Former Real Madrid and Alania player Royston Drenthe has recalled an incident where former Barcelona player Lionel Messi racially abused him during Drenthe's loan period at Spanish club Hercules.
Royston Drenthe for Diario AS
In a game when I was at Hercules, against Barcelona, Messi called me a s***** n*****. Then he told me that the Argentine players among them were called s***** b*****, for them it was a normal thing, but they have to understand that a boy like me didn’t like it. It’s not the same if my friends told me in training, than if a rival told me it. After that we have not talked about it again, the issue passed. I have a lot of respect for him because he has been one of the best players in the world.
Messi, a product of Barcelona academy, played 778 games for the club, scoring 672 goals and providing 303 assists.
Since 2023, the 37-year-old Argentine has been playing for Inter Miami. This season, he has appeared in three matches for the American club, scoring two goals and making two assists.
Royston Drenthe retired from playing in November 2023. His last club was Kozakken Boys, which competes in the fourth division of the Netherlands.
In related news, the 37-year-old Messi received a yellow card for shouting at the referee during an MLS match.
