Did Messi say Real Madrid is the best team?
Lionel Messi, one of the best football players of all time, is not only famous for his natural skills but also for his outspoken views on football. Despite his long-term commitment and great success with Barcelona, Real Madrid’s arch-rival, Messi has admitted his special respect for Real Madrid, the most successful team in Europe. His words about Real Madrid, the team considered a symbol of dominance and class, have attracted a lot of attention from the media and fans around the world. So did Messi say Real Madrid is the best team? What does this reflect about the relationship between the two top clubs in the world? Let’s find out the details with kingsoccertips in the following article.
Messi saying Real Madrid is the best team?
Lionel Messi has expressed his respect for Real Madrid in his statements. In a recent interview, he admitted that Real Madrid could be considered the best team in the world based on achievements, especially Champions League wins. He explained that in terms of results, Real Madrid stands out for their ability to win major tournaments.
However, Messi also emphasized the difference between results and style of play. He said that Manchester City, under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, is the best team in terms of quality of play. This reflects Guardiola’s attacking and creative style of play, something Messi loved when he played under him at Barcelona.
Messi’s statement is not only a recognition of Real Madrid’s talent and success, but also shows his fair view, despite being a legend of Barcelona – Real Madrid’s arch-rival. This has attracted a lot of attention from the media and fans, especially in the context of the fierce competition between the two teams.
In addition, Messi also mentioned the importance of coaches like Guardiola, who not only create strong teams in terms of results but also bring beautiful football. This shows his admiration for teams with a clear style and philosophy.
Overall, Messi saying Real Madrid is the best team reflects a profound view of football: Success is not only about results but also about how a team performs on the pitch. Although Real Madrid is considered the “king” of results, he still appreciates teams that play football in a way that fascinates people.
Messi’s goals against Real Madrid in history
Lionel Messi has left a deep mark on El Clásico history, with a total of 26 goals against Real Madrid. This is a record in matches between Spain’s two biggest clubs, far surpassing any other player. These goals have been scored in various competitions such as La Liga (18 goals), the Spanish King’s Cup (6 goals) and the Spanish Super Cup (2 goals).
Some memorable moments include:
- Hat-trick at 19 (2007): Messi made his first mark in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Camp Nou. At a very young age, he scored a hat-trick to help Barcelona earn a point against Real Madrid. This performance was not only a statement of his talent but also the beginning of Messi’s dominance in El Clásico matches.
- Champions League solo goal (2011): In the first leg of the semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu, Messi dribbled past the Real Madrid defence to score the second goal as Barcelona won 2–0. The moment became a symbol of his brilliance and ability to make a difference on the international stage. Barcelona went on to win the Champions League that season.
- History celebration at the Bernabéu (2017): One of the most memorable moments was in a La Liga match when Messi scored the winning goal in injury time to give Barcelona a 3–2 win. After scoring, he held up his shirt in front of the Real Madrid crowd – an image that has become a symbol of Messi’s rivalry and pride with Barcelona.
Messi has not only scored in important matches but has also maintained a consistent form throughout his career. His goals show a variety of skills, from long-range shots, free kicks to close-range or solo finishes through the defense. In addition to scoring, Messi also plays a role in creating, contributing greatly to Barcelona’s overall play in El Clásico matches. He is often the one who connects the midfield with the attack, creating a combined strength to confront Real Madrid.
With 26 goals, Lionel Messi is the player with the most goals in El Clásico history, surpassing legends such as Alfredo Di Stéfano or Cristiano Ronaldo. This achievement is not just a number but also shows Messi’s influence and class in the biggest matches in the world.
Will Messi face Real Madrid in the future?
The possibility of Lionel Messi facing Real Madrid in the future will depend on factors such as the club he plays for and the tournament schedule. After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Messi joined Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023. With Inter Miami not being part of the European league system, the chances of facing Real Madrid again at club level are very low unless they participate in international friendlies or the FIFA Club World Cup if Inter Miami qualify.
However, Messi could still face Real Madrid through friendlies between the MLS All-Stars and European teams. In these events, players from MLS often face top European clubs, including Real Madrid.
Other Scenarios:
- Future Transfers: If Messi decides to return to Europe to play for a club with a history of rivalry with Real Madrid, such as Barcelona or another team in La Liga or the UEFA Champions League, the chances of a confrontation would increase.
- International Career: In the event that the Argentina national team plays Spain or a friendly involving Real Madrid players, Messi could be reunited with familiar opponents from Real Madrid.
While the chances of a Real Madrid clash are currently low, Messi is still one of the greatest players in football history, and any future confrontation with Real Madrid would be highly anticipated by fans around the world.
Conclusion
So through the above article, we have decoded for you the information about did Messi say Real Madrid is the best team. Messi has always been known for his absolute loyalty to Barcelona, the club where he built his legendary career and became a global icon. Although he once acknowledged the strength of Real Madrid as a great rival, his statements often focused on competition and mutual respect rather than acknowledging superiority. This reflects the professional sportsmanship and respect that Messi has had for great teams, including Real Madrid, throughout his glorious career!
See more: How many UCL has Messi won? Numbers that surprise fans