Barcelona coach Xavi admits he's been in contact with Lionel Messi this week.

The former Barcelona captain revealed that he contacted his former teammate and current Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi after his team's Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid.

"I have sent my encouragement to Messi," Xavi declared.

"These are football situations, Real Madrid turned it around with faith and desire and won the tie. The Champions League is like that.

"It happens to us too. If you lower the intensity, they can beat us."