Lionel Messi: Arbeloa counts the days for the Barcelona star to retire and claims that he will never be able to enjoy him as a player

The former Real Madrid right-back, Alvaro Arbeloa, said that he was counting well until Lionel Messi announced his retirement and feared that he could never enjoy it. as a footballer.

The 36-year-old, who retired in 2017, faced Messi in Madrid, with Arbeloa playing 237 appearances in all competitions in the two episodes at Bernabeu.

And although Messi is considered one of the greatest players in history, Arbeloa insists that he will never be able to appreciate the capabilities of the filmmaker. Argentina because of its links with Madrid.

"I respect Barcelona a lot because it's a great team with a great player like Lionel Messi," he said. Marca. "He's very good, although I've never been able to enjoy it [watching him] and I do not think I'll ever do it.

"I hope that he will retire shortly, I count the days."

The former Spanish international Arbeloa has won a world champion title while he was in Madrid, although it is the Barca who currently occupies the top of the La Liga standings.

Both teams are also in the running for the Champions League. Los Blancos will try to defend their crown against Ajax in the last match, while the Barca take in Lyon on February 19th.

Arbeloa says that even though he's not "anti-Barcelona", he even takes pleasure in seeing them lose in training.

"I'm not anti-Barcelona," he added. "I still want them to lose because it's good for Real Madrid." Real Madrid fans are not opposed to Barcelona, ​​but I hope they'll lose at the same time. 39, training tomorrow.

"Would I want them not to go through the Champions League? Yes, there would be one less rival.

"Barcelona were always a difficult team, they are a great team. I always went to beat them.

"I've always seen voltage in Clasicos, even seeing Zinedine Zidane with his hands around Luis Enrique's neck. "

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Arbeloa also commented on Isco 's situation in Madrid, the playmaker having struggled to carve out a regular spot in the eleventh match of Santiago Solari since the nomination of Argentina.

The former man from Liverpool said: "Isco had an experience he had never seen before, he had to play in a position that is not his.

"I am the number one fan of Isco and I hope that he will stay at Real Madrid for many more years."