Magic Man
Well-known member
Brought up yesterday on the 'Stick to Football' podcast by Neville et al... I think their focus was on the Italian teams of the 90's / early 00's, however the Pep Barca team between 2008 - 2012 (which was lightyears ahead of any other team) is coming under some scrutiny online, specifically a Dr Ramon Segura of which Pep is seemingly very close to - Pep himself as a player failed two doping tests under the care of this nutritionist whilst playing in Italy.
Also, another interesting fact, the Spanish FA did not carry out blood tests for anti-doping until 2013, only urine tests. It is impossible to detect growth hormone or other EPO's by conducting a urine test (apparently). It's widely acknowledged that at some stage in his development Messi was regularly taking Growth Hormone - some suggest he has never stopped.
I can still vividly remember the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley, watching and thinking to myself that it looks like boys against men here, United could not lay a glove on Barca.
That Barca team was outrageous, and none of the players ever seemed to be injured.
Should I take this tin foil hat off or could there be something in that?
Also, another interesting fact, the Spanish FA did not carry out blood tests for anti-doping until 2013, only urine tests. It is impossible to detect growth hormone or other EPO's by conducting a urine test (apparently). It's widely acknowledged that at some stage in his development Messi was regularly taking Growth Hormone - some suggest he has never stopped.
I can still vividly remember the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley, watching and thinking to myself that it looks like boys against men here, United could not lay a glove on Barca.
That Barca team was outrageous, and none of the players ever seemed to be injured.
Should I take this tin foil hat off or could there be something in that?