“I would knock him out in 10 seconds” - Lionel Messi’s ex-Argentina teammate on potential boxing fight with Real Madrid ace Vinicius Jr

Lionel Messi's national teammate Pablo Maffeo has claimed that he could easily knock out Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr in a boxing fight. The Mallorca star believes the match would not last more than 10 seconds and that it would be the 'most-watched' fight in history.

Speaking on the Indomitos podcast, Maffeo said he would easily beat Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr in a boxing ring. Adding that it would be a quick match, he said (via GOAL):

"It would be in a world apart, in a fictional life, but I think it could be the most-watched fight in history. I think I would win, I have no doubt, I would knock him out in 10 seconds."

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has faced Pablo Maffeo eight times on the football pitch and won six times. However, the Brazilian has scored just twice in the eight matches and has found it hard against the 27-year-old Argentine.

When Pablo Maffeo backed Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr for Ballon d'Or

In August 2024, Pablo Maffeo spoke about Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and backed the Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or. He claimed that the winger has always made things difficult for him on the pitch. Speaking on the Spanish sports television network GOL PLAY, Maffeo said (via Managing Madrid):

"When I saw them running towards me, I just prayed to God and asked myself: 'What am I doing here?' It was nice because, in the end, everyone wants to play these games against these players, but today I can’t even move. I went to him [Vinicius] and said: 'Let’s drop the nonsense. What happened happened last year, it makes no sense to carry on like this.' He told me 'Yes, yes, no problem,' and we were basically getting on fine then. Ultimately it’s not a good image."

“When I play against him I have to be more focused because, for me, he is the best player in the world in his position. They can perfectly give it [Ballon d'Or] to him, if they give it to him and he wins it must be for a reason. The truth is that he is doing things very well and if they give it to him it is because he had an exceptional year," Maffeo added.

Real Madrid face RCD Mallorca next in the Supercopa de Espana on Thursday (January 9). They will again meet at Santiago Bernabeu on May14, at the end of the season.