Barcelona, Spain – Nearly a decade after a fiery exchange during a La Liga derby, former Espanyol defender Álvaro González has revisited a memorable – and contentious – moment with Lionel Messi. In a recent interview with El Chiringuito TV, González detailed the verbal clash that occurred during a match between Barcelona and Espanyol in 2016, revealing the surprisingly simple insult he leveled at the Argentine superstar.
The rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol is historically intense, and González described the atmosphere surrounding those matches as “super attractive to experience,” while acknowledging the palpable tension that accompanied visits to Camp Nou. He recalled a feeling of being singled out by the Barcelona faithful: “Ugh, here comes this pain in the neck, doesn’t he?” González remembered, referring to himself.
The incident, González explained, followed a hip check intended to impede Messi’s progress. “We suffered a lot those years,” he admitted. When pressed by journalist Josep Pedrerol about the exchange, González clarified that Messi initiated the verbal sparring by calling him “bad,” to which González retorted, “you’re very short.” He added, with a touch of self-deprecating humor, “It’s the only thing I could say, isn’t it? It was the first thing that came to mind.” The broadcast reportedly showed González initiating the exchange, though.
Reviewing footage from the 2016 match, González playfully remarked on his own appearance at the time, stating, “I’m much more handsome now than I was then.” He characterized the encounter with Messi as “a scuffle, but you could say that to everyone, more or less 99% of them. Except for Cristiano, because I ultimately have affection for him.”
This recollection echoes a previous incident in a 2015/16 clash, as highlighted in a YouTube clip, where González teased Messi with the same “You’re tiny” remark. Messi’s response was equally direct: “You’re terrible at football.”
González also revealed a regret from that period: he wished he’d had the opportunity to exchange jerseys with Messi, but the moment never presented itself. The dynamic between the two players was clearly charged, a product of the fierce competition inherent in the Barcelona-Espanyol rivalry.
The episode also brought to mind a prior confrontation where González aggressively marked Messi, leading to a complaint from the Argentine about a close elbow near the penalty area. González’s response at the time, “What do you wish, for me to let you pass?” underscored the intensity of their on-field battles.
Beyond his clashes with Messi, González’s career included other notable moments. In 2020, he was acquitted of accusations of racism following an incident with Neymar during a heated match between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. Neymar accused González of racist insults, but the investigation concluded without sanctions. González maintained his innocence, stating, “I have never been and will never be a racist,” and expressed gratitude for the support from his club and fans.
González ultimately retired from professional football in 2025, choosing to end his career with Tenerife despite having a contract that extended to 2027. He opted to conclude his playing days earlier than anticipated after several seasons competing in various European clubs. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi continues to be a dominant force, captaining the Argentina national team and currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The story of González and Messi’s on-field exchanges serves as a reminder of the passion and intensity that define top-level football, and the enduring nature of rivalries that can linger long after the final whistle. It’s a testament to the competitive spirit of both players, even when that competition spills over into verbal sparring.
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