Junior Firpo’s old tweets about breaking Lionel Messi’s legs have returned to haunt him after the young Spanish centre-back completed his move to La Liga champions Barcelona from Real Betis. The 23-year-old, who penned a five-year deal with the Catalan giants, had in the past bragged about breaking “Messi’s both legs” with “one kick” and now it seems to have come back to bother him. The old tweets resurfaced on Twitter just hours after Barcelona confirmed Firpo’s signing from their domestic rivals Betis. Lionel Messi Snubs Antonio Griezmann’s Handshake During Barcelona’s Clash Against Arsenal (Watch Video).

According to Spanish newspaper Diario AS, Firpo had put out a series of tweets in 2012 insulting the current Barcelona captain and also threatening to break his legs. The Spanish U-21 international was 15-year-old when he tweeted calling Messi “son of a b***h” and also wishing for the Argentine to die and stop scoring goals. Reports also claimed that Firpo had tweeted "I do not give a cr** that sh**** rat Messi got injured. I hope he dies and stops scoring goals hahaha."

Firpo was also asked a question on the same matter to he replied saying that he has issued an apology over the tweets and has been a warm welcome on joining the Blaugrana club. The centre-back, who also can play as a left-back and a winger, said those tweets were made to tease his friend – a Barcelona and a Messi fan.

“It turns out that my best friend at the time was from Barça and therefore he was also a Messi fan because Leo is the best without discussion. And I told him to say ugly things about Messi on Twitter. That's it, kids stuff. Also from that time, there has been a tweet of mine that said some silly Julia, who was then my girlfriend and now is my wife and mother of my daughter,” Firpo told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

"They are things that are done with 15 years when nobody knows you and when you cannot think that this will have an impact years later, because when you put it on or imagine that you will become a professional. But I also say that if for those tweets someone has felt offended and I have to apologize and apologize, I do it humbly and without problems.

"They are things that are done with 15 years when nobody knows you and when you cannot think that this will have an impact years later, because when you put it on or imagine that you will become a professional. But I also say that if for those tweets someone has felt offended and I have to apologize and apologize, I do it humbly and without problems,” added the new Barcelona signing.

Firpo was signed by Barcelona from Betis on an €18m deal that could rise to €27m with add-ons. The defending La Liga champions have also included a €200m release clause in his contract. Firpo will play as an understudy to Jordi Alba and is seen as a long-term replacement for the Star left-back.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2019 08:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).