke very highly of them, describing them as boys who have a great desire to keep improving and improving. The road is the right one."