Messi’s Recovery Ritual: A Surprise for Yaya Toure and Teammates
Yaya Toure, former Manchester City star and Barcelona midfielder, recently shared a surprising detail about Lionel Messi’s routine during their time as teammates. Unlike the rest of the team, Messi wouldn’t join post-match training sessions. Instead, he prioritized massages to keep his body fresh for upcoming games.
Reports from DailyPost says Yaya Toure revealed his initial confusion, along with teammates Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry: “We’d finish a game, everyone would head to training, and there’s Messi getting a massage. We were like, ‘What’s going on here?'”
This unique approach to recovery highlights the special treatment afforded to Messi, recognizing his importance to the team’s success.
This special treatment stemmed from acknowledging Messi’s irreplaceable role in the team’s success. Toure explained that the team prioritized preserving Messi’s fitness due to the constant barrage of challenges he faced on the field. Messi’s choice of massages over traditional training sessions highlights a unique approach to recovery for a truly phenomenal player.
Messi’s journey in the MLS so far
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami in 2023 sent shockwaves through the soccer world. After a lifetime spent dominating European football with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi opted for a new challenge in the United States.
His debut season was a rollercoaster. Early on, his presence ignited the league, drawing sell-out crowds and sparking a record-breaking 12-game unbeaten streak for Inter Miami. However, injuries and a slight dip in form towards the season’s end left some fans questioning whether Messi could fully adapt to the MLS style of play.
Despite the mixed bag of results, Messi’s impact on MLS is undeniable. His presence has elevated the league’s global profile and inspired a new generation of young American players. As he heads into his second season, all eyes will be on Messi to see if he can recapture his early dominance and solidify his legacy as a transformative figure in MLS history.
