Lionel Messi entertains millions of fans all over the world. It’s time to name the top 3 fans of the Argentinian from the football world.
Lionel Messi has achieved the impossible in his football career and anyone who had the opportunity to glimpse the magician from near or from distance could nothing but express their gratitude for the star man’s dribbling, free kicks, clinical edge, through balls, assists, and numerous other skills he displays consistently on the field.
Lionel Messi has millions of fans across the globe. These included people from various countries, celebrities, corporate CEOs, and legends from the football sport itself. Many football experts have talked highly of the little magician over the course of his career and it’s time to name the top 3 fans of Lionel Messi in the list of millions.
3. Xavi Hernández
A 16-year-old kid moving swiftly past the accomplished defenders like Carles Puyol was a rare sight for Xavi in the training sessions at Camp Nou. The former midfielder had recalled this experience with Messi in his interview with Julio Maldonado. The Barcelona legend was blown away to discover the skilful Argentinian was still 16. Xavi remains one such player who has watched Messi become the greatest of all time from very near.
Xavi has never failed to praise Messi in an interview. He stated: “For me, Messi is the strongest in the world. Indeed, the strongest in history” during his recent interview with Corriere dello Sport. The Spanish International has consistently stood by his Barcelona teammate in the most critical debate of recent football history: “Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo?”.
2. Gary Lineker
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The former English footballer and the current sports broadcaster has constantly talked highly of Lionel Messi. The former Barca man was found praising the Argentinian when he stated in an interview prior to the Tottenham match: “he is the best player to ever put on a pair of boots. It’s as if he sees the game from afar, at the same time as he is playing (…) He never rises to provocation, and he is a great example to both the world of football and to every young person who plays the sport.”
Lineker, who has provided meaningful insights to the football fans in his broadcaster career, also stated that Messi wasn’t human because of the extraordinary achievements of the number 10 and the inability of any other player to replicate the number of roles he fills at once. He does have a strong Barcelona connection due to his time with the club from 1986-1989, which means he probably pays more attention to La Liga than the average former footballer. Nonetheless, he is just one of many to recognise Messi’s genius.
1. Pep Guardiola
The former Barcelona manager was in the news this week due to his supposed attempt to sign Messi at Manchester City. Though Pep denied any such reports, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he did sign him someday. Pep inevitably has been the most die-hard fan of Lionel Messi. The current Manchester City manager has seen the star man closely at the Catalan club and knows the spark in the Argentinian since his academy days.
Pep has called Messi the best player of all time and has frequently compared him with legends like Ronaldinho and Pele. It’s this routine appreciation Pep has had for Messi that always links both the La Masia graduates together in transfer rumours. There is a strong case to be made that he brought the best out of Messi and could still do the same even though he has changed significantly as a player.