Former Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo has revealed an unusual training protocol that involved Lionel Messi during his time in Spain. Todibo who was without luck at Barcelona, having joined with high expectations, disclosed that tackling Messi was strictly prohibited in training sessions. The defender said, “At Barcelona, they didn’t allow us to touch Messi in training. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. “We had to be careful. But, that’s normal, he’s the best, and you don’t want to hurt him,” he added.
Lionel Messi – Getty image Todibo’s Barcelona journey saw limited playing time, as he later embarked on loan spells to various clubs. However, Nice signed him on a permanent deal in 2021, where he excelled with the Ligue 1 side. Despite the move, Barcelona still hold a future sale percentage clause on the player.
Lionel Messi crying after exiting Barcelona in 2021. Source: Getty His deal which expired on June 30 of that year, is believed to be the highest-paid sports contract of all time. El Mundo reported that Messi reportedly agreed to receive €555,237,619 (US$604.2 million) over four seasons if he met a series of conditions. Despite not playing for the club for two years, Lionel Messi is still getting paid by Barcelona and is owed money right up until 2025. Speaking to La Vanguardia, Barcelona President Joan Laporta said; “What is owed to him is the deferral of the salary bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces pending payments that end in 2025. He is paid religiously.” Barcelona had previously claimed that Messi’s decision to reject a return to the club in favour of a move to Inter Miami stemmed from a desire to step away from the spotlight, but Laporta doubled down on that claim. 
Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi celebrating a goal during a match for Barcelona. Source: Getty While the negotiations for multiple former Messi teammates are still ongoing, there is one player that won’t join Inter Miami this summer. Angel Di Maria has decided to go back to Benfica and will sign for the Portuguese club after his contract with Juventus will expire at the end of June. Popular journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the talks are at final stages and only the final details are missing to get it sealed. Di Maria, if it all goes according to the plan, will sign a contract until June 2024 and will be back at Benfica 13 years after his last stint, when he signed for the Portuguese club and started an incredible European journey that led him to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain, and Juventus. 
Messi at a match for PSG. Source: Getty Confirming the development, Galtier said; “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes. “This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available. I don’t think any of the comments or criticisms are justified. He’s always been there for the team. It’s been a great privilege to accompany him throughout the season.” Messi has scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists across 40 appearances for the Parisian side this season. Included in that tally are 16 goals and 16 assists from 31 Ligue 1 appearances. 
Messi after a match for PSG. Source: Getty While the 35-year-old won the World Cup with Argentina last December, his time at PSG has been far from an unmitigated success. He arrived at PSG in August 2021, joining a star-studded team that includes Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, with the hope of winning the club’s first Champions League title. Although PSG clinched their 11th Ligue 1 title last weekend, in March they were once again knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16. In recent weeks, Messi has received abuse from some sections of PSG fans, and last month the club suspended him following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism and has been linked with a lucrative move there at the end of the season. There has also been talk of a return to Barcelona, where he spent the majority of his career and won 10 La Liga titles and the Champions League on four occasions. Messi has also been linked with a move to David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami. 
Confirming that they are interested in bringing Messi back to Camp Nou, Xavi told reporters; “Yes [Barcelona met with La Liga], but not only for the possible arrival of Leo. We’ll see in order to improve the squad for next year, but it is not the important issue; there is still a league to win. 
“Tomorrow we have a key game and this is the important issue. This is a matter of Mateu (Alemany) and he informs us, but, in theory, everything is going well. In the end, we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. It’s very soon to talk about it. We are focused on the match against Betis and on winning La Liga, which would give us a lot of stability. We will talk about possible signings.” 
Messi is heading toward becoming a free agent as his deal with PSG expires at the end of this season. There’s no offer yet for a contract extension. There have been reports of interest from MLS and the Middle East, but strong professional ties to Camp Nou mean that a stunning retracing of steps could take the 35-year-old back to Catalunya. Confirming that considering re-signing Messi, Yuste said; 
