Arguably the very best soccer participant in historical past, Lionel Messi doesn’t want an introduction. The Barcelona and Argentine icon, who has taken Main League Soccer (MLS)’s recognition to new heights since becoming a member of Inter Miami in 2023, has gained each main trophy within the sport. After successful 4 UEFA Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona, Messi took his skills to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021, including two Ligue 1 titles to his unparalleled trophy cupboard.
In December 2022, Messi helped Argentina to the FIFA World Cup, rising because the match’s greatest participant and successful an unprecedented second Golden Ball. Owing to his exploits in Qatar, he gained the Finest FIFA Males’s Participant and a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023.
All of Messi’s teammates, previous and current, have raved about his genius and dedication to the craft, dubbing him the Best of All Time (GOAT). At present, we are going to check out a fortunate bunch of gamers who’ve had the great fortune of marveling at him for years, sharing in his highs and lows. Proceed studying to satisfy 5 gamers who’ve performed essentially the most matches with the good Messi.
#5 Xavi (Barcelona): 399 Video games
Kicking off the record is ex-Barcelona participant and present supervisor Xavi. The Spaniard, who gained two European Championships and a FIFA World Cup with Spain, shared the dressing room with Lionel Messi for over a decade. Throughout their time collectively within the Catalonian cathedral of Camp Nou, Messi and Xavi shared the pitch 399 occasions.
Xavi and Messi mixed for 42 objectives at Barcelona, and unsurprisingly, the central midfielder performed the position of creator as a rule. Xavi assisted Messi 34 occasions between 2004 and 2015, whereas the Argentine returned the favor eight occasions. They gained 25 trophies at Camp Nou, together with two unprecedented Trebles in 2009 and 2015.
#4 Javier Mascherano (Argentina & Barcelona): 414 Video games
Former Argentina and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano performed 414 video games together with his compatriot Lionel Messi. The 2 Argentinians performed 298 video games collectively for the Blaugrana and 116 occasions for La Albiceleste, together with the Olympic crew.
Mascherano, who’s presently managing the Argentina U20 aspect, gained two UEFA Champions Leagues, 5 La Liga titles, and 5 Copas del Rey between 2010 and 2018 in Catalonia, amongst different honors. He couldn’t share any senior-team honor with former Argentina teammate Messi, however the pair gained the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008.
#3 Andres Iniesta (Barcelona): 489 Video games
Andres Iniesta is without doubt one of the greatest midfielders of the twenty first century. He glided previous defenders like they weren’t there, may pierce any protection on this planet together with his completely weighted via balls, and had a near-telepathic reference to Lionel Messi, which significantly benefitted Barcelona in tough ties. The previous La Masia graduates had been at Camp Nou collectively between 2004 and 2018, sharing the pitch 489 occasions.
Iniesta, who’s plying his commerce at Emirates Membership, linked up with the Inter Miami ace for 53 objectives, offering 43 assists and scoring 10 occasions. They gained 32 trophies at Barcelona, together with 4 UEFA Champions Leagues and 9 La Liga titles. Iniesta and Messi had been integral as Barca gained two Trebles in 2009 and 2015.
#2 Gerard Pique (Barcelona): 506 Video games
Former Manchester United center-back Gerard Pique was a mainstay for Barcelona for 14-and-a-half years between July 2008 and January 2023. Throughout his Barca profession, Pique had the great fortune of taking part in 506 video games with Lionel Messi and mixing for 17 objectives. Messi assisted Pique 12 occasions with the Spaniard returning the favor 5 occasions.
Pique and Messi celebrated three UEFA Champions League trophies, eight La Liga titles, and 7 Copas del Rey collectively at Barcelona. The Spanish Cup win in 2020-21 marked their final silverware collectively.
#1 Sergio Busquets (Barcelona & Inter Miami): 586 Video games
Considered one of Lionel Messi’s shut pals, Sergio Busquets has performed 586 video games with the Argentine since 2008. The previous Spain worldwide broke into the Barcelona first crew in 2008 and spent the subsequent 13 years taking part in alongside Messi. In that span, the 2 performed 567 video games collectively, combining for 23 objectives. After a two-year separation, Busquets and Messi reunited at Inter Miami and have shared the pitch 19 occasions since.
At Barcelona, Messi and Busquets gained 30 trophies collectively, together with three UEFA Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles. They’ve already opened their account at Inter Miami, successful the Leagues Cup within the 2023 season.
