Currently playing for Inter-Miami, Lionel Messi has been in blistering form for the MLS side. In just four matches into the new season, Messi has registered his name in the scoresheet in three of them. The dominance of Lionel Messi has been evident for decades, even while we are witnessing the twilight of his great career.
Messi has always been lauded by many great coaches and legends of the game. However, there are very few moments that players went on to criticize the greatest. One of those was when an ex-Barcelona player made a comment which shifted the spotlight towards Messi.
Samuel Eto’o referenced Lionel Messi to recall his historic career
Former Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o has never left a chance to praise Lionel Messi. However, on one occasion he expressed a nuanced opinion over Messi as he felt that he also deserves more respect in response to a question of a journalist. The two of the best players for their respective national teams have shared the pitch in 105 matches and have combined for 24 goals for Barcelona.
Samuel Eto'o: "No, I didn't play with Lionel Messi. In my day, it was Messi who played with me. It's completely different." pic.twitter.com/3bNJi3nQxq
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) March 10, 2024
As per reports, in 2021, when Lionel Messi was still at Barcelona before moving to PSG, Samuel Eto’o was asked by the reporter about what Ansu Fati can learn from the Argentine given Eto’o had experience playing alongside the Argentine maestro. Samuel Eto’o instantly corrected the journalist, “No. He played with me- it is different. Messi played with me. I did not play with Messi. In my time, Messi played with me. It is totally different.”
Samuel Eto’o is often regarded as the best African player of all time. The Cameroonian international has played for five years with Messi and has won numerous awards with him. In a 2021 Interview, Eto’o lauded Messi as he believed that he is the “best player in the history.”
Lionel Messi scored his first professional hat-trick 17 years ago
On March 11, 2007, the world witnessed the emergence of a new star as the promising 19-year-old Lionel Messi captured the hearts of the Camp Nou crowd by scoring his first career hat trick against arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Messi’s injury-time goal salvaged a point for his team as the match ended in a draw.
The fixture between Barcelona and Real Madrid is always filled with drama and intensity. During that intense match the score line quickly unfolded as Ruud Van Nisterlrooy scored a brace within the first fifteen minutes. However, Lionel Messi opened the score line as he went on to score the equalizer 2 times in the first half.
In the second half, Sergio Ramos managed to put Real Madrid ahead in the 73rd minute. However, despite the odds, the diminutive 19-year-old Messi managed to score the injury-time goal that left the defenders helpless. This marked Lionel Messi’s first hat-trick of his career, a remarkable feat achieved against the mighty Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the greatest players of Barcelona along with the names of Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola. He has played a total of 778 games and has scored 672 goals for Barcelona. Since his first hattrick against Real Madrid, he has scored 57 hat tricks for both club and country.
There is no denying that Messi is one of the greatest players in the history of football. This generation is truly blessed to witness the greatest to ever play on the field. Share your thoughts and tell us your favorite Lionel Messi moment.
