September 11, 2024

Messi’s Love for Barcelona and His Toughest Opponent

Lionel Messi still has a strong connection to Barcelona, even after leaving. He recently named Pablo Maffeo, a former Man City player who never played in the Premier League, his toughest opponent. This highlights Messi’s ongoing respect for his challengers and his lasting bond with the club.

Lionel Messi’s Lasting Love for Barcelona

Lionel Messi’s deep connection with the club is still evident three years after leaving Barcelona.

Even after leaving Barça, Messi still carries a part of the Blaugrana spirit with him wherever he goes.

A subtle yet significant detail highlights his enduring loyalty to the club. In a special case, Messi keeps his mate, a traditional South American drink he frequently carries.

This case’s display of the Barcelona and Argentine national team crests sets this case apart. This modest item underscores how deeply the club is embedded in his identity, even though his time at Barcelona has long since ended.

A tribute on the way?

Even after accomplishing everything in Barcelona, one thing remains missing for Messi: the farewell he had never had the chance to experience.

When Messi left the club in the summer of 2021, it shocked many, and he never had the opportunity to bid a proper farewell to the fans.

A tribute in his honor is planned but will have to wait until the stadium renovations are finished. Once that’s complete, Messi and his family will collaborate with Barcelona to organize a proper farewell, allowing him to finally say goodbye to the supporters who have admired him for years.

Messi’s connection to Barcelona goes beyond just the trophies and accolades. During his tenure at the club, he emerged as arguably the greatest player of all time, capturing every conceivable title at the club level.

His legacy at Barcelona is unparalleled, and his actions still resonate more than words ever could. Messi has consistently voiced his wish to return to Barcelona, expressing a desire to reunite with the club after he retires from football.

Lionel Messi names his “toughest” opponent as a former Man City player who never competed in the Premier League

The World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has faced some of the world’s finest defenders over the past two decades, including Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, and Jerome Boateng. However, none of these players top his list of the most challenging defensive opponents.

In fact, he disclosed in an interview that his toughest opponent was a former Manchester City player who had never appeared in the Premier League.

In an interview with DAZN, Messi identified Mallorca’s right-back, Pablo Maffeo, as the toughest defender he’s faced. The two clashed in 2017 when Messi was still at FC Barcelona, even though his team won 3-0. At that time, Maffeo was playing for Girona.

He said: “Pablo Maffeo of Girona was the toughest – that was intense. I’ve never been one who complains. I think physical contact and kicks are part of the game.”

Maffeo was a 20-year-old on loan to the Spanish side at the time. Although he was with Manchester City from 2015 to 2018, he never made an appearance in the Premier League.

After the Barcelona match, Maffeo said: “When you mark Messi, you have to think that he is a normal person; he has two legs like all of us, and you have to be focused. Messi told me: ‘I’ve got you here for the whole day,’ and I said:’ You’re the best in the world; I’m not going to leave you.’

“He asked me how old I was, if I was on loan from City, how it was going there. He said the marking was not pleasant. Messi and I were together the whole match; he asked me a couple of questions; he’s a good person.”

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