LIONEL MESSI has revealed his starstruck reaction to watching Thierry Henry walk into the Barcelona dressing room for the first time.
In 2007, the French forward swapped Arsenal for the Camp Nou having lifted two Premier League titles and two FA Cups in a highly successful eight years at the North London club.
Messi and Henry won a historic treble under Pep Guardiola in 2008/09Credit: EPA
Messi had already been part of two LaLiga winning sides by that point but had only been a first-team regular for 18 months, not even being named on the bench for his side’s victory over Henry’s Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final.
And such was Henry’s prestige when arriving at Barcelona, the young Argentine was left starstruck.
He recalled to L’Equipe, via Marca: “The first day he entered the dressing room, I didn’t dare look at his face.
“I knew everything he had done in England. I had a picture of him made and suddenly we were on the same team.
“What I feel for Titi is best described as admiration.
“I loved Henry’s ease at finishing his chances, as he takes the path to goal and ends the play.
“He gives the impression that it is natural. His movement, his dribbling, the shot – it is all fluid.”
Together with Samuel Eto’o, they struck up a devastating attacking trio that won the treble in 2008/09 before lifting the Club World Cup, Uefa Super Cup and another LaLiga the year after.
As much as Henry left an impression on Messi, the Frenchman has spoken multiple times of how he was wowed by the diminutive talent.
Back in 2016, Henry said: “Sometimes I ask myself if Messi is human.”
He later told Sky Sports: “I have seen him doing stuff in training and it is just amazing. When he gets upset, he runs around the whole team.
“There is nothing you can do.
“When you have Leo Messi it is a big advantage. When you have that man in your side, anything can happen.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
