A former FC Barcelona defender has made the surprising claim that he was better than Lionel Messi at one specific skill.
The comment, delivered in a light-hearted tone, has resurfaced among supporters who remember the club’s dominant era under Luis Enrique.
While few would dispute Messi’s brilliance from set pieces, the defender offered a confident alternative view. The identity behind the remark may raise eyebrows.
Jeremy Mathieu says he was better than Lionel Messi at free kicks
Speaking via Barca Blaugranes, Jeremy Mathieu said: “I think I was better at free kicks than Lionel Messi.”
The former centre-back made the claim jokingly, referencing his own confidence from dead-ball situations.
During his time at Barcelona, free-kick duties were overwhelmingly associated with Messi, whose precision and consistency became defining features of his career.
Jeremy Mathieu reveals what Luis Enrique told him before the Barcelona move
Jeremy Mathieu also recalled his first conversation with Luis Enrique prior to joining the club in 2014, saying: “‘I love how you play. If I’m the coach, I want you on the team.'”
He added: “I didn’t want to say ‘Wait, because for now you’re not Barcelona’s coach.‘ I thought, ‘Let’s see if he’s selling a dream.‘”
The exchange highlighted the uncertainty at the time, as Luis Enrique had not yet officially taken charge. Mathieu ultimately completed the move and became part of a squad that went on to achieve major success.
While his free-kick comparison to Messi may have been tongue-in-cheek, it adds another colourful anecdote to Barcelona’s storied dressing room history.