Arthur Reveals 'Special' Lionel Messi Compliment He Received at Barcelona

• Arthur Melo has revealed Lionel Messi once gave him a great compliment
• Arthur played at Barcelona for two seasons after switching from Gremio
• The Brazilian and Messi played 60 matches together while at Camp Nou

Any footballer would be starstruck to play alongside Lionel Messi. Arthur Melo had a chance to play with the Argentine icon at Barcelona, and although he only lasted a few seasons with the Spanish giants, he looks back fondly at that time.

The Brazilian also revealed Messi once paid him a compliment - but he did not believe him at first.

Arthur signed for Barcelona in 2018 from Gremio. He swiftly became a first-team regular but could not hold down a starting spot in the team.

He was then sold to Juventus in 2020 in a bizarre deal that saw Bosnian midfielder, Miralem Pjanic, join La Blaugrana.

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Arthur next joined Liverpool on loan last summer but played just one match, with an injury forcing him to miss most of the season.

Arthur's Barca memories with Messi

Arthur has fond memories of his time with Barcelona, and it involves arguably the best player of all time.

"Messi said I was the one who surprised him the most of all the signings in 2018. I thought he was joking. And I had just arrived at Barça. It was a very nice moment for me. Afterwards, in the dressing room, I spoke to him in person and thanked him," he said, via Sportskeeda.

The 26-year-old made 72 appearances for the La Liga champions in his two seasons with the Catalan giants. He scored four goals and provided six assists, per Transfermarkt.

Arthur played 60 matches with the World Cup champion but also opened up on his tough time at the club.

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"It was a bit complicated to adapt... I had to learn another culture, another language, another way of playing football, another visibility through the press."

Beckham paints Messi mural

Sports Brief also reported on Inter Miami co-owner, Beckham helping with a Messi mural in the city as excitement builds over the Argentine's debut in MLS.

The league is preparing for the arrival of its biggest-ever signing, with the veteran expected to sign up on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.