Ex-Barcelona Player Opens Up On Relationship With Messi: 'We Were Never Good Friends'

Ex-Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez has opened up on his relationship with Lionel Messi, saying the two were “never good friends” in the Camp Nou dressing room.

Marquez was part of Barcelona when Messi made his senior debut during the 2004-05 season. The duo spent six years together at Barcelona, having shared success and great memories in the decorated club.

"We were never very good friends, let's say, it was always a good relationship, cordial and respectful. We were both quiet, in the dressing room that was how we carried it and already on the field we transformed to win each game," Marquez was quoted by Spanish publication Marca, as saying in a recent interview.

In the same interview, Marquez, who won many trophies with Barcelona during his seven-season stint with the Catalans, including four La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, was asked to choose between Messi and another Barca teammate Ronaldinho.

The Mexican, without hesitating even for a bit, picked Ronaldinho.

"I lived with Dinho from the beginning in Barcelona and I saw his different capacities, obviously Messi is an out of series, but Ronaldinho was magic, the joy of football, the party. When you thought he was going to do something, he took something else out of the hat. It was magical. We know that he never gave perhaps what he could, " added Marquez, who had joined Barcelona from Monaco in the summer of 2003.

42-year-old Marquez, who last played for a Mexican club Atlas in 2018, also revealed his pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or award. According to the former Barcelona center-back, Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski is the more deserving winner for his consistency.

"This year, Lewandowski has been the most consistent and Bayern is one of the favorites to win another Champions League," said Marquez.

Meanwhile, on being asked who he thinks is the best player in the world, Marquez once again snubbed Messi as he replied, "The best of all time is Pele, although I didn't see him. play, but for all that he won, how he marked football and his importance despite the times he played."

Messi, who has dominated soccer for close to two decades, scored 675 competitive goals and won a record six Ballon d’Or awards during the time. He recently parted from his boyhood club Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer.