I trained with Lionel Messi and Barcelona created unique rule for defenders like me

Footballing greats are often handed certain privileges and for arguably the greatest of them all, it was no different.

When Lionel Messi’s illustrious career comes to an end, he will be best remembered for his time at Barcelona, winning the Champions League three times and La Liga on ten occasions.

The Argentine was key to Barcelona’s unparalleled success during a trophy-laden 15-year spell for the Catalan giants and according to one former teammate, his brilliance made him literally untouchable.

«At Barcelona, we weren't allowed to touch him in training,” Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo told the Ligue 1 Show.

“That sounds far-fetched but it's true, we had to be careful, that's normal. He's the GOAT! You don't want to injure him.»

And who could argue with the instructions on facing Messi – a player that has contributed 672 goals and 303 assists in 788 games for the club.

Todibo spent two-years at the Nou Camp alongside Messi before returning to his native France at the same time Messi swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Frenchman endured a difficult time in Spain, making just four appearances for Barcelona before loan stints at Schalke, Benfica and Nice.

But things have taken an upturn in recent times and Todibo is continuing to catch the eye of a host of Premier League clubs after another impressive season on the Cote d’Azur.

Manchester United are the latest team to have shown an interest in the towering centre-back who has played his part in Nice boasting the best defensive statistics in European football this season.

Francisco Farioli’s men sit second in Ligue 1, one point adrift of leaders PSG but more impressively, Les Aiglons have conceded just four times in their opening 13 league fixtures.

Half of their tally of