Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has revealed the intense standards Lionel Messi set for himself at Camp Nou, claiming the Argentine was rarely satisfied unless he scored.
Umtiti, who played alongside Messi between 2016 and 2021, witnessed the forward score at least 30 goals in five consecutive seasons, including campaigns where he surpassed 50.
Never satisfied
Despite Barcelona’s domestic success, Messi constantly demanded more from himself. “If we won 4–0 and he didn’t score, he wasn’t happy,” Umtiti said. “In his mind, he always had to score. That’s what separates the great players.”
Humble leader
Umtiti described Messi as humble and approachable, creating a comfortable environment for team-mates while leading by example and setting elite standards on and off the pitch.
What makes Messi special
The former France international praised Messi’s intelligence and unpredictability, highlighting his ability to control tempo, exploit space and decide matches on his own. “There is no recipe to defend Leo,” he added.
Elite environment
Umtiti also explained how Barcelona’s structure allowed players to focus entirely on football, reinforcing the professionalism that helped Messi and other legends thrive.