There are not many defenders who’ve successfully stumped Lionel Messi. The Argentine creator embodies the number 10, combining dribbling, quick change of direction, and exceptional vision. Sometimes, he will do all three in the same play.
Despite his 800+ goals and 370+ assists, Messi is not extraterrestrial. He can be stopped (maybe), but it’s not the likes of Virgil Van Dijk holding up the magician.
In an interview with DAZN from 2020, Messi singled out little-known Mallorca right-back Pablo Maffeo.
Maffeo faced Messi during his loan spell at Girona from Manchester City between the 2015 and 2018 seasons. But one game stands out.
In one particular La Liga match in 2017, a 20-year-old Maffeo man-marked Messi to a T. Messi went scoreless in the Catalan derby, but Barcelona still won 3-nil. Messi finished the season with 34 strikes and 36 appearances during a triumphant La Liga season.
Messi reflects on Maffeo’s remarkable 1-v-1 challenge
“Man-marking doesn’t bother me – you know that there will be tough matches and it can be strange to always have someone around you,” Messi recalled.
“In truth, it hasn’t happened to me that often. It doesn’t bother me, but it is strange.
“Pablo Maffeo of Girona [was the toughest man-marker]. That was intense!
“I’ve never been one who complains. I think physical contact and kicks are part of the game.
“I get more annoyed when I play bad and I get a little more angry. But if I’m not [playing bad], it’s not a problem, it’s part of the game and I don’t take it personally.”
Maffeo and Messi come full circle for La Albiceleste
Maffeo’s defensive efforts shocked Messi.
“When you mark Messi, you have to think that he is a normal person, he has two legs like all of us, and to be focused,” said Maffeo.
“Messi told me: ‘I’ve got you here for the whole day’ and I said: ‘You’re the best in the world, I’m not going to leave you.’ “
Maffeo’s efforts never went unnoticed. In 2023, Lionel Scaloni called him up to the Argentina team. Born in Spain, Maffeo has Argentine citizenship through his mother.
He had to play against Messi again, but this time, he was practicing for the Argentine national team.
“I think it’s unimaginable,” said Maffeo, who nearly made the iconic 2022 Argentine World Cup winning team. He suited up with Messi ahead of two World Cup qualifiers versus Uruguay and Brazil.
“To be able to share training, dressing room and training camp with the best footballer in history is great.
“I’ve already experienced it against him, now with him… well, it’s awesome.”
Seven years ago, the best player in the world encountered a frisky 20-year-old in a La Liga match. Little did he know that Matteo’s performance against Messi that day would be one for the history books.
