Lionel Messi says he would not have become the player he is today had he not been through the La Masia academy.
The Argentine was speaking in reaction to the news that Barcelona’s 2015 transfer embargo has been upheld, owing to irregularities in the club’s signing of players for their famed youth system.
“When I arrived I went through difficult moments because I had six months without being able to play,” Messi told the Barca Fans app.
“The club were waiting for the transfer and I couldn’t play until all the documents were in order.
“It was hard to train with my teammates without being able to play.
“Everything surprised me and pleased me at the beginning because it was very different to what I knew, even though it made me shy having to get changed in front of the other boys in the changing room.
“I am what I am thanks to La Masia and what I learned there.”
