I didn’t dare look at his face: Messi
Argentina legend Lionel Messi has revealed how he was left starstruck after seeing French forward Thiery Henry in the Barcelona dressing room for the first time.
In 2007, the French forward swapped Arsenal for the Camp Nou having lifted two Premier League titles and two FA Cups in a highly successful eight years in North London. He joined Barca to become part of the 'fantastic four' alongside Ronaldinho, Eto and Messi, hoping to bag the only title that had eluded him in his illustrious career; the Champions League.
The year before, Barca had clinched the Champions League by beating Henry's Arsenal in the final. Lionel Messi had become a first-team regular by the time Henry arrived and had two La Liga champions' medal.
Messi was still aware of Henry's star status and his achievements with Arsenal.
"The first day he entered the dressing room, I didn't dare look at his face.
"I knew everything he had done in England. I had a picture of him made and suddenly we were on the same team," Messi told L'Equipe.
"I loved Henry's ease at finishing his chances, as he takes the path to goal and ends the play.
"He gives the impression that it is natural. His movement, his dribbling, the shot – it is all fluid."
Messi, along with Henry and Eto, clinched Barcelona their first treble in 2008/09 season under Pep Guardiola. That Barcelona team clinched all six possible titles that year.
As much as Henry left an impression on Messi, the Frenchman has spoken multiple times of how he was wowed by the diminutive talent.
Back in 2016, Henry said: "Sometimes I ask myself if Messi is human."
He later told Sky Sports: "I have seen him doing stuff in training and it is just amazing. When he gets upset, he runs around the whole team.
"There is nothing you can do.
"When you have Leo Messi it is a big advantage. When you have that man in your side, anything can happen."
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