"If you want to win, you can’t be careful with the best" - Ex-Barcelona star insists Lionel Messi was not given special treatment at club

Former Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has claimed that Lionel Messi was afforded no special treatment at Camp Nou. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner rose through the ranks with the Catalans and shared the pitch with Mascherano for eight years at club level.

The two of them also played together for the Argentina National Team. There have long been rumors that Barcelona players were instructed to go easy on Messi in training to avoid injuries to him.

However, speaking to Shoot for Love, the Argentina U20 Head Coach recently refuted those claims.

“It’s not true that we couldn’t go hard against Messi. If you want to win, you can’t be careful with the best,” Mascherano said.

Messi spent 17 seasons with the Catalans, registering 672 goals and 303 assists from 778 games. The Argentinean won 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies, and seven Copa del Rey, among others, with the Spanish giants.

The six-time European Golden Boot winner took Barcelona to the pinnacle of success during his time at Camp Nou. While he always expressed a desire to stay with the club, the Catalans' poor finances ultimately caused a dent in his plans.

Lionel Messi left the LaLiga giants in the summer of 2021 after the club failed to renew his contract. The Argentine moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and after two seasons in Ligue 1, joined MLS side Inter Miami in 2023.

How have Barcelona dealt with Lionel Messi's departure?

Lionel Messi's exit from Barcelona sent shockwaves through the football world in 2021. Following the departure of their most famous son, the Catalans initially struggled, ending the 2021-22 campaign without silverware.

The Spanish giants lifted the league the following season but failed to build on that performance. However, the arrival of Hansi Flick this summer has turned the mood at Camp Nou. The German manager has enjoyed an explosive start to his tenure, winning nine of his first 11 games.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has also been on fire since joining Inter Miami in 2023. The 37-year-old won the Leagues Cup last season and has already helped the Herons win the Supporters' Shield this year. He is now gearing up for the playoffs for the MLS Cup.

The diminutive magician has also found great success with Argentina since leaving Camp Nou. He won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and another Copa America this year.