Derogatory Lionel Messi nickname given to him by Diego Simeone is revealed as Atletico Madrid boss used disrespectful term to stop his players being afraid of Inter Miami superstar

Simeone faced Lionel Messi on many occasions during his time at Barcelona which led the Atletico boss to come up with a nickname for the Argentina international. Former Atletico defender Filipe Luis has revealed how Simeone tried his best to stop the Barcelona star and what he used to call the forward in the Atletico dressing room.

He told Marca: "At Atleti, Simeone put four players on Messi! So when he scored, it was not one player’s fault, it was just Messi. Before the games against Barcelona, Simeone never used Messi’s name. He always called him ‘the dwarf’, so when we were in front of him, we would not be afraid of him.”

Simeone's attempts to stop Messi were often in vain as the Argentine seemed to thrive against the Rojiblancos. Messi scored 32 goals in 42 games against Atletico, ensuring the team from Madrid were one of his favourite victims in La Liga. Of course, Simeone no longer has to figure out a way of stopping Messi as he's now with Inter Miami in MLS.

Messi is currently enjoying a break as it's the offseason in MLS and he won't return to action until 2024. However, the icon has been spotted working out at the 'Glute Lab' with wife Antonela Roccuzzo in a bid to maintain his fitness levels. Messi and Miami are due back to work in January and will play a first pre-season friendly against El Salvador.