Lionel Messi’s most formidable rival spent three years at Manchester City without ever featuring in a Premier League match.

Throughout his two-decade career, Lionel Messi has confronted some of the world’s top defenders and consistently emerged victorious.

While various opponents have posed different challenges, his toughest competitor is someone many might find surprising.

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In 2020, when asked about his toughest opponent, Messi named current Mallorca right-back Pablo Maffeo.

Previously with Manchester City, Maffeo spent three years there from 2015 to 2018 but did not make a league appearance, spending most of his time on loan at Spanish club Girona.

It was during a La Liga match against Barcelona in 2017 that Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, recognized Maffeo as his most challenging opponent.

Although Messi’s team secured a comfortable 3-0 victory that day, the game was anything but easy for him, as he was unable to score largely due to Maffeo’s relentless defense.

This encounter left a significant impression on the Argentine superstar, who later identified it as his most difficult direct contest.

In a conversation with DAZN, Messi stated, « Pablo Maffeo of Girona was the toughest defender I’ve faced. That was intense! »

« I’ve never been one to complain. I consider physical contact and tackles part of the game. »

For Maffeo, just 20 years old at the time, his approach was simple: stay closely marked on Messi, who had netted 12 goals in eight games prior to their showdown.

Post-match, the former Man City player shared his strategy, saying, “When you mark Messi, you have to remind yourself that he is a regular person with two legs, just like all of us, and you must stay focused.

“Messi told me: ‘I’ll be around you all day’ and I replied: ‘You’re the best in the world; I’m not leaving you alone.’”

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Despite the intense match, Maffeo praised the football legend, sharing that Messi took a genuine interest in his career.

He recalled, « He asked me about my age, whether I was on loan from City, and how my experience there was. He mentioned that marking him wasn’t pleasant.

« Messi and I were engaged throughout the match; he asked me a few questions; he’s a genuinely nice person. »

Despite being silenced by Maffeo that day, Messi would wrap up the league season with an impressive 34 goals in 36 matches, helping Barcelona secure the La Liga title, making his achievements all the more remarkable.

While Maffeo’s performances with Girona didn’t secure him a place at Man City, the two have since crossed paths on the international stage.

Although Maffeo didn’t play in the Premier League, he did see some action for City in cup competitions.

After departing City in 2018, he joined Bundesliga side Stuttgart before returning to Girona on loan, with subsequent stints at Huesca and Mallorca.

Now 27, Maffeo made Mallorca his permanent residence in 2022, where his performances have garnered attention from Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.

Born in Spain, Maffeo represented the country at youth levels but is eligible to play for Argentina through his mother, earning his first call-up in November 2023.

Although he didn’t see the pitch for the reigning world champions, the experience of training alongside his former rival must have been unforgettable.

Upon receiving the call-up, Maffeo expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with Messi in an interview with Argentine publication La Nacion: « It feels surreal.

« To have the opportunity to train, share a dressing room, and participate in training camps with the greatest footballer of all time is incredible.

« I’ve faced him on the pitch; now to be alongside him… that’s just awesome. »