Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano believes Lionel Messi is the only player whose talent makes him bigger than the club.

The Argentine's future at the Catalans has been cast in doubt recently, as he is yet to sign a new deal while his current contract expires next year.

Barca's humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain this week in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg, has further fueled the speculation that Messi is looking for a move.

His compatriot, Mascherano, has commented on the superstar's value, claiming that he is more important than Barcelona itself.

"[Messi] is indispensable, but the rest of us are dispensable," Mascherano told Barcelona's official magazine.

"Leo is a unique player. We're talking about the best player in history, for this club and for the sport. Important people have left Barca in recent years, people that will stay in the club's history, but the team still works, it still wins.

"No, the club is bigger than any manager, than any player… except Leo. That's the reality, and you have to accept it."