Lionel Messi’s X-Rated call to arms for Barcelona team-mates at half-time against Napoli

While Lionel Messi continues to let his football do the talking, he has more than shown he has the leadership to inspire his Barcelona team-mates to glory.

Brilliant footage has emerged of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner issuing an expletive rallying cry to his Barcelona colleagues in the tunnel at half-time during their Champions League victory over Napoli.

Messi inspired Barcelona to a 3-1 win in the second-leg of the last-16 tie on Saturday, scoring a fantastic solo goal at the Nou Camp while winning a penalty which Luis Suarez duly converted.

Lionel Messi issued an expletive rallying cry to his Barcelona team-mates at half-time vs Napoli

Messi’s X-rated call to arms to his Barcelona colleagues was captured on camera at Nou Camp

And at half-time with Barcelona 3-1 up and in a commanding 4-2 lead on aggregate over Napoli, Messi was quick to let his team-mates know that their place in the quarter-finals wasn’t booked just yet.

In the video circulating on social media, Messi could be heard shouting in the Nou Camp tunnel: ‘We are going to come out strong, we have a two-goal lead, let’s not be a*******. Now we have to be calmer than ever.’

The Argentine icon then urged his team-mates to humiliate Napoli in the second-half by making the scoreline a rout.

As the players were about to make their way out for the second half, the 33-year-old added: ‘Let’s play quietly, let’s make it eight’.

Messi inspired Barcelona to victory over Napoli to seal their place in the quarter-finals

But while Barcelona didn’t go on to score any more, they eased into the last-eight of the competition – winning 4-2 on aggregate over the Serie A outfit. 

Messi and Co will now take on Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who are enjoying an incredible run of form, in the quarter-finals in Lisbon.

Bayern booked their flight to Portugal after hammering Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate during the last-16 stage. 

Barcelona will have it all to do to squeeze past Bayern as they go in search of their first Champions League crown since 2015. 

Barcelona secured a 4-2 victory on aggregate over Napoli in last-16 of the Champions League