Former Barcelona wonderkid involved in embarrassing Lionel Messi ‘trick’ that saw Neymar, Luis Suarez and other senior stars leave him red-faced

Stepping into a dressing room occupied by the iconic attacking trident of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar was a daunting task for the then-18-year-old Munir. During an early training camp, the teenager found himself looking for a place to sit at the team hotel and sought guidance from his more experienced colleagues. Unbeknownst to him, the senior players seized the opportunity to orchestrate a light-hearted prank by directing him toward a specific, seemingly vacant chair.

Speaking to DAZNabout the transition from the academy to the first team, Munir explained how he was easily misled by the group's superstars. Believing he was simply finding a place to rest, the young forward followed the instructions of his teammates who were eager to see him stumble. He recalled: “They told me: ‘Over there, over there, there’s no one there,’” believing it to be an empty spot.

The reality of the situation became clear when the club's greatest-ever player arrived to find his usual spot occupied by a nervous newcomer. Munir vividly remembers the moment the Argentine icon stood over him, with the rest of the squad watching on in amusement as the prank reached its climax. He said, "Just imagine… at 18, sitting in your seat, and Leo comes over and stares at you. They’ve played a trick on me, I can’t believe it."

Now 30, Munir has transitioned into a new chapter of his career after making 56 appearances and scoring 12 goals for the Catalan giants. Since September 2025, the forward has been plying his trade in Iran with Esteghlal following a permanent departure from Spain that ended his long association with La Liga. As the veteran attacker adapts to the Persian Gulf Pro League, he carries with him the unforgettable lessons learned from his time alongside football’s most elite mentors.