Barcelona ace Leo Messi is full of praise for the form of Samul Umtiti this season.

Umtiti's season has been fantastic, he has established himself as the club's best central defender and Messi is not at all surprised by the Frenchman's development.

"[Umtiti] trains in the same way he plays," Messi told World Soccer. "He doesn't leave anything in reserve; he's an excellent person away from the pitch as well.

"Seeing how he trains, I'm not surprised at what he does in matches, I see all his qualities."