Craziest Lionel Messi Training Stories: From ‘Buck Naked’ Pull-Ups to Dribbling Entire Barcelona Team

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Lionel Messi, often hailed as the greatest footballer of all time, continues to mesmerize fans with his unparalleled skills, work ethic, and unrelenting passion for the game. At 37, the Argentine superstar recently concluded another remarkable season of top-flight football.

The forward helped Inter Miami clinch the Supporters' Shield and Argentina secure a hard-fought Copa América victory. While Messi's feats on the pitch are well-documented, his extraordinary training stories often remain behind the scenes.

As Messi eyes the challenges of 2025, including the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and a return to the Concacaf Champions Cup, it’s worth revisiting some of the most remarkable anecdotes that showcase his genius during training sessions.

Here are some of the craziest training stories from Messi’s illustrious career that underline why his teammates and opponents alike regard him as a living legend.

Dominating with Untied Boots

During his time at Barcelona, Dani Alves shared a fascinating account of Messi effortlessly dismantling the team’s defence in a high-intensity training session – all while his boots were untied.

In 2017, Alves recalled Messi dribbling past defenders and finishing with surgical precision, leaving his teammates in awe. "At first, I thought it was a joke," Alves said. "But then I realised it wasn’t. He kept running past us as if it were the easiest thing in the world."

The Untouchable Rule

Jean-Clair Todibo revealed that during his stint at Barcelona, Messi was deemed "untouchable" in training. Players were instructed to avoid making physical contact with the Argentine to prevent injuries. “It might sound crazy, but it was true,” Todibo said. “Everyone understood that protecting Messi was vital.”

The same cautious approach reportedly continues at Inter Miami, where teammates defend against Messi with care to avoid disrupting his flow or risking harm.

Dribbling Past Entire Barcelona Team in Anger

Former teammate Thierry Henry shared an iconic story about Messi responding to a perceived injustice during a Barcelona training session. After a foul on a teammate went unnoticed, Messi took matters into his own hands.

“He ran back to the goalkeeper, demanded the ball, and then dribbled through the entire team to score,” Henry revealed.

Messi’s Naked Pull-Ups at Inter Miami

Oscar Ustari, Messi’s compatriot and a goalkeeper at Inter Miami, recounted a hilarious yet telling anecdote about Messi’s eccentric training habits. On Ustari’s first day at the club, Messi was reportedly doing pull-ups – “buck naked” – surrounded by teammates who couldn’t help but laugh.

Despite the quirky moment, Ustari emphasised Messi’s professionalism and competitiveness. “He’s incredible at everything and treats everyone equally,” Ustari said.