Pablo Maffeo against Messi in Barcelona-Girona (freeze frame from YouTube)
BARCELONA (SPAIN) – Lionel Messi was interviewed by the official TV of the Spanish Liga (the Spanish championship). The champion of Barcelona was asked for the name of the toughest defender faced during his career. Many expected illustrious names to Sergio Ramos but the Argentine striker has named a footballer that no one would have guessed!
This is Pablo Maffeo who used strong ways to mark him during a Barcelona-Girona game in September 2017. Messi said: “Pablo Maffeo is the toughest defender I have ever met. He followed me everywhere, it was a nightmare, he exaggerated! ".
Who is Pablo Maffeo. He is a Spanish footballer of Italian origin, defender of Girona on loan from Stuttgart. Until now he has only played with Spain's youth national teams, so theoretically he could still be called up with the Italian national team "A".
He started playing football as a striker, to then be moved to the right wing role at the time of Espanyol and finally to that of full back. Very fast and technically valid, he is capable in setting the game and in offensive insertions; also good in the defensive phase, he has an excellent sense of position and is almost unsurpassed in individual marking.
Thanks to his tactical flexibility, he can also be deployed as a central defender. During his career, he played in Spain (Espanyol and Girona), England (Manchester City) and Germany (Stuttgart) (YouTube video).
Source: Blitz Quotidiano