Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that Lionel Messi has changed since he was named the club's substantial captain earlier this season.
The 31-year-old succeeds his former teammate Andres Iniesta who ended his 16-year reign at the Camp Nou at the end of last season.
Barca maintain 100% run to the start of the Spanish League season following their slim victory over Real Sociedad last weekend.
They welcome Dutch League side PSV Eindoven to Spain on Tuesday, September 18 in their Champions League opening group encounter, and Bartomeu is full of praise for the new skipper.
"Messi is very happy here. He is delighted and excited about continuing to triumph at Barcelona, " he told Onda Cero on Monday.
"Messi has made a change, he has decided to take on the captaincy and assume that responsibility in the team. "
But the Catalan giants could soon be playing further afield than Europe, with Barca set to face Girona in the United States next year. And Bartomeu has welcomed the controversial development.
"La Liga proposed that we play a match abroad and it seemed a good idea. We have the obligation to promote the league ," he said.
"You have to get closer to the fans and find new streams of income. Playing a match abroad would help us. If it can be played, we'll do it. The club captains have been informed. "
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