AFCON 2025
In a recent appearance on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, “Rio Ferdinand Presents,” former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré provided an insightful look into the challenges of training alongside Lionel Messi during their time together at FC Barcelona.
Touré, who played with Messi from 2007 to 2010, recounted the difficulties defenders faced when attempting to dispossess the Argentine maestro during practice sessions.
Touré described how Messi’s exceptional agility and ball control made him a formidable opponent even in training scenarios.
“In training, he was able to make us suffer. To get the ball from him, sometimes we had to go and attack him and it was incredible. I remember one time when we were training, it was like a 6v6 on the side of the pitch.”
“The session was about high-pressing on the halfway line of the pitch. He went past me so easily, didn’t even touch the ball, he was just driving it [forward] and passing so easily.”
“After that when we got inside the dressing room, we tried to justify why he did it so well by saying he’s too small and that’s why it’s easier for him. He has the agility, but we were tall and we had to go down to try and block him. It was always difficult to play against him.”
Beyond the training ground, Touré highlighted the protective environment within the Barcelona squad, noting that senior players like Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, and Thierry Henry often shielded the young Messi from overly aggressive opponents.
Toure said: “Because in that period, there was Deco and Ronaldinho there and I see Ronaldinho always was always behind him [Messi], trying to protect him.
“When an opponent wanted to beat him up, he was always getting in there. Not only Ronaldinho, Eto’o as well. Even Thierry Henry did that for some time. Everyone was protecting him because we knew he was a talented player and knew he would come good for us.”
