“He Made Me Look So Stupid”: Fabregas Shares Interesting Tale on Facing Messi for the First Time

• Cesc Fabregas's foremost encounter with Lionel Messi made him 'look stupid'
• Ever since their first meeting, Fabregas and Messi have forged a tight-knit bond that continues to endure
• The pair played a combined total of 135 official matches together at Barcelona between 2011 and 2014

Cesc Fabregas' initial encounter with Lionel Messi has resurfaced in light of the former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Barcelona midfielder's retirement from professional football.

Fabregas and Messi were teammates at Barcelona's renowned La Masia Academy and later played together for three seasons when Fabregas returned to the Catalan giants after his stint at Arsenal, which began when he was just 16 years old.

Their connection extends beyond the field, as they share a close bond that includes other members of their respective families, MARCA reports.

The foundation of this relationship was laid when Messi arrived in Barcelona for trials as a young prodigy from Argentina. The events that unfolded during that time left an indelible mark on the 2010 World Cup winner.

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“So many new players came [for trials at FC Barcelona] that we didn't attach any importance to, but I remember perfectly well his [Leo Messi’s] first day,” said Fabregas when he recalled that memorable day. as quoted by WAM from Guillem Balague's The Must-Read Biography of the World Cup Champion.

Cesc and his other La Masia teammates, who had written off Messi due to his small stature, were bamboozled by the Argentine's pure footballing prowess.

"When he started to touch the ball, we saw that he was different from the rest of the boys who came for trials."

He even recounted how his now bosom friend disgraced him in a 1v1 encounter: "First, he made me look like a complete fool and stuck it in. He did it to me again and again."

Cesc's defensive skills crumbled under the weight of Messi's talent, and he admitted, "And as a young player, I had a special talent in defensive one-against-one situations. He made me look so stupid you wouldn't believe it."

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Messi's heartfelt message to Fabregas

Sports Brief also reported that Lionel Messi penned a heartfelt message to Cesc Fabregas following the latter's decision to call time on his football career.

Fabregas, who achieved remarkable success in men's football, including winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010, made the announcement of his retirement via social media on Saturday, July 1.

Among the flood of heartwarming messages received by Fabregas, one that stood out prominently was a heartfelt wish from his close friend and La Masia comrade, Messi.