In 2017, Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, revealed that the Argentine star bought his neighbour’s house because they had rude and noisy tenants. The legendary forward is one of the most well-compensated athletes in the world, a just reward for his many exploits on the pitch.
Messi started his career at La Masia to become their greatest ever player. He made 778 appearances for the club and bagged 672 goals and 303 assists before he left in 2021 after his contract expired.
In an interview about the incident in 2017 with a Croatian newspaper, Rakitic revealed that the Argentine star wanted his privacy, saying via The Sun:
“I have never been to Las Ramblas and Montjuïc, for example. I did not have any problems with the neighbours, not like Messi in Castelldefels – he had to buy his house from the neighbours because they were noisy, and so he could be alone.”
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Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic played 277 games together at Barcelona and combined for 27 goals. The pair won four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey and one UEFA Champions League.
“Leo was with that magic touch from the beginning”: Barcelona sporting director discusses Lionel Messi
Barcelona sporting director, Deco heaped praise on Lionel Messi for his ‘magic touch’. The Portuguese administrator laid alongside the legendary Messi at the club and remains in awe of his abilities on the ball.
Deco played 79 games alongside Messi and combined with him for nine goals. The pair won two La Liga, three Copa del Rey and one UEFA Champions League title together.
Speaking about the World Cup-winning star’s abilities, the Portuguese director said via Barca Universal:
“We watched him in training and knew how good he was; different people fool no one; you can see that from the first minute. This is something you can see in people who have that magic touch, that exceptional talent from others; you see it from the beginning.”
The former attacking midfielder concluded:
“Cristiano Ronaldo often relied on dribbling on the flanks, then turned into a distinguished scorer. As for Messi, Leo was with that magic touch from the beginning, and he continued to play as he did since the first day we saw him.”
Lionel Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 to join French giants, Paris Saint-Germain. The 37-year-old now plays for MLS outfit Inter Miami and is the highest goalscorer in history with 33 goals.
