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Ireland reveals getting the better of Messi at Camp Nou & being named 'Superman' by Barca's president

Stephen Ireland has revealed how he once got the better of Lionel Messi in a pre-season friendly while also earning the title of "Superman" from Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

The former Manchester City star says that Laporta bear-hugged him ahead of a warm-up match in 2009, a period where Ireland was a key player for the Premier League club.

Ireland made 176 appearances for City between 2005 and 2010 after making the leap from the club's academy, before subsequently moving on to feature at Aston Villa.

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He also took in spells for the likes of Stoke and Bolton during his career, although he never played a match for the latter before ending his career in 2018.