Messi likened to skiing great Alberto Tomba by Poland coach
Real Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea believes that Lionel Messi is like one of his childhood heroes.
The 25-year-old is in Poland for a training camp with his current club, Lech Pozna. De Gea has been in charge of his country’s team since 2016.
Messi has been the star attraction of the camp in the past and has been likened to the legendary Alberto Tomba – who had been a goalkeeper for Spain between 1955 and 1977.
“I watched him in an international with our kids,” the goalkeeper told Marca. “I’m very proud to be one of the first internationals that Lionel Messi has been in. I have the utmost respect for him.”
De Gea made his debut for the Spain U-21s in 2004 and in 2011 he was selected to be part of the squad for the U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
He would be called up to the senior team in June 2013 for the World Cup in Brazil. He would return to Spain for the Copa America the following year, with Madrid finishing as runners-up to Manchester United.
Since his retirement from the La Liga, De Gea has become the Madrid goalkeeper’s assistant manager.
Messi, who was a key member of the Argentina squad that won the Copa America in 2014, is hoping to find a new club to call home once his playing career comes to an end.
