Four-time Ballon D’Or winner, Lionel Messi, has taken time to reflect on his experiences as a Barcelona player.
In light with official transfer ban by FIFA due to irregularities with the signing of under-aged minors, the 27-year-old La Masia product has praised the values instilled in him from an early age by the club’s famed youth academy.
"What I learnt at Barcelona made me what I am," Messi said in a quote by Marca.
"I arrived as a kid and grew up here. The values of La Masia shaped me as a person. What I learnt at the club made me what I am."
Messi then recounted his Barcelona debut, which he made in October 2004 against Espanyol and explained where his shy nature is coming from.
"I was unable to play for six months because of paperwork issues and then I got injured right before my first match. It was a tough time," he added.
"After my first training session I felt embarrassed to go down to the training room with the rest of the lads."
Messi is Barcelona’s highest ever goal scorer, having scored 354 goals for the club in 425 appearances, and has won 21 trophies for the club.
Do you think Lionel Messi owes credit to La Masia for his record-breaking career? Have your say in the comments section below.
