A former FC Barcelona defender has claimed he was better than Lionel Messi at one particular skill.
This comment has resurfaced among supporters who remember the club’s successful period under Luis Enrique.
Although many would agree with Messi’s talent at set pieces, the defender offers a different perspective. The identity behind the remark may surprise some.
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Jeremy Mathieu claims he was better than Lionel Messi at free kicks
In a conversation with Barca Blaugranes, Jeremy Mathieu stated, “I think I was better at free kicks than Lionel Messi.”
The former centre-back made this remark jokingly, highlighting his own confidence in free-kick situations.
While at Barcelona, free-kick duties were primarily handled by Messi, whose accuracy and reliability became hallmarks of his career.
Jeremy Mathieu shares details of his initial talk with Luis Enrique before joining Barcelona
Mathieu also recounted his first conversation with Luis Enrique before his move to the club in 2014, stating: “I love how you play. If I’m the coach, I want you on the team.”
He added, “I didn’t want to say ‘Wait, because for now you’re not Barcelona’s coach.’ I thought, ‘Let’s see if he’s selling a dream.’”
This exchange reflects the ambiguity at that time, as Luis Enrique had not yet officially taken over. Mathieu eventually completed the transfer and became part of a team that achieved significant success.
While his comparison to Messi’s free-kick ability may have been made in jest, it adds another interesting story to Barcelona’s rich history.