Real Madrid stars told secret about Barcelona ace Lionel Messi by Florentino Perez

REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez has reportedly uncovered a secret about Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Barcelona are currently running away with La Liga and sit 10 points clear of third-placed Madrid.

However, Perez doesn’t fear Barcelona’s strong start as he reckons Lionel Messi could start to fade away in the second half of the season.

Ernesto Valverde rested the Argentine for Barca’s Champions League clash in midweek despite the 30-year-old not suffering from any physical complaints.

But according to Spanish publication Diario Gol, Perez feels Messi is more focussed on being fit for Argentina than Barca over the next few months.

With the Russia World Cup next summer, Messi is desperate for another chance to win the biggest tournament in international football.

Many in Argentina feel the forward is yet to live up to Diego Maradona’s reputation as the country’s best ever because success with his country has so far eluded him.

And Perez feels that is in the back of Messi’s mind this season.

Diario Gol claim Messi’s sole focus will be on Argentina and that may see him want to not take risks with his fitness for the Catalan giants.

Perez has now informed his Real Madrid stars of the situation regarding Messi in a bid to build their confidence.

If they feel Messi may not be performing his best for Barca, Madrid’s confidence will enable them to try and close the gap and not give up on the title chase.

Madrid take on Malaga at the Bernabeu tomorrow afternoon while Barcelona travel to second-placed Valencia on Sunday looking to extend their four-point gap over Marcelino’s side.