Atletico Madrid star admits he grew up watching Barcelona and idolized two club legends: ‘Wanted to be like them’

Atletico Madrid star admits he grew up watching Barcelona and idolized two club legends: ‘Wanted to be like them’ Barcelona’s golden generation continues to be regarded as one of the best club teams ever to have played football. Their influence is still visible across Europe, even after several important figures left the club. While Lionel Messi was the biggest attraction, there were other players who caught the eye. Atletico Madrid star Cristian Romero has now admitted that the defensive partnership of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol left a lasting impression on aspiring players. Speaking in an interview with Gaston Edul on Los Edul , the Argentina international revealed how his admiration for Messi led him to follow Barcelona. Romero reveals his admiration for Pique and Puyol What started as an interest in following Barça led Romero to look up to two of the club’s greatest defenders. “I grew up watching Barca because of Messi. When I was younger, I wanted to be like Pique and Puyol,” Romero said. Romero has now developed into one of Argentina’s best defenders of his generation. The 28-year-old joined Atletico Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur back in the summer. Pique and Puyol defined a generation for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) He now plays under Diego Simeone, a manager who would love the aggression and passion that he brings to the position. Pique and Puyol formed the backbone of Barcelona’s defence during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. While Pique offered composure, excellent distribution and intelligence in possession, Puyol brought leadership, aggression and defensive determination. Barcelona’s influence extends beyond Messi Interestingly, Romero also praised another Barcelona player during the interview, identifying Pedri as the best assist provider in world football. Romero’s defensive style resembles Puyol’s more than Pique’s, but the Argentine is also very decent with the ball at his feet. Never afraid to get stuck into a challenge, the ex-Spurs man has seemingly moulded his game into a hybrid of the two defenders he grew up watching. His admiration for Barcelona’s success is particularly interesting considering these comments come as he plays for Atletico Madrid. Cristian Romero was offered to Barcelona this summer. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) Romero will come face to face with Barça on many an occasion in the coming seasons and will want to put in solid displays against the club he grew up watching. Interestingly, the Catalans were also offered the chance to sign him back in the summer but chose not to move for him despite his relatively modest fee. Romero’s words serve as a reminder that the great Barcelona side was built on more than just attacking brilliance. Today, Barcelona have another technically gifted young defender in Pau Cubarsi, whose qualities are reminiscent of those of a young Gerard Pique. It remains to be seen whether he goes on to influence another kid who grows up watching Barcelona and becomes a professional in the next decade.