Lionel Messi: 'I don't have any rituals'

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi has revealed that he 'remains calm' in the dressing room before each match.

During an interview with FourFourTwo, the Argentine also claimed that he does not have any pre-match rituals and approaches each game in a similar manner to training.

"I start preparations much like the rest of the squad, after the previous match has finished," Messi told the magazine.

"We talk about what we did well and what we can improve on. We play lots of games in a short space of time so it's important to always look forwards and never backwards in football . Before a game it's similar to how I am at training. I don't have any ritual. I just put on whatever item of clothing is nearest to me.

"I'm not the sort of person who goes around screaming and shouting before a game either. I prefer to remain calm, with my own thoughts, and think of some situations that I'm likely to face in the game ."

Messi scored his 400th goal for Barcelona in Saturday's 2-0 win over Valencia.