Lionel Messi’s ‘Disrespectful’ Nickname by Atletico Madrid Boss Diego Simeone Comes to the Light

• Diego Simeone faced Lionel Messi on many occasions during his time at Barcelona
• Messi's regular threat against Atleti led Simeone to come up with a nickname for the now-Inter Miami superstar
• Now, Simeone's seemingly 'disrespectful' nickname for Messi has been revealed

Former Atletico Madrid defender Felipe Luis has shared a 'harsh' nickname given to Lionel Messi by Diego Simeone.

Under Simeone's tenure, Atletico regularly grappled with Messi's exceptional abilities, posing a consistent challenge for the Madrid-based club.

The threat of the now-Inter Miami superstar was a constant concern for Simeone and his defenders as Los Rojiblancos looked to hold off the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient in vain.

Messi's performance vs Simeone's Atletico

Simeone's efforts to contain the 36-year-old often ended unsuccessfully, with the 2022 World Cup champion thriving against the capital club, winning 24, drawing 11, and losing only eight times across all competitions, according to Transfermarkt.

N'Golo Kanté's net worth, house, cars, contract dating, salary, age, stats

Football

Across 43 games, Messi scored 32 goals against Atletico, establishing the team from Madrid as one of his preferred opponents during his stint in La Liga.

Simeone's nickname for Messi revealed

“At Atleti, Simeone put four players on Messi! So when he scored, it was not one player’s fault. It was just Messi”, Luis told MARCA as quoted by Football Espana.

“Before the games against Barcelona, Simeone never used Messi’s name. He always called him ‘the dwarf’, so we would not be afraid of him when we were in front of him.”

Messi hits the gym with wife Antonela

Meanwhile, Leo Messi is relishing a well-earned break following a successful conclusion to the Major League Soccer regular season, despite Inter Miami missing out on a playoff spot.

The football legend recently joined a workout session at the 'Glute Lab' alongside his wife, Antonela, and her personal trainer, Bret Contreras, per GOAL.

Alexis Sanchez's net worth, salary, contract, house, cars, age, stats, and latest news

Football

A circulating video on social media captured the World Cup winner graciously signing autographs for a fan on Inter Miami and Argentina jerseys, both adorned with his name.

Exciting news! We have a WhatsApp channel 🤩

➡️ Click to join our channel for all your favourite sports news.

Simeone's masterplan for Lionel Messi revealed

In an earlier publication, Sports Brief reported that ex-Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier has disclosed Diego Simeone's master plan to stop Messi.

During tactical pre-game meetings ahead of clashes against the Catalan giants, Atletico manager Simeone had only one word for his players before facing Messi.