{"id":22810,"date":"2026-02-10T03:24:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T03:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/10\/samuel-umtiti-says-it-was-like-playing-with-lionel-messi-at-barcelona-hes-a-killer\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T03:24:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T03:24:51","slug":"samuel-umtiti-says-it-was-like-playing-with-lionel-messi-at-barcelona-hes-a-killer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/10\/samuel-umtiti-says-it-was-like-playing-with-lionel-messi-at-barcelona-hes-a-killer\/","title":{"rendered":"Samuel Umtiti says it was like playing with Lionel Messi at Barcelona: ‘He’s a killer’"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Lionel Messi’s development into one of the greatest soccer players of all time is rooted in his constant desire to score goals. This was recently highlighted by former teammate Samuel Umtiti, who spoke about what it was like playing with the Argentine star at FC Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Messi’s journey is well known among soccer fans. He started his career in Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys youth team before moving to Barcelona’s youth team. His career has been on a steady rise, with numerous accomplishments including:<\/p>\n

5 La Liga wins 2 Champions League wins 2 FIFA Club World Cups 1 FIFA World Cup (2022) <\/p>\n

But beyond trophies, Messi’s hallmark has always been his insatiable hunger for goals. According to Umtiti, Messi was never satisfied unless he found the back of the net.<\/p>\n

Umtiti talks about Messi’s mentality<\/h2>\n

Umtiti and Messi shared the Barcelona dressing room from 2016 to 2023, so they know what it’s like to play alongside him. In a recent interview with SPORT via Bar\u00e7a Universal, Umtiti recalled how Messi was able to decide matches on his own.<\/p>\n

“There’s only one person, and that’s Leo. At every level,” Umtiti said. “Only he can win the match, but very few people can do that.”<\/p>\n

Umtiti explained that Messi’s characteristic is his obsession with scoring goals. <\/p>\n

\n

“If we were winning 4-0 and he didn’t score, he wasn’t happy. It was clear in his mind that he always had to score.”<\/p>\n

Samuel Umtiti<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Umtiti added that his constant drive is “the mark of a great player”.<\/p>\n

Messi is not just a striker<\/h2>\n

Messi’s brilliance wasn’t just in his finishing. His former teammates emphasized his ability to control the rhythm of play. <\/p>\n

“He knew exactly when to speed up the game and when to slow down the game,” Umtiti recalled.<\/p>\n

“He’s always moving left and right, checking everyone’s positioning. He always has a time advantage. There’s no way to defend against Leo. He’s unpredictable.”<\/p>\n

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, fans will once again witness Messi’s artistry as he looks to add a new chapter to his legendary career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n
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Lionel Messi’s development into one of the greatest soccer players of all time is rooted in his constant desire to score goals. This was recently highlighted by former teammate Samuel Umtiti, who spoke about what it was like playing with the Argentine star at FC Barcelona. Messi’s journey is well known among soccer fans. 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