Walker Reflects on ‘Nobody Here Is Lionel Messi‘ Comment in Wake of Joao Felix Criticism
There’s something refreshingly honest about Kyle Walker. Whether he’s sprinting past wingers or speaking his mind in the dressing room, you know you’re getting the raw, unfiltered version of the man. So when the Manchester City defender found himself caught on camera during a heated exchange with Joao Felix during AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli, it was only a matter of time before he offered some context. After all, telling a teammate that “nobody here is Messi” was always going to make headlines.
But as Walker explained on his podcast, it wasn’t a dig—it was a dose of reality. A reminder that football, especially at the highest level, is still a team game at heart.
From Manchester to Milan: The Premier League Connection at San Siro
The moment in question came during half-time in a game that was already threatening to slip away from Milan. Both Walker and Felix, former Premier League stars now plying their trade in Serie A, found themselves in the spotlight. For Walker, it was a case of trying to restore order amid chaos. For Felix, it was a nudge—perhaps a stern one—to simplify things.
“It wasn’t me saying to Joao, ‘you’re not Messi, pass the ball’,” Walker explained on The Kyle Walker Podcast. “It was saying, ‘let’s make sure we have a process’. He agreed with me and said we need to have more passes and a bit more control.”
That’s the key word here: control. As Walker sees it, football isn’t always about flair or improvisation. It’s about structure, shape, and patience.
The Messi Comparison: Praise and Perspective
To be clear, Walker wasn’t belittling Messi, nor was he putting down Felix. Quite the opposite. His comment was more about realism than ridicule.
“The comment I said was, ‘nobody is Messi’,” Walker continued. “That’s in every team in the world, bar certain individuals who can turn a game on its head when they want to. I give them their plaudits—Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Mo Salah, Ousmane Dembele, who has been on fire since the start of the year.”
There’s no shame in not being Messi. Most players, even the elite, fall into that category. What matters, according to Walker, is knowing your strengths—and your limits. In a high-stakes match like that one against Napoli, overcomplicating things can be fatal.
Back to Basics: The City Blueprint
Anyone who’s watched Manchester City under Pep Guardiola knows the value they place on rhythm, control, and collective movement. That’s the philosophy Walker has embraced over the years, and it’s one he was trying to bring into Milan’s setup.
“At City, most of our joy over the last number of years was from a process,” he said. “Everything was the process of working out where you were on the pitch. That was with passes.”
It’s the kind of footballing ideology that prioritises efficiency over expression—at least until the moment is right. Against a well-drilled side like Napoli, those margins matter. Break their lines through patience, not panic.
Joao Felix and the Art of Balance
In fairness to Felix, the Portuguese forward is a naturally expressive player. His game thrives on instinct, flair, and spontaneity. But even the most creative minds need to adapt when the occasion calls for discipline. Walker’s point wasn’t that Felix is incapable—it’s that in certain matches, playing smart beats playing pretty.
And as Walker noted, Felix understood the message.
“He agreed with me,” Walker reiterated. “Said we need more passes, a bit more control. It was a conversation, not a confrontation.”
That nuance may have been lost in the viral clip, but it’s crucial. This wasn’t a dressing-room bust-up. It was two professionals trying to figure out a better way forward.
The Bigger Picture: Milan’s Mixed Bag
Despite that Napoli defeat, Milan had reason to cheer soon after. A 3-0 derby win over Inter saw them book a place in the Coppa Italia final. Walker didn’t feature due to injury, while Felix was a late substitute. But both remain central figures as the Rossoneri aim to end their season on a high.
It’s also worth noting the long-term view here. Walker’s leadership, both vocally and tactically, has been a vital addition to the Milan squad. Whether on the pitch or in the dressing room, he brings a level of experience few others can match. And while his delivery may be blunt, his intentions are clear—help the team win.
What Next for Walker, Felix, and Milan?
With a Coppa Italia final looming and Champions League qualification still a realistic goal, Milan’s season could yet end on a positive note. For Walker, the priority is getting back to full fitness and continuing to lead by example. For Felix, the task is to find the right blend of creativity and control—something his conversation with Walker clearly aimed to address.
As for the Messi comment? It’ll live on in memes and matchday soundbites, but those who understand football will see it for what it was: a passionate plea for pragmatism.
Because at the end of the day, as Walker rightly said, very few players are Messi. And that’s not a criticism—it’s just the truth.
