The player Lionel Messi said was his toughest opponent now set to change allegiance to play for Argentina

Lionel Messi is set to be reunited with the player he deems to be his toughest ever opponent.

But Messi revealed his most difficult opponent is the relatively unknown Pablo Maffeo.

"Man-marking doesn't bother me - you know that there will be tough matches and it can be strange to always have someone around you,” Messi told DAZN,

“In truth, it hasn't happened to me that often. It doesn't bother me, but it is strange.

“Pablo Maffeo of Girona [was the toughest man-marker]. That was intense!

“I've never been one who complains. I think physical contact and kicks are part of the game."

However, in a strange twist of events, Messi could now be teammates with Maffeo.

Maffeo, now plying his trade with Mallorca in La Liga, was born in Spain and has represented La Roja at various youth levels, including both Under 19 and Under 21.

But he hasn't made an appearance for the senior Spain squad and is therefore able to make the switch.

Maffeo had planned to turn out for Spain but is eligible to play for the World champions through his mother, who was born in the country.

Talks have progressed in recent times, with manager Lionel Scaloni a huge fan and desperate to bring him in.

Maffeo and the AFA are waiting for a "bureaucratic matter" to be resolved but the federation are confident it will be as they have already told his club he is on their squad list for upcoming games against Uruguay and Brazil.