Why Rashford won't just be a bench-warmer at Barcelona

Paying £71m for Mbeumo shows how desperate Man Utd are

Is £78m Ekitike just another Nunez or Liverpool's new Henry?

Lionesses legend Bronze using experience to drive Euros bid

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Sterling set for fresh start abroad with Champions League club  

City losing another Treble winner! Ederson agrees transfer terms

Transfers LIVE: Arsenal reach £64m agreement with Sporting for Gyokeres

Real Madrid ready to terminate contract of €30m flop

Mbappe set to take new Real Madrid shirt number

England must change shape to improve defence - & rest James

Six moves Man Utd still need to make after Mbeumo's arrival

<ul><li>Spaniard faced Messi in La Liga</li><li>Worked with CR7 at Man Utd</li><li>Left in awe of two all-time greats</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

‘Made of marble!’ - Lionel Messi’s strength left David de Gea stunned as ex-Man Utd goalkeeper admits Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘not normal’

<p>Experienced goalkeeper De Gea started out in his homeland with Atletico Madrid, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-de-gea-messi-inter-miami-ronaldo-al-nassr/bltcbe561eda715bd6f" target="_blank">allowing him to line up against Barcelona and Messi</a>. He made it his mission to get inside the head of an Argentine superstar.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>That is, however, easier said than done, with De Gea finding that out the hard way. He had decided that roughing up a diminutive figure was the way to go, but discovered that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/world-cup-final-mls-training-lionel-messi-win-every-game-inter-miami-robert-taylor-explains-argentine-goat/blt7da9315808b3b61a" target="_blank">Messi is tougher than he looks</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>De Gea told <a href="https://www.cronachedispogliatoio.it/de-gea-intervista-si-racconta/ " target="_blank"><em>Cronache ii spogliatoio</em></a>: “I once gave Messi a really strong shoulder, thinking I'd send him flying three metres. I was playing for Atletico Madrid, I was very young. I thought I'd make him feel my presence and send him a strong signal.
</p><p>“I blocked a ball in the box near him and before clearing it, I went up to him to give him a really strong shoulder. I hit him really hard with my body, shoulder, and ball. I swear, I didn't move him an inch. He was made of marble! I assure you the blow was strong, but he didn't move. 
</p><p>“Another example that he, like Cristiano, has always taken care of everything in his career: a life focused on performance. Messi is small, but he has an incredible physique. And you also build it with your mentality. That's why I want to see how many will be able to reach their level in a few years. But not for a season or two, mind you... for twenty years!”</p>

WHAT DE GEA SAID

<p>De Gea <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/like-a-dream---de-gea-delighted-with-ronaldo-return-for-man-utd/11e9x2ux6ycxq14jwcju4m8nyi" target="_blank">worked alongside Ronaldo during the Portuguese’s brief second stint at Manchester United</a>. He added on the Real Madrid legend, who is still going strong with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr: “It's not normal. He's 40 years old, still scoring goals and winning titles. A competitive beast. The way he looks after himself is sensational . There are one or two in history like him. You can do well for a year or two, but not do it like that for 20 years.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Ronaldo has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-reveals-why-stay-al-nassr-offers-fifa-club-world-cup/blt106d0b7a2ee8ff92" target="_blank">committed to a new two-year contract in the Middle East</a>, taking him beyond his 42nd birthday, while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/too-easy-not-healthy-lionel-messi-playstation-soccer-mls-leave-america-ready-world-cup-argentina/blta0c3c4e597382fec" target="_blank">Messi is yet to extend his stay at MLS outfit Inter Miami</a>. Both global icons are expected to grace next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & RONALDO?

‘Made of marble!’ - Lionel Messi’s strength left David de Gea stunned as ex-Man Utd goalkeeper admits Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘not normal’ | Goal.com

David de Gea says Lionel Messi is “made of marble” and Cristiano Ronaldo is “not normal”, with the Spaniard having played with and against the GOATs.