{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.timecybermedia.com/Pages/sports/Football/former-barcelona-star-jrmy-mathieu-says-he-took-free-kicks-better-than-messi"},"headline":"Former Barcelona Star Jérémy Mathieu Says He Took Free Kicks Better Than Messi","description":"Ex‑Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu humorously claimed he was better at free kicks than Lionel Messi during a recent interview, sparking reactions from fans worldwide.","image":["https://res.cloudinary.com/donttjaap/image/upload/v1772278328/primetime_news/su4fbm6me8dye5rttagf.jpg"],"datePublished":"2026-02-28T11:32:08.656Z","dateModified":"2026-02-28T11:32:08.656Z","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Sneha Kumari.","url":"https://www.timecybermedia.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time Cyber Media","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.timecybermedia.com/logo.png"}},"articleSection":"sports","articleBody":"

Former FC Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu recently stirred up conversation in the football world with a light‑hearted remark about his free‑kick ability in comparison to club legend Lionel Messi. During a television interview, Mathieu joked that he might have taken free kicks better than Messi — despite Messi’s well‑established reputation as one of the greatest free‑kick takers of all time. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Mathieu, who played for Barcelona from 2014 to 2017 after a successful stint at Valencia, reflected on his career and experiences at the Camp Nou. He admitted that Messi was “incredible” in training, confessing that it was difficult to compete with the Argentine superstar in practice sessions. However, with a grin, he claimed his own free‑kick skills may have rivalled Messi’s. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Fans and pundits quickly reacted to Mathieu’s comment on social media, with many viewing it as a playful jab rather than a serious comparison. Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the best free‑kick specialists in modern football, known for scoring numerous set‑piece goals throughout his career. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Mathieu also spoke about other memorable moments from his career, including his time playing alongside Messi and lifting trophies with Barcelona. While his claim may have been made in jest, it highlights the humour and personality often expressed by former professionals when looking back on their careers.