“Messi’s will be a shot of energy”

Victor Vazquez (36) generated next Leo Messi a successful duo known to everyone in the cadet of boat, when they were both 14 years old. They are, along with Piqué, Cesc and the rest of the teammates, the dreaded ’87 generation’. That tandem between the Barcelonan and the Argentine was a very high goal, but things went wrong for the man from Guinardó due to injuries and he left to look for new challenges in the European, American and Arab leagues. Now, he’s enjoying his second spell at Toronto FC (MLS), which means he’ll be reunited with his old friend, who just announced he’s signed for Inter Miami.

How are you? Is the recovery going well?

Good, gradually recovering. On May 1 I underwent surgery with Ramon Cugat in Barcelona for a calcareous bone injury. I’m in the recovery phase, working hard. Tomorrow I will try to start running on a special machine, but the truth is that I still have a little pain. When the pain started, we decided to stop. The bone bothered me, I was like a prick and Cugat served the bone for me. He told me he would be out between 10 and 12 weeks. In other words, I have six or seven left.

He will recover well, because in September he has a match against Leo Mesi…

Hahahaha I have to be yes or yes! The normal thing is yes, that it is already at the end of July

If the coach didn’t take you to the ‘labingsa’ or the game, would you ask him?

I know that I will play something, that the coach will know the situation. I think if I’m good I’ll play, even as a substitute. I never thought he did that to me! (laughs)

Well, we now have a show in Miami… Crazy, right?

Oops! It will be incredible for the city, for the club, for the fans… It will be a boost of energy to have the best in the world. Because I still consider him the best in the world

Have you followed him all these years?

I always follow him. Lately he hasn’t been seen enjoying himself despite having great players by his side. And this is normal. Happened to me too. When you leave Can Barca after many years and with the pressure from PSG to win the Champions League… Messi is the best in the world but he needs players around him to accompany him. I don’t think he has to shut up, with the World Cup he has done everything

Where and how can I get the news?

I heard it at home, Tuesday night. As soon as I got to training in the morning it was already known that it was an hour and in the afternoon it was confirmed. People were surprised, no one expected, at least for it to happen so fast. In fact, I am convinced that I will return to Barça. Knowing him, I knew he would not be happy in Saudi Arabia. In Miami it will be very good, everything is more like in Barcelona. You will enjoy MLS, it is a league that is growing, a very competitive championship where nothing is decided until the end

What was your first thought?

The first thing is that I can play against him, because since I left Barça it won’t happen anymore. I’m excited to get back together. I think it will be special for him too, but for me it’s incredible to meet again. My goal is to be ready on September 20, Inter-Toronto day (laughs). I will have fun. For the game itself, to talk to him in person again, for changing our shirts… For everything that could happen. He is a sensitive person and he will know, like me, the moment. We have known each other for 22 years

I’d rather he sign for Toronto, of course

Of course, we were joking yesterday. I’m happy, but I want to finish my career with Leo. Hey, you never know! I plan to play for at least a few more years. If necessary, I would suggest signing with Inter Miami (laughs).

Do you think you can save the team situation?

The options to win MLS with Inter Miami are very difficult. Of course he will score goals and provide assists, but here he doesn’t have a team behind him. He has to adapt to a different type of football. When I give the ball away, the game doesn’t always end well. Messi will change the face of Miami but it will be difficult for them to enter the playoffs

Did you look at the Inter-Toronto date as soon as you found out about Messi?

I don’t remember what day we played against Inter Miami, actually. Maybe because I’m injured I can’t be very attentive to the calendar. My son Leo told me. He is older, he will be 10 in August and he already likes and follows football. He likes Barça, but also Espanyol. He feels attached to both, because they are Barcelona teams. It happens to me too, I’m not the typical culé. I have ‘parakeet’ family and friends and that is always a drag

Will you wait until game day to talk to him?

At this moment I will not disturb him, because these days will be intense for him. Besides, I won’t bother. Later, yes. I will try to contact him because in recent years we have lost communication. I’m very excited that he’s in the same league as me. Besides, we only had a three-hour plane ride

What memories do you have of that cadet over the years?

My last memory of Messi was against Rubin Kazan, in the Champions League, in 2010. We won 2-0 and I scored. That was unforgettable. I have many memories with him… We don’t like to study much, all we care about is football and becoming famous (laughs). We want to bite to see who scored more goals and provided more assists. He was shy and we tried to include him in everything from the cadet

Did you ever think that this reunion would be possible?

Not really, ever. Especially when we are both old and have little left in our careers

By the way, is your son named Leo after Messi?

No, what’s up? Together with my wife we ​​are looking for a short name. There were three of us and in the end that was it. Romeo was another and I can’t remember the third