Dani Garcia reflects on challenges of facing Lionel Messi

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.

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