Pablo Maffeo Reflects on Messi Praise Ahead of Spanish Supercopa

RCD Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo has opened up about the high praise he received from Lionel Messi, who once called him the hardest defender he has ever faced. The comment came ahead of Mallorca’s Spanish Supercopa semifinal clash against Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on January 9, 2025.

Messi made the remark during a 2020 interview with DAZN, reflecting on a 2017 La Liga match when Maffeo, then a 20-year-old Girona player, man-marked the Argentine superstar. Despite Barcelona’s 3-0 victory, Messi was held scoreless, and Maffeo’s relentless marking left a lasting impression. “Pablo Maffeo, when he was at Girona, was the hardest defender I’ve ever faced,” Messi said. “I’ve never been one to complain. I believe that physical contact is part of football.”

Maffeo, now 27, described Messi’s acknowledgment as the “best recognition from the best player in history.” He added, “We lost that game, but the experience will always mark my life.” The defender, who has since established himself as a key player for Mallorca, credits his time at Manchester City and Girona for shaping his career.

Born in San Juan Despi, a suburb of Barcelona, Maffeo joined Manchester City’s youth system at 15. Despite limited first-team opportunities under Pep Guardiola, he gained valuable experience before moving to Girona, where he helped the club earn promotion to La Liga in 2017. Maffeo’s career has since taken him to Stuttgart, Huesca, and finally Mallorca, where he has found stability and growth.

Maffeo also addressed his rivalry with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., which has included on-field clashes and off-field controversies. In February 2023, a Mallorca match against Madrid was marred by racist abuse directed at Vinicius, leading to a criminal conviction for one fan. Maffeo condemned the incident, stating, “Arguments on the pitch are one thing, but racism is something completely different. You can never cross that line.”

As Mallorca prepares for the Spanish Supercopa, Maffeo emphasized the importance of the competition for his team. “We want to win the Supercopa,” he said. “It’ll be difficult, but that’s our aim. Nobody here has played a Supercopa before, so it’s maybe more exciting for us than for Madrid or Barcelona.”

The Spanish Supercopa, traditionally held in Spain, has been hosted in Saudi Arabia since 2019 as part of a lucrative deal. Maffeo expressed his preference for the tournament to remain in Spain, stating, “It’s the Spanish Supercopa, nothing to do with Arabia. That decision was for the interests of others.”

Mallorca enters the semifinal in strong form, sitting sixth in La Liga at the halfway point of the season. Under new manager Jagoba Arrasate, the team has built on its defensive foundation while improving its attacking play. Maffeo remains optimistic about Mallorca’s future, both in the Supercopa and beyond.