Barcelona ban players from going in hard on Lionel Messi in training to keep superstar free of injury, reveals Todibo
LIONEL MESSI is still almost untouchable… and that’s also the Barcelona policy in training. Outgoing defender Jean-Clair Todibo reveals Nou Camp stars must go easy on the six-time Ballon d’Or winner – to protect their crown jewel from injury. As France Under-21 centre-back Todibi headed for Schalke on a six-month loan deal, he explains just […]
LIONEL MESSI is still almost untouchable… and that’s also the Barcelona policy in training.
Outgoing defender Jean-Clair Todibo reveals Nou Camp stars must go easy on the six-time Ballon d’Or winner – to protect their crown jewel from injury.
As France Under-21 centre-back Todibi headed for Schalke on a six-month loan deal, he explains just how far the LaLiga champs go to keep 32-year-old Messi free of knocks.
Todibo, 20, told German outlet Bild: “We all knew that he couldn’t get injured.
“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.”
STILL THE MAIN MAN
Setien’s predecessor Ernesto Valverde was sacked the previous week at a time when Barca were also at the summit.
And Messi’s mesmeric, ball-hugging brilliance will be just as important to ex Real chief Setien, who has been appointed with the brief of restoring Barcelona’s traditional, free-flowing style.
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Argentina legend Messi could yet land a new partner in attack as Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a shock move.
And certainly Messi will be without long-time strike-pal Luis Suarez for up to four months.
The Uruguayan, who is 33 on Friday this week, needs to recover from knee surgery.