Lionel Messi is regarded by most football fans as the best player of all time. The Argentine has never been compared to anyone. He has dominated opponents on the field for twenty years, whether it was for his country, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, or even Inter Miami in the United States.
It’s difficult to believe anyone could ever leave the forward star-struck, given his reputation and the caliber of players he’s faced and paired with. The forward has received praise from some of the biggest names in the beautiful game. However, that does not imply that it is not feasible.
One of the stars he ‘couldn’t even look in the eye’ after moving to Camp Nou, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner once acknowledged. It all came down to their Premier League efforts and the reputation they had established, and Thierry Henry was that man.
Messi on Thierry Henry
The two teamed up at Barcelona in the late 2000s
Messi got the opportunity to play with some of the greatest football players of all time while he was at Barcelona. He collaborated with Luis Suarez, Neymar, Xavi, and Gerard Pique, but the Argentine was genuinely enamored with former Arsenal star Henry when he joined the Catalan powerhouses and showed up at Camp Nou.
The Frenchman, who was electric for the Gunners, lived in North London for eight years. During his time in England, he scored 228 goals in 377 games for the team, solidifying his reputation as the best Premier League player of all time. Messi couldn’t even look him in the eye when they became teammates because of those antics with Arsenal. Messi remarked in an interview with L’Équipe, as reported by The Sun:
“I dared not stare at his face the first time he walked into the changing room. I was aware of all his activities in England. We were on the same team all of a sudden once I had a picture of him made.
“The greatest way to explain my feelings for Titi is adoration. I admired Henry’s skill at completing his opportunities as he finishes the play by taking the path to the goal. He makes it seem like it comes naturally. His dribbling, his movement, and his shot are all seamless.
After spending three years together in Spain, the two went on to win two La Liga championships, a Champions League trophy, and a few individual awards. Although Henry’s tenure at Barcelona wasn’t as successful as his time at Arsenal, he had played 121 games for the team and scored 49 goals by the time he left in 2010.
xz
