'People believed I was mute when I first arrived in Barcelona,' Messi

Argentine football star Lionel Messi revealed that when he first arrived to Barcelona as a junior player, aged 13, “people believed I was mute” because he was shy and aloof.

The world player of the year clarified that his disposition is more open and has lost some of his shyness, at least in the locker rooms, as he gained confidence and eventually became an icon of the Spanish team.

“Cesc Fábregas told me that because I was so silent when I was younger, he believed I was mute,” la Pulga said and assured he’s more open and not as shy as in his first years in Barcelona, club to which he arrived as a diminutive, shy 13 year old in 2000.

Currently on holiday, Messi is expected to rejoin his teammates on Monday, with new coach Tito Vilanova, who replaces highly successful Pep Guardiola. Under Guardiola’s lead, Barcelona won 14 championships in four years, including two Champions League.