Sunday, 15 July 2012 00:51

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BARCELONA: Lionel Messi (pic) revealed his teammates in Barcelona's La Masia youth set-up thought he was dumb.

Messi, also known as La Pulga or The Flea, scored a record 73 goals in 60 appearances in a stellar 2011-2012 season as Barca won four trophies, but his ability on the pitch was questioned early on in his career by his teammates.

"Cesc Fabregas told me that when I was little, I dressed in silence and they thought I was dumb," he told Hungarian magazine Kepes Sport.

"Now I am more open, and not so shy in the locker room as it was before in La Masia."

The Argentina international captain also revealed his pleasure at recent comments made by Brazilian 'wonder kid' Neymar, who labeled him as "the best in the world".

"I am very grateful for the comments of Neymar about me. It is always nice when it comes from another player," said the 25-year-old Messi.

Messi will start pre-season training with Barca tomorrow, ahead of the first friendly against Hamburg on July 24.

Meanwhile, Messi has won the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY) for Best International Athlete.

With that record 73 goals he struck last season, Messi helped Barca to victories in the Spanish Supercopa, European Super Cup, Fifa Club World Cup and Copa del Rey.

In recognition of his achievements over the past campaign, Messi pipped Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, reigning US and Australian Open tennis champion Novak Djokovic and female golfer Yani Tseng to the prestigious honor, presented by sports broadcaster ESPN.Messi is the latest in a long line of sporting greats to receive the award, including the likes of Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Usain Bolt.