Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has reflected on his seven years playing alongside Lionel Messi, revealing that their relationship wasn’t always easy.
The pair won 13 titles together before Messi’s 2021 move to Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking to Bild, Ter Stegen recalled their ups and downs, saying, “Leo is a special character… we had moments where things didn’t work out because he was annoyed with me and I was annoyed with him.”
Despite occasional tensions, Ter Stegen stressed that there was no lasting animosity. “We never argued… but we had our moments, and that’s fine,” he clarified.
Ter Stegen also praised Messi’s leadership qualities, noting that while Messi isn’t vocal, “when he says something, everyone listens.” He admired Messi’s talent, stating, “If he wants to make you look bad, he does it with such ease.”
Ter Stegen’s admiration for Messi’s skill and influence remains strong, even after their time at Barcelona ended.