Lionel Messi gave a surprising name when asked about the toughest defender he has faced in his career.

Messi shares about the defender he fears most in his career

Throughout his great career, Messi has faced many world-class defenders, but few have been able to trouble him. However, in September 2017, Messi faced a tense battle that he still remembers to this day.

Messi’s Barca faced Girona in La Liga at the time and won 3-0. The Argentine superstar had scored 11 goals in five games before this clash, but could not add another goal at the Montilivi Stadium.

That was partly because Messi was being closely marked by centre-back Pablo Maffeo throughout the game. Maffeo was on loan from Man City to Girona at the time, and Messi was full of praise for the defender for doing his job so well.

“Being marked doesn’t bother me. You know there are going to be tough games and having someone next to you all the time can be weird. It doesn’t happen to me too often, to be honest. It doesn’t bother me, but it is weird.

Messi was closely marked by Maffeo

Girona’s Pablo Maffeo was really tough. It was a very intense game! I’m never one to complain. I think physical contact is part of the game,” Messi told DAZN, as quoted by FourFourTwo.

According to Maffeo, he and Messi had conversations throughout the match. The 1997-born defender also said that the Barca legend is a “good guy”. After a period playing for Stuttgart, Maffeo is now playing for Mallorca in La Liga.

Maffeo had the opportunity to train with Messi last November after being called up to the Argentina squad by coach Lionel Scaloni. Maffeo had played for Spain’s youth team but was allowed to play for Argentina because his mother is of that nationality.

To date, Maffeo has yet to play for any country.

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