The Heavy Prank by Neymar and Lionel Messi on a Former FC Barcelona Teammate

Munir El Haddadi revealed how he fell into a prank set up by Lionel Messi and Neymar during his first days at Barcelona. A story that mixes pressure, hierarchy, and the unique humor inside the Barça locker room.

Messi and Neymar: leaders of the locker room… and the pranks

The locker room of FC Barcelona during the golden era of the famous trio wasn’t just full of talent—it was also built on unwritten rules. And one of them came to light through a story that still resonates years later.

The protagonist is Munir El Haddadi, who recalled how, as a teenager, he ended up falling into a trap orchestrated by two of the biggest figures: Lionel Messi and Neymar.

According to what he shared in an interview with DAZN, it all started innocently. A young Munir, just 18, asked where he should sit during a team gathering. The answer came quickly… and with hidden intentions: “Over there, no one’s sitting there.”

The awkward moment: “He looks at you… and you get it”

Without suspecting anything, Munir took the suggested seat. But there was one crucial detail: that spot already had an owner.

And not just anyone—it belonged to Lionel Messi.

The forward described the moment with a mix of humor and tension: “Imagine being 18… you’re sitting there and Messi walks in and looks at you…”. The Argentine didn’t need to say a word. The message was crystal clear.

“You just know you have to get up. You don’t stay there”, Munir explained, making it clear that hierarchy in that locker room spoke louder than words.

The rest of the squad burst into laughter. For them, it was a classic scene. For him, it was a crash course in how things worked at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Neymar, Suárez and the humor that defined the group

While Messi was at the center of the moment, the prank wasn’t a solo act. Neymar played his part, along with other leaders like Luis Suárez, who fully understood these kinds of “initiations.”

Beyond the awkwardness, these dynamics revealed something deeper: a tight-knit squad with very clear hierarchies.

Munir also highlighted that, despite these pranks, the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Still, the underlying message was strong: earning your place in that team required more than talent—it meant understanding the internal codes.

More than a prank: a lesson in Barça hierarchy

What may seem like a simple joke actually reveals the essence of that locker room: leadership, character, and an unquestionable hierarchy led by Messi.

Munir learned it the hard way. And while it was uncomfortable at the time, today he sees it as part of a unique journey.