He kept it for 10 years: How was the relationship between Messi and Rafa Márquez?

Lionel Messi made great friends throughout his entire sports career. Sergio Kun Agüero, Javier Mascherano, Neymar, Luis Suárez before and now Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and many others. But with the number of schools that he joined during his career, he could not always get to connect in a pleasant way with all his classmates.

And one of the footballers who did not get to have that most intimate relationship was Rafael Márquez, the historic central defender of Mexico who passed through Barcelona between 2003 and 2010. Together they won very valuable titles for the culé club, such as the Champions League of the 2005/06 and 2008/2009 seasons.

Rafa Márquez acknowledged that, despite having a cordial and professional bond with the best in the world, they could never become friends. Good vibes within the group but never a friendship between the two that transcends the limits of the field or training.

"We were never very good friends to say, it was always a good relationship, cordial and respectful. We were both quiet, in the dressing room we carried it that way and already on the field we transformed to win each game," replied the Aztec defender in dialogue with the Chiringuito, the famous Spanish program.