One of FC Barcelona's new signings has revealed what his first encounter with the club's record goalscorer Lionel Messi was like in the team gym.

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USA international Sergino Dest has impressed in his first few games for the Catalan club since his arrival from Ajax Amsterdam.

The right-back was particularly good against Real Madrid in El Clasico last weekend, and was widely hailed for his composure and maturity despite being just 19 years old.

While he might appear calm and collected, Dest is starstruck by his new colleague Messi, whom he could not believe he was seeing in real life during their very first encounter at the club's training facility.

"It's unbelievable," he told CBS Sports.

"The first time I saw him, he was in the gym, I came in and looked to the right and I saw him. My face lit up, like, 'Wow, that's Lionel Messi next to me'.

"It's special. To play with him, to pass him the ball, to get the ball from him, it's really special to play with the best player in the world."

Dest has already made seven appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this season.

Click through the gallery below to see where Messi ranks among the best-paid players in LaLiga!