Lionel Messi famously described the stadium as having the best atmosphere he has ever experienced in his remarkable career. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has had the opportunity to play at most of the world’s best football arenas, including the famed Camp Nou, where he spent the most of his playing career.
As one of the best players in history, Messi is no stranger to tough circumstances in which fans try to upset him and affect the game. Nonetheless, he highlighted one stadium that stands out above all others, claiming that every player aspires to play there.
Messi rated Celtic Park as the best atmosphere. He played iN
The forward played against the Scottish giants three times in his career.
According to an article published on Celtic’s website in 2015, Messi described the Scottish giants’ stadium as the best atmosphere he has ever encountered as a player. The 37-year-old visited Celtic Park three times during the Champions League and revealed why it was such a fantastic environment to play:
“The games versus Celtic were great, and I want to remember them. Celtic Park is a difficult location to go. It is never easy to obtain a result there.
“We know we’d receive a tough game if we got them in the Champions League, but everyone who played in those Barcelona v Celtic games wants to play there again.
“It is the best atmosphere in Europe and we all want to experience that again.”
Although Messi won twice in Glasgow, the most memorable of the three trips was definitely when Celtic defied expectations and achieved one of the club’s most historic victory in 2012. Despite having only 11% control and five shots to Barcelona’s 23, goals from Victor Wanyama and debutant Tony Watt were enough to give Neil Lennon’s team an extraordinary victory.
Messi Praised Fraser Forster in 2012 Defeat
The England goalkeeper produced a heroic display
Fraser Forster, Celtic’s shot-stopper, was the man of the hour that night, emerging as one of the country’s best young talents following an outstanding performance. The 6ft 7in behemoth made 13 stops to prevent a furious Barcelona, conceding only in the dying moments of the match.
According to talkSPORT, Messi acknowledged that in the years since, players have continued to express their surprise about what the current Tottenham player was able to achieve that night, with some even claiming that Forster should have replaced Victor Valdes when the latter departed the club. The Argentine informed reporters:
“The performance of Fraser Forster against us was widely discussed for a long time. There was one game in Scotland where he was not human, and it was the best goalkeeping performance I have ever seen.
“When Victor Valdes said that he was leaving Barcelona we even talked about him playing here.”
Other greats also loved the Celtic atmosphere.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson were in amazement.
In addition to Messi, Manchester United luminaries Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic, and Sir Alex Ferguson have all been blown away by the incredible excitement at Celtic Park on match days. The Portuguese icons once said, “The Celtic fans are incredible.” It is always enjoyable to play there.”
Ferguson added, “Parkhead is the best I’ve experienced.” The players were only talking about it the other day, with Vidic and Ronaldo claiming it was the best atmosphere they had ever played in. That is to the credit of the supporters, who don’t stop raising their voices. Given their recent results, the Celtic players are undoubtedly reacting to it. You’re going to have to run that additional yard or they’ll find out.”
Endorsements don’t get much better than this, with one of the game’s best managers praising the Scottish venue. People may claim that Ferguson, who is from Scotland, is biassed, but with Messi and Ronaldo feeling the same way, Celtic Park’s iconic position cannot be questioned.
