‘The True Face of Messi’: Spanish Press Exposes the Dark Side of Former Barcelona Superstar

• Lionel Messi was once accused by a Spanish newspaper for insulting and bullying his former Barcelona teammates
• Spanish media outlet El Confidencial published quotes that suggest Lionel Messi used to abuse players at the Catalan club
• Lionel Messi spent 20 years at Camp Nou before leaving for PSG last summer on a free transfer

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is considered as one of the best players of all time.

The 35-year-old winner is also adored as one of the most humble human beings to ever play football.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or has built up a reputation of himself where he oozed angelic sweetness.

However, El Confidencial, quoted by Eurosport, once accused the Argentina captain of insulting and bullying his teammates when he was playing for Barcelona.

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According to the Spanish website - if accurate - Messi struggled to keep his cool and control his anger towards his former colleagues.

The publication headlined its story, 'the true face of Messi', which allegedly claims that Christian Tello was Messi's favourite victim as he used to lambast him by saying:

"What are you doing? You're new here, and you're nobody!" and "Pass me the ball, you're here to play for me."

The report further indicated that Alexis Sanchez was also attacked by Messi, by saying:

"Considering how bad you are, I've no idea how you cost so much," and, "Stop shooting so much and give me the ball."

Reacting to the allegations against Messi, Eurosport Spain’s journalist, Jorge Ordas, said thatit’s not unusual for such reports to emerge, revealing that the Argentine has had issues with David Villa in the past.

"Well, it’s not the first time that it has been said Messi that is not a good team-mate," Ordas said.

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"He had some troubles with David Villa and he probably has a special personality.

"But honestly, I can’t imagine Leo Messi saying that to other players – that is just my opinion."

Messi spent 20 years at the Camp Nou after arriving from his native country as a teenager. He went on to become the club's record appearance holder and top scorer, scoring 672 times in 778 games.

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Sports Brief earlier had earlier reported that former Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu has picked legendary Brazil forward Ronaldinho Gaucho as the greatest player of all time, ahead of Lionel Messi.

Deulofeu is a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and played 23 games across two stints at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The 28-year-old played together with Messi when he made his first appearance for the senior side in 2011 before being loaned out to Everton two years later.

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