The day Messi persuaded Paulinho to join Barcelona

Speaking to Spanish daily 'El Periodico', former Spurs man Paulinho revealed the conversation he had with Lionel Messi which ultimately helped him decide on a move to the Camp Nou.

'It was a friendly we played against Argentina in June. I was standing over a free-kick with Willian and another player I don't remember. Suddenly, I see Messi behind me, coming closer and closer and he says to me "Are we going to Barcelona or not?" He said it to me just before I took the free-kick', Paulinho reminisced.

The Brazilian did not hesitate when answering the Barca superstar: 'What did I tell him? "If you want to take me, you can take me. I'll go".

Paulinho also recalled feeling nervous after Messi's comments in that international fixture: 'I was so nervous I told Willian: "You take the free-kick!". After the Brazil-Argentina, I swapped shirts with him. He didn't let me take the free-kick, but I'm here'.