LaLiga: Barcelona Players Banned From Tackling Messi In Training
Messi has struggled with occasional injury in recent years, and the LaLiga champions have put in place restrictions, to protect the 32-year-old from suffering more knocks
“We all knew that he couldn’t get injured,” Todibo told German outlet Bild. “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.”
Messi did not feature in the Copa del Rey defeat of Ibiza but should return when Barca travel to the Mestalla to take on Valencia on Saturday.
Messi has proven to be one of the best player ever to play the round lather game as he has remained consistent for more than a decade.
The Barca skipper has continued to attract offers from the best clubs in the world but has pledged his future to the Spanish champions.
Outgoing defender Jean-Clair Todibo also reveals that the decision was to protect their crown jewel from injury.
As France Under-21 center-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.
Setien’s predecessor Ernesto Valverde was sacked the previous week at a time when Barca was 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.
