Lionel Messi's changing room conduct emerges as ex-team-mate tells all

Daily Mirror

09-06-2025

Ex-Barcelona star Marc Bartra has opened up about the intense drive and high standards of the legendary Lionel Messi. The defender shared a dressing room with the Argentine icon at the Catalan giants for six years.
Bartra, who rose through the ranks at La Masia alongside Messi and spent his early professional years at Camp Nou, has since moved on to play for Borussia Dortmund and is currently in his second spell at Real Betis. He recently contested the Europa Conference League final against Chelsea, losing 4-1.
The ex-Spain international has now spoken out about his time with Messi during the latter's golden years at Barcelona. Appearing on the Spanish TV show Viajando con Chester, hosted by Risto Mejide, Bartra revealed insights into Messi's self-criticism and relentless pursuit of excellence.
He recounted witnessing Messi berate himself for errors made on the pitch, even to the point of swearing and tugging at his own shirt in frustration, before making an immediate amends when he took to the field again.
Bartra recalled Messi's reaction after missing a penalty, saying: "He has had bad moments on a football field. I've seen him in a dressing room swearing at himself and pulling his shirt for missing a penalty. I heard him saying, 'What have I done?'
"Then he would come out in the second half and be the best, dominating the field. That's what made him the best. Beyond technique, it's about getting up again.
"It is about knowing what to do with what happens to you, what solution you bring to what you encounter. Not playing the victim, but taking it with responsibility."
Messi's passion for the game and winning attitude were also echoed by Josef Martinez, another former team-mate who played with the Argentine maestro at Inter Miami, reports the Mirror US.
The Venezuelan, who briefly shared a changing room with Messi in Florida before moving to CF Montreal, was taken aback by the Argentine superstar's down-to-earth nature and meticulous habits.
"Everything changed in a day. I swear. It was shocking," said Martinez. "You see him sitting there, and he's the most normal person I've ever seen in my life, and he's famous.
"Not even God is as well-known as he is. Seeing him sitting there was something impressive: folding his shirt, matching his uniform with his watch, and shoes with his shirt.
"He would sit down, and you'd say: 'Wow!' He'd greet you normally. That, despite being a guy who has won everything, he always arrived first for training."
Martinez continued, adding that Messi raised the standards of everyone in his squad, as he claimed: "He was great with us, he was great with me. And you felt you had to be at his same level."
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