The former FC Barcelona defender who believes he was better than Lionel Messi at free kicks

Barcelona’s trophy-laden era under Luis Enrique has produced countless memories, but one anecdote has resurfaced to amuse supporters: former centre-back Jeremy Mathieu insists he was the superior free-kick taker to Lionel Messi. Speaking in a light-hearted interview syndicated by Barca Blaugranes, Mathieu declared, “I think I was better at free kicks than Lionel Messi,” a claim delivered with a smile yet steeped in the Frenchman’s trademark self-belief.

During Mathieu’s Camp Nou tenure from 2014, set-piece responsibilities rested almost exclusively with Messi, whose curling efforts became a hallmark of Barcelona’s attack. Mathieu’s tongue-in-cheek assertion therefore raises eyebrows, yet it offers a rare glimpse into the confident mindset that pervaded the squad.

Mathieu also recalled his first conversation with Luis Enrique before the coach had officially taken charge. “‘I love how you play. If I’m the coach, I want you on the team,’” the incoming manager told him. Mathieu admitted he hesitated: “I didn’t want to say ‘Wait, because for now you’re not Barcelona’s coach.’ I thought, ‘Let’s see if he’s selling a dream.’” The defender ultimately signed and contributed to a side that swept major honours.

While Mathieu’s free-kick comparison to Messi is clearly playful, it adds another colourful chapter to the stories exchanged inside Barcelona’s dressing room during a golden period for the club.