Barcelona legend lambasts individuals claiming they know Lionel Messi | OneFootball

Lionel Messi, without doubt, is one of the greatest ever to play the game of football and his legacy will permanently be tied to Barcelona given his longstanding association with the club.

Having conquered it all including the FIFA World Cup, he is a global role model for players, youngsters, and fans across the globe for his talent, dedication, and ability to step up under pressure time and time again.

Needless to say, he has also inspired many teammates and compatriots over the years, and in his earlier years, been at the other end by picking up inspiration from legends of the game along the way.

Stoichov’s honest admission

Speaking to SPORT in a recent interaction, Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov spoke in detail about Lionel Messi on a personal level and all that is said about his personal life in the media.

Messi’s introversion is well-known. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

First, he was asked how easy it was to actually talk to the Argentine legend, especially given how he is introverted by nature.

“Easy. Is it easy? Easy like pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato),” he began.

He then took a dig at all those who claim to be close to Messi and to have influenced various parts of his life.

“There are people who say they know Messi, that they went to eat with Messi, that he learned from me. Damn!,” he said.

Messi’s introversion, at this point, is well known and evidenced across his numerous interviews over the years, and it is also clear why players would use his name to claim closeness on a personal level.

Stoichov’s explosive interview calls them out and puts into perspective the reality about the Barcelona legend.