Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi has revealed that he has similar traits to that of Andres Iniesta, his Barcelona team-mate. He has also spoken about his unique relationship with Iniesta and how the Spanish maestro makes playing football look so easy.
An extract from the recently launched book, The Artist: Being Iniesta, describes Messi's opinion of his club-mate. In the excerpt from the book, Messi talks about how he first saw Iniesta in training rather than games, even though he had heard about the 32-year-old midfielder from the moment he set foot in Barcelona.
"I heard people talking about Andrés virtually from the moment I arrived at Barcelona. I didn't meet him at La Masia. I would go there to eat but we rarely crossed paths because I was preparing for my Bachillerato exams at the time. There are three years between us. Then I saw him in training sessions more than games. But he has always been the same, as a person and a player."
The 5-time Ballon D'Or winner admires Iniesta for his ability to make things look effortless while playing.
"I always picture him with the ball at his feet. That's the way I have got used to seeing him. He does everything well, with simplicity. At times, it may look like he's not doing anything, but in fact he's doing it all. Everything is different with Andrés. The hardest thing to do in football is to make it look like everything is easy, effortless, and that's Andrés."
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He went on to explain how both of them uses their stature to avoid tackles and how Andres' technical ability allows him to always get away from the opponent.
The diminutive Argentine magician also revealed how both of them are similar off the pitch in the way that they are quite and how they have a connection every time they cross paths. On the pitch, Messi likes Iniesta to be near him, especially when the team is under pressure.
Messi fondly remembers the happy memories that they have had on the field.
"We've experienced very happy moments together and I particularly remember an emotional embrace at the Bernabeu after a goal. That was a lovely gesture from him."
In the 2015-16 La Liga, when Barcelona encountered Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernebau, Iniesta had scored Barcelona's 3rd goal to add to the Galacticos misery. Messi was on the bench due to an injury, and the Spanish World up winner sprinted to his friend to celebrate together.
"That's lovely after so many years growing up together. We understand each other very well; we don't need to shout, we know."
