Former Barcelona U-18 coach Sergio Lobera has recalled the first time he saw Lionel Messi at training. The Spanish tactician stated that it took only ten minutes at that time to realize that Messi was an extraordinary talent.
Despite being smaller in size compared to other players in the academy, the Argentine attacker made a difference with his skills. Lobera told Spanish newspaper Brand (via Noticias ao Minuto):
Lionel Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy in 2000 from the Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys. After playing in La Masia and representing the youth teams of La Blaugrana, Messi made his senior debut in October 2004.
The Argentine superstar spent more than two decades at the Catalan club, making 778 first-team appearances, scoring 672 goals and providing 303 assists. He left the LaLiga giants in August 2021 due to financial constraints faced by the club. Nevertheless, he left as Barcelona and LaLiga’s all-time top goalscorer.
Newell’s Old Boys president Ignacio Astore believes that Lionel Messi wishes to join his boyhood club after his contract with Inter Miami expires. The Argentine attacker is in his last year of contract with the Herons, and talks over an extension are reportedly stalling.
Astore told TyC Sports that he hasn’t spoken to the former Barcelona attacker about his contract situation with the MLS side. However, he is aware of Messi’s admiration for the club and desire to return. He said (via GOAL):
Messi never made a first-team appearance for Newell’s Old Boys but played for their youth side from 1995 to 2000 before joining Barcelona.
Shashank has been a Liverpool supporter since 2014 and had first stumbled upon the club after receiving a gift which had the words ‘Liverpool FC’ written on it. He has idolised Steven Gerrard over the years but his favorite football memory is the Reds’ incredible comeback 4-0 win over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semis. He, unsurprisingly, also loves Jurgen Klopp’s managerial style.
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