Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi has long been recognised as one of the best footballers of his generation but it’s not just his impact on his own game that fans and fellow players are praising.
The Argentinian is now playing for just his third club in his decorated career having previously been with two European powerhouses in Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
At every club he has been at it has been clear to see that young players and experienced stars alike are looking to learn from the superstar who has won the Ballon d’Or’ a record-breaking eight times.
Recently former Inter Miami captain DeAndre Yedlin revealed that he was ‘shocked’ to discover that Messi was actually joining Inter Miami but couldn’t wait to be able to learn from him.
The latest former team-mate to speak highly on Messi’s impact on his career is current PSV and US international footballer Sergino Dest.
Sergino Dest praises former team-mate and World Cup winner Lionel Messi
Dest, speaking to Sky Sports, revealed that he learnt a number of important lessons from Lionel Messi during his early career which have proven priceless.
The US defender revealed that being able to see Messi up close and personal everyday was an education.
Dest said: “Watching them in training and in games, you try to improve your game by learning what that they do that make them so good.
“A lot of the time, it is by delaying. They see where they need to run or pass but it is different. They see the bigger picture.”
Back in 2021 when speaking on US international duty Dest spoke glowingly about Messi: “I’m playing with the best of the game, I try to take a couple of things from him but of course it’s really hard what he does.”
Dest experienced Messi’s last season at Barcelona
Dest, who rose through the famous Ajax academy, was just 19-years-old when he first experienced sharing a training pitch with Messi.
The pair spent just one season together at Barcelona in 2020/21, in what would turn out to be Lionel Messi’s final season with his boyhood club.
The season will not be remembered fondly by Barcelona fans or most players with the club going trophyless for the first time in 12 years.
Dest himself may look back on the experience overall more fondly as he became the first player from the US to represent Barcelona in an El Classico and the first to score a professional goal for the club.
The Dutch-born full-back left Barcelona on a permanent deal earlier this year to join PSV following a successful loan spell with the club. Dest left the Nou Camp with just a Copa del Rey to his name but a number of footballing lessons.