Barcelona captain Marc-André ter Stegen has confirmed long-standing rumors of a tense relationship with former teammate Lionel Messi.
Speaking on the Phrasenmäher podcast, ter Stegen revealed that although the two never openly argued, their time together wasn’t always smooth.
He admitted that Messi could express frustration in subtle but pointed ways during training, even deliberately aiming balls at teammates when irritated.
The German goalkeeper noted that their personal differences stemmed from differing motivations and expectations on the pitch. Despite this, he praised Messi’s leadership style, saying his quiet presence commanded respect.
Ter Stegen’s revelations shed light on the internal dynamics at Barcelona during Messi’s final years, revealing a more complex relationship behind the scenes of the club’s glittering success.
