LIONEL MESSI SHOWS OFF HIS GIGANTIC PET DOG

Lionel Messi has posted a picture to his Instagram account showing off his pet dog's remarkable growth spurt.

The Barcelona star, currently recuperating from a groin injury, was gifted the Dogue de Bodeaux by girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo at the start of this year.

And eight months after publishing snaps of the moderately sized addition to the Messi tribe, the five-time Ballon D'or winner has proffered a pictorial update of his dog's considerably expanding dimensions.

DOGUES DE BORDEAUXS

Lionel Messi's gargantuan pet is a French Mastiff, a breed of dog known for its size and power.

Such is their inherent strength they were formerly employed to transport heavy objects, while their imposing appearance has also seen them deployed as guard dogs.

Notoriously difficult to train, Dogues de Bordeauxs quickly become completely attached to their owners.

And Messi would do well to keep a few spare cloths around his home. His type of dog is prone to drooling - a lot. 

Messi has two children with Roccuzzo, his partner of eight years. He is one of a host of high-profile footballers to regularly publish photos of their dogs for public consumption.

Indeed, a selection of players with connections to Real Madrid, the arch-rivals of Messi's club side, are especially fond of keeping the world abreast of their pets' antics.

James Rodriguez and Marcelo, both currently at Real, have form for loading their social media accounts with shots of their dogs. So too Mesut Ozil, the Arsenal playmaker bought from the Bernabeu Stadium club.

And another current Real Madrid man, Isco, has confessed to setting aside club enmities to name his own dog after Messi.