Lionel Messi labelled 'unbearable' by former teammate as he reveals what he's really like behind closed doors

One of Lionel Messi’s former teammates has branded the Argentinian “unbearable” in an honest interview.

Messi, 37, has shared a dressing room with the likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta with most players complimenting the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at every opportunity.

Of course, Messi has since moved on from Barcelona, signing for PSG in 2021 before moving to MLS outfit Inter Miami in 2023.

His time in the US has been a successful one with his 34 goals for the club helping the Herons to the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

But despite this, one of his former teammates revealed why Messi was “unbearable” to share a dressing room with.

Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made one appearance for Miami in the 2024 MLS campaign and revealed what Messi was like to share a dressing room with.

"Messi is unbearably competitive, he is incredible in everything," said Ustari [via Mirror].

"There are team-mates who have never seen him before and they are surprised. Nothing is a coincidence at that level. You see that his release is football, training, being well and proving every day who he is."

He then described how despite his illustrious career, that Messi still “treats everyone the same”.

"He enjoys doing what he does," he added.

"The first day I arrived at the club he was doing pull-ups, and all the boys were around him.

Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami training this week (Credit:Getty)

"He treats everyone the same, he's very family-oriented. He's very involved in the academy, he's on top of everything. I see him a bit like that. He will have to manage his image from another place. I don't want to imagine him off the pitch."

Messi's other Miami teammate, Julian Gressel, echoed the compliments that Ustari issued in a recent interview with CBS back in April 2024.

"Leo I think makes everyone look better on the field and Leo does so many things for us," Gressel explained.

"You can get the feeling that when he's on the field there's a different energy about us and there's a different feeling to the group."

Messi returned to training this week, as Javier Mascherano's side start their preparations ahead of the 2025 MLS campaign. The 2022 World Cup winner is contracted to Miami until December 2025 with his next move still unclear.