"He’s the best player in history" - Former Barcelona star's comments on Lionel Messi resurface amid Inter Miami reunion reports
Former Barcelona defender Marc Bartra’s comments on Lionel Messi have resurfaced as the former is reportedly on MLS side Inter Miami's radar. Bartra once said sharing the locker room with Messi was one of the best things that has happened to him.
Like Messi, Bartra is also a product of La Masia. The two played 74 matches together at La Blaugrana and had seven joint goal participation. However, while the Argentine ace Messi plays for Inter Miami, Bartra represents Real Betis.
But they could be reunited as Messi's Inter Miami are reportedly considering signing Bartra. The Herons recently appointed former Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano as the coach, replacing Tata Martino.
Meanwhile, Bartra had previously praised Messi and talked about sharing the dressing room with the Barca legend.
''It’s one of the best things that happened to me in my career, sharing a dressing room with him for many years, it’s incredible, it’s a continuous learning experience as a professional, and above all, as a teammate, in the end, he’s the best player in history for me and for many people,” he claimed.
Bartra’s time at Barcelona was memorable. The Spanish defender won five La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies among other honors.
Lionel Messi said God led him to play for Barcelona
In an exclusive interview with 3Cat a few days ago, Lionel Messi claimed God led him to play for Barcelona. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made this statement during the Catalan club’s 125th anniversary.
Messi is arguably Barcelona’s greatest-ever player and is the club’s all-time highest goal scorer (672 goals). He debuted for La Blaugrana's senior team in 2004 and departed in 2021.
Reflecting on his time at the Barca before the club’s 125th anniversary, Messi said:
"It's an honor to be part of the club, to be a Barça fan. I am lucky that God led me there and I was able to spend most of my life at such a wonderful club. It's a special club, different to the rest, with the difficulties that poses at the moment, given how things are managed in football these days."
"They changed everything and today the club is represented in the way we want. We like the first team, we're hugely proud [to see the youngsters there]. I miss the club a lot, the city, the people, the affection ... And, as always, I hope things keep going well and we can keep making this great club even greater."