Lionel Messi named the only friend in his career who 'knows him perfectly'

Lionel Messi has revealed which of his teammates knows him "perfectly", but it might not be who you expect.

The 37-year-old Argentine is arguably the greatest footballer to ever play, but throughout his trophy-laden career, he has been helped by some top-class teammates.

Cast your mind back to the great Barcelona squad between 2008 and 2012.

Pep Guardiola managed an almost perfect team that consisted of legendary players such as Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Xavi, David Villa, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o.

During this period, Messi was clearly at the height of his powers, having scored 91 goals in 2012 – breaking the record held by Bayern Munich's Gert Muller, who scored 85 times in 1972.

A huge number of 91 shots were assisted by Messi's Barca teammates, with Iniesta, Xavi and right-back Pedro regularly creating chances for the Argentine.

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However, many times, Messi took matters into his own hands and dribbled past several opposition players as if they weren't there before beating helpless goalkeepers.

But surprisingly, it is one player who joined Barca after Guardiola left Camp Nou in the summer of 2012 who has a "special connection" with Messi.

"Jordi Alba knows me perfectly," Messi told Catalunya Radio, via Barca's website, in 2018. "He knows when I'm going to give him a no-look pass. I have a special relationship with him."

Alba, 35, known for his relentless running down the left flank, assisted 23 of Messi's 672 goals for Barcelona.

The Spain international is a Barca legend in his own right, having won 16 trophies during his 11-year spell at the club.

When Messi left the Catalans for PSG in 2021, Alba was likely to be among the few members of the dressing room who would have been disappointed to see him go.

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But the pair reunited in July 2023 when Alba joined David Beckham-owned MLS side Inter Miami, linking up with Messi and former Barca star Sergio Busquets.

Another former Barca player, Luis Suarez joined the club in December 2023 to add to their already iconic line-up. /Telegraph/