Barcelona’s youth product Carles Alena has explained how the club captain Lionel Messi helped him adjust at Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi has been immense for Barcelona for many years.
The Argentine superstar broke numerous goalscoring records for Barcelona, La Liga and Europe throughout his career.
In the summer, Lionel Messi was rewarded with first-team captaincy. And Carles Alena, the Barca youth product who emerged as a crucial squad player for the senior side this season, revealed how Messi also helped him as the captain of the side.
In an interview with Marca, the 21-year old Alena explained how Messi eased his breakthrough season at the club.
Carles Alena on Messi:
The midfielder revealed what Messi told him as he entered the side to ease the pressure off his shoulders.
“He acts like a captain and he helped me a lot when I came into the setup,” Alena began.
“He told me to play quietly because there’s always pressure in the first team, but in the end, you play with stars. He made me feel bigger, he’s a really nice guy.”
Alena also insisted that he is still getting used to regular appearances for Barcelona’s first team.
“I haven’t gotten used to it, because it’s all happening so fast but I’m enjoying it a lot.
“I’ve been at the club for 14 years and I’ve seen my idols a thousand times on TV or on the pitch, I share experiences with them now on a daily basis in the dressing room and on the pitch. It’s a dream come true and I’m learning a lot.”
The youngster also stated that Messi is the ‘best’ in the world, adding that the Barcelona forward has ‘no comparisons’.
“I have only played with him for a year and I have already run out of words to describe him.
“He is the best player in the world, there are no comparisons to him.
“He is the best and he has been the best for the last 12 years.”
How Twitter reacted..
💬 Carles Aleñá: “Messi has a person? Spectacular. He acts like a captain and he helped me a lot when I came into the setup. He told me to play quietly because there’s always pressure in the first team, but in the end you play with stars. He’s a really nice guy.”
— FC Barcelona Fl 🏆 (@FCBarcelonaFl) March 23, 2019
Alena: Messi isn’t the 5th best in the world, he is No.1 and no comparisons
It’s unusual that Carles Alena is yet to make his Spain under-21 debut, given how important a player he has been for the underage teams in recent years. pic.twitter.com/PALrH5mWIC
— UnquenchableSports.com (@AdwenpaU) March 23, 2019
Aleñá: “One does not get completely used to train with Messi every day. The season of Madrid? Yes, it is very rare that they don’t compete for anything in March.” https://t.co/T3rFkB6svj
— La Masia (@Youngcules) March 22, 2019
💬 Carles Aleñá: “I’ll tell my children that I played alongside Messi, that will be an amazing experience. I hope he continues the way he is for many, many more years.” #fcblive
— FC Barcelona Fl 🏆 (@FCBarcelonaFl) March 21, 2019
What next?
Lionel Messi faced an injury during the game against Venezuela on his return to international football with Argentina. He aims to gain match fitness for Barcelona’s next game against Espanyol.
