Days after claiming he will knock Vinicius out in boxing match, Pablo Maffeo reacts to Lionel Messi once naming him as ‘toughest defender’ to face

Lionel Messi and Vinicius Junior

Mallorca right-back Pablo Maffeo, who recently said he will knock Vinicius out in boxing match, has now opened up on an old Lionel Messi compliment. La Pulga made those comments in 2017 following an encounter with his countryman in LaLiga.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was at the peak of his abilities at that time, while Maffeo, 20 at that time, was just starting his career. However, the youngster was tremendous against his countryman on the pitch, prompting Lionel Messi to label him as the 'toughest defender he has faced.'

Reflecting on that match in a conversation with The Athletic, Maffeo insisted that La Pulga's comments feel like a trophy to him.