Carles Puyol’s Humbling Encounter with Lionel Messi in Training
Carles Puyol shared an enlightening anecdote about his training experience with Lionel Messi, revealing how it made him appreciate the privilege of playing alongside the Argentine superstar rather than facing him on the field.
Speaking to La Vanguardia in 2015, Puyol recalled, “In a one-on-one mini match, I challenged myself, thinking, ‘I’m going to see if I can stop him.’ It turned out to be quite humiliating.”
The former Barcelona captain continued, “Pep [Guardiola] had to intervene, saying, ‘Carles, don’t injure him!'”
Puyol then addressed Guardiola, saying, “If you want to avoid anything, you should stop the session.” Despite his best efforts, Messi effortlessly eluded him, showcasing his incredible skills.
Describing Messi as unparalleled, Puyol stated, “Messi is head and shoulders above anyone I’ve seen. He’s like an alien. He’s even better now than he was four years ago because of his exceptional game-reading abilities. He’s virtually unstoppable.”
Puyol’s revelation offers a glimpse into the extraordinary talents of Lionel Messi and the awe-inspiring experiences of those who shared the training ground with him.
