League: LaLiga Sport: Soccer Country: Spain Category: Coaching

Dani Garcia reflects on challenges of facing Lionel Messi

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 2:30 PM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

Dani Garcia reflects on challenges of facing Lionel Messi

Summary

Dani Garcia, a former midfielder for Athletic Club, spoke candidly about the difficulty of defending against Lionel Messi during his career. In a recent podcast appearance, Garcia admitted he felt fear when facing Messi, despite initially denying it to his coach Eduardo Berizzo. He explained that Messi’s unique control and speed made him a nearly unstoppable force. Garcia recounted an instance in which he used fouling as a tactic to disrupt Messi’s play, revealing the lengths defenders go to counteract his influence on the game. Even after Messi’s departure from Barcelona, his legacy continues to impact players and stories in soccer.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Dani Garcia faced Lionel Messi during his time at Athletic Club.
•He admitted to feeling fear when defending against Messi.
•Garcia recalled using fouls as a tactic against Messi.
•Messi’s control and speed presented a unique challenge for defenders.
•Garcia's comments emphasize Messi's impact on soccer culture.

Latest Updates

2:30 PMYahoo Sports — Former Athletic Club star’s honest admission about facing Messi: ‘How am I not going to be afraid of him?’

What they're saying

"
Lionel Messi left Barcelona years ago, but stories about facing him still keep appearing in the media every other day. His opponents’ appreciation for him explains better than any statistic what he ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Barcelona LaLiga Soccer