Argentina has been urged to follow Barcelona's example if it wishes to regularly get the best out of Lionel Messi.
Javier Mascherano says Argentina needs to replicate Barcelona's versatility if the national side is to see his club and country teammate Lionel Messi regularly at his best.
"Our style of play is based a lot on the characteristics of the players," he told ESPN Deportes. "Barcelona are molded in such a way so that Leo can have the freedom to start in one place but finish in another. And the entire team adapts to his movement."
The Barca forward has regularly come in for criticism within his home country for failing to translate his club form onto the international stage - suggestions that were refueled when Messi failed to lead Argentina to Copa America glory this year, having lost the final on penalties against Chile.