Pique talking about Messi at his book Launch
The 23-year-old Barcelona defender, who was a starry-eyed youngster in the same group as Messi and Cesc Fabregas, remembered how the Argentine stunned everyone despite his apparent frailty.
He said: “When I was coming through the ranks something happened that was going to change the history of the club – the signing of Leo.
“I remember the first time he trained with us. He was so small we were afraid to touch him because we thought we’d hurt him. But then we all noticed his touch on the ball was not at all bad.
“Some of the coaches told us not to tackle him too hard so as not to injure him. But even if we wanted to, we couldn’t get anywhere near him. He was so quick, he was impossible to tie down.”
Messi’s opponents did not take long to resort to foul play to stop the little genius. Pique added: “The opposition got to him in the second official game he played. He was caught by a terrible challenge. He had to leave the ground in an ambulance.
“He had fractured a bone in his face but, after that, he came right back stronger than ever and that has been the way ever since until he became the Golden Ball winner who we have in the team now.”
“Tuesday’s four-goal salvo against Arsenal by 22-year-old Messi will be remembered as the first time he was at his best against an English team, but those at the club have seen it all before.”
Pique said: “He’s always been the way he is now – all that has changed is the context. He does exactly the same things that he did when he was 13 and I wouldn’t be what I am today without having come through the ranks alongside him.”
