Lionel Messi has named Dani Alves as his best friend at Barcelona, a potential boost to the right-back's chances of securing a new deal at the Camp Nou.
Alves, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season, and on-off talks between his agent and the club are currently off amid reported .
Barcelona's current transfer ban means they would be unable to sign a replacement in the summer, putting the Brazil international and his representative Deborah Santana in what appears to be a strong negotiating position.
Santana recently suggested that other top European clubs had already made contract offers to the player, who joined from Sevilla in 2009.
Messi who was asked by who he got on best with at the club and said: "We all get on very well in the dressing room.
"I've always been close with Dani Alves, since we shared the right wing together when I first broke into the Barcelona first-team.
"We've spent many years together, both on and off the field. Day-to-day, we've got a very strong relationship, which is also of a great help on the field -- it means we understand each other's games very well."
Use a to add a comment, subject to Facebook's and Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms.