Despite winning numerous medals, including the Ballon d'Or six times, and breaking numerous records during his career, one question surrounding Messi is simply whether he'd be able to accomplish it in England.
While the prospect of Messi transferring to the more physically demanding Premier League has always been fascinating, the breezy Bet365 Stadium in Stoke was considered as the litmus test.
During the second half of the Clasico on Saturday night, after Karim Benzema's backheel had lit up the occasion, the heavens opened over the 'non proper' Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
The rain was too much for Barca's star, who was seen shivering on the pitch and afterwards had to change his undershirt and uniform because it was too much for him.
📸 - Messi is feeling the cold, he asks for another shirt on top of another one. pic.twitter.com/JYqBUZWP6h
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) April 10, 2021
Messi can’t even handle a cold night in Madrid and they expect him to be able to handle a cold night in Stoke 😭 https://t.co/n4Tuhc2mIm
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) April 10, 2021
Fans on Twitter speculated that this was finally confirmation that the 33-year-old couldn't stomach playing against Championship side Stoke City at their Midlands home.
On numerous occasions, the four-time Champions League winner has met English opposition in Europe's top competition and has generally he usually does well.
Messi shivering from the cold rain in Madrid just shows he could never survive a cold night at Stoke!😂@KhotsoLeeto https://t.co/yHKBY60peR
— William Valentine Lekala (@ValentineTrvth) April 10, 2021
Messi has 26 goals and six assists in 34 outings versus top Premier League teams, but none of those games have been played in Stoke.
On Saturday night, Messi was unable to assist his team take top of La Liga, as Ronald Koeman's side fell behind 2-0 before halftime to goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos.
Barcelona pulled one back in the second half and may have had a penalty, but they still trail Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid by one point with eight games remaining for the Catalan giants.
Images Credit: Twitter