Barcelona players are banned from tackling Lionel Messi too hard in training according to a teammate.
Jean-Clair Todibo is currently on loan at German side Schalke and he discussed training with the six time Ballon d'Or winner earlier this season.
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"We all knew that he couldn't get injured," Todibo told German publication Bild per Marca:
"Messi was defended very carefully in training.
"I learned a lot from Messi and I even tackled him a few times, but I was careful not to hurt him."
It's not surprising to hear the lengths the Catalan giants will go to protecting their star man.
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He currently leads the goalscoring charts in Spain with 19 goals this season, despite not playing till mid-September.
Injury to forward partner Luis Suarez saw the 32-year-old become Barcelona's main source of goals at the beginning of 2020.
Quique Setien replaced Ernesto Valverde earlier this season and he opened up on why it is hard to rest the winger.
"No one can escape who Leo Messi is," Setien told Marca.
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"With all the players, when I want something, I will try to convince them that it is the best for them.
"I try to convince, rather than impose. They usually end up listening to me."
Another man who has gushed over being at Barca with Messi is French international Antoine Griezmann.
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The 29-year-old told DAZN per Goal:
"Leo is the strongest player in the world and it's nice to share the pitch with him. I try to understand his movements and move well when he has the ball to have a better connection."
Griezmann has struggled in his first season at Barcelona but he stated that he is happy to be with the La Liga leaders.
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"It's a pride thing, I'm very happy to be at Barcelona. My father is very happy to see his son playing at Barcelona.
"I want to write the history of this club. I have to work to do it, I have to work to be important for this club."
The World Cup winner added: "I hope to improve both in goals and assists. I'm adapting, trying to learn as much about the tactics as possible.
"I feel very good, physically and mentally. I really want to work. I really want to improve."
Featured Image Credit: PA Images
Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi
