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Ex-LaLiga Defender: Messi Gave Me Sleepless Nights

Ex-LaLiga Defender: Messi Gave Me Sleepless Nights

A former LaLiga defender has revealed had a sleepless nights whenever he had to come up against Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

Brazilian full-back Guilherme Santos had a brief spell in Spain where he played for Almeria and Real Valladolid.

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While playing for Almeria in the Spanish top-flight in 2010, Santos has revealed how coming up against the Barcelona superstar would give him sleepless nights.

"When I went there, I didn't sleep. I knew it was possible that I will be ashamed. I believed in my potential. But we have to respect [Messi]," Santos told ESPN Brazil.

"The man was an ET [extra terrestrial]. The ball was with him at all times."

The 34-year-old also opened up about how he tried to press the Argentine and it didn't work out well for him.

I always had a lot of strength. When I pressed, I won. I thought 'This guy is not all that'. Why did I poke the guy? Are you crazy?

"The last ball, he looked at me. In one he cut me, he cut in, out, in and out. I kept looking back like that. Where's Mano [Messi]? I got lost.

"Then, just when I thought he was going to kick, he cut. He did some things at the last minute, you know? And he couldn't. It was really genius."

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