Lionel Messi and his heroics in soccer have been an inspiration for many. However, for one particular Real Madrid rival, facing this magician ‘cost’ him the most. How? Well, before we get into that, let’s throw some spotlight on the Messi era, during his golden Barcelona days. Back then, the seven-time Ballon d’Or was featured as a regular on the star-studded Barcelona team. 

Together with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, and Neymar – the Argentinian wreaked havoc across the defenses of arch-rivals like Real Madrid. And now, it seems like one of these El Clasicos sparked something within this $34 million Real Madrid star to make a startling confession about the Inter Miami star!

Ex-rival lauds Lionel Messi with surprising compliment putting aside Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry

Guess what? We’re talking about Fede Valverde, the 25-year-old Real Madrid central midfielder. He recently played a crucial role in Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Brazil – who now have to worry about Neymar’s absence. Now, in the aftermath of this vital conquest over the Brazilians, Valverde has made a shocking confession, citing his time playing against Lionel Messi.

His confession is a subtle reminder that while rivalries may divide fans and players on match days, there’s a mutual respect that transcends team allegiances. According to this tweet on X, the 25-year-old revealed: “A player that cost me the most while marking him during my career? Lionel Messi.”

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Valverde’s revelation about Lionel Messi holds a deeper significance when we delve into the context of the statement. Valverde, a young and dynamic midfielder, has been part of Real Madrid, one of Barcelona’s arch-rivals, since 2016. His comment is surprising, not because Messi’s extraordinary skills are unknown, but because it comes from a player who has first-hand experience battling against the Argentine superstar.

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This confession is a reminder that while rivalries may divide fans and players on match days, there’s a mutual respect that transcends team allegiances. Messi’s influence stretches far beyond the Barcelona colors he once donned. But that’s not all – a Chelsea veteran has recently lit up the soccer community with his bold take on the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry.

How Messi and Barcelona’s La Liga rivalry with Real Madrid affected Cristiano Ronaldo

Scott Minto, renowned for his contributions as a former Chelsea left-back and his crucial role in Chelsea’s 1997 FA Cup Final victory against Middlesbrough, recently participated in a compelling discussion on the talkSPORT podcast. As it turns out, during his time as a pundit, Minto had the remarkable opportunity to closely observe two of the most iconic soccer figures in the world – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

He recounted how he was paid to witness the magic these two players brought to every La Liga match. Messi and Ronaldo, with their extraordinary skills and work ethic, provided a spectacle that transcended club loyalties. He reminisced: “I covered Ronaldo and Messi for four years – every single La Liga match. So, I was paid to watch them and it was a pleasure!”

However, in dissecting Ronaldo’s adaptation, he shed light on the transformation that the Portuguese star underwent during his time in Spain. He surprisingly announced: “Ronaldo – to keep up with Messi, realized that he couldn’t do what Messi did. So, he[Ronaldo] became a box player.”

Minto’s observation underscores the rivalry’s impact on Ronaldo, who, driven by the quest for excellence, modified his playing style to continue competing with Messi at the highest level. The La Liga rivalry became a crucible where two of the world’s best players honed their skills and set new standards for soccer greatness.

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