“It’s a Blessing”: Former Barcelona Star Opens Up on Playing Alongside Lionel Messi

• David Villa has lauded Lionel Messi, giving credit to the Argentine playmaker for his success at Barcelona
• During Villa's three-year stint with Barca, he notably won the UEFA Champions League along with two La Liga titles
• The 41-year-old has transitioned into sports management after calling time on his playing career in 2020

Former Barcelona striker David Villa has shed insight on playing alongside Lionel Messi.

Villa, 41, enjoyed a trophy-laden spiced up with a plethora of goal contributions during his three-year stint at Camp Nou - between 2010 and 2013.

During that period, the Spaniard notched 48 goals in 119 competitive appearances for the Blaugrana, most notably scoring the icing on the cake in the final of the 2011 Champions League as Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side dominated Europe for the second time in three seasons.

Taking a trip down memory lane to recall his time in Barcelona, especially the experience of sharing the pitch with Messi, Villa waxed lyrical about the Argentine phenom.

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"I scored close to 50 goals in three years, almost all of them with a contribution from Leo Messi. When Leo Messi is by your side, it’s a blessing. Often, when things get complicated, he comes up with a solution," he said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

Currently retired from professional football, Villa has ventured into sports management, where he is serving as the global sports director for Indian Super League side Odisha FC.

Meanwhile, his former Barcelona teammate, Leo Messi, is in the final stretch of his glorious career, with his future at Paris Saint-Germain hanging in the balance.

According to ESPN, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is considering retracing his steps back to his old stomping grounds for a final dance.

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Barca star sends message to Messi

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi has received a strong message from Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba regarding a potential return to Camp Nou at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Barcelona are one of the favourites to sign Messi should he decide to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season when his contract with the Parisians expires.

Alba is relishing the chance of playing together with the Argentina maestro again, acknowledging that Messi's return would likely help him to hit top form again.