Lionel Messi did it once more: on Monday he picked up his eighth Ballon d’Or. After being proclaimed as soon as once more one of the best participant on the planet, the Argentine footballer gave an interview to France Soccer wherein he critiques his profession, the current World Cup gained with Argentina and his relationship with Barcelona.
Beginning together with his previous in Spain, Messi referred to the membership that was his residence for a few years, Barcelona, and spoke in regards to the rumors of his return to the membership after leaving PSG: “I might have returned to Barcelona, but it surely did not occur. My first thought was at all times to return residence, to have the ability to play at Barcelona once more and retire there as I had at all times dreamed. However it wasn’t potential.”
Regardless of this, the Argentinean has fond recollections of Barcelona and confesses that he continues to “watch the video games” of the crew coached by Xavi, Leo’s former teammate and pal: “I feel the crew has advanced nicely since Xavi’s arrival, with a mixture of younger gamers of wonderful stage and skilled gamers like Lewandowski and Kounde”.
Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or 2023 award in entrance of Kylian Mbapp and Erling Haaland
The one participant who comes near him in particular person awards is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has gained the Ballon d’Or 5 instances: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The 2 maintained for years a wrestle for the conquest. Exactly, the Argentine referred to that duel: “It was an excellent battle on a sporting stage. We feed off one another’s rivalry, as a result of we’re each nice rivals. He additionally at all times wished to win every little thing, on a regular basis. It was a really good second for each of us and for everybody who loves soccer. I feel we deserve lots of credit score for with the ability to keep on the high for thus lengthy. It is extraordinarily tough to remain on the high for ten or fifteen years.”
Powerful instances with the Albiceleste
Messi was proud in the course of the interview for his document and all of the trophies gained all through his profession, nevertheless not successful something with the nationwide crew for a few years (till the Copa America in 2021) “was like having a thorn in my aspect,” confessed the Argentine.
After dropping three consecutive finals together with his nationwide crew (World Cup 2014, Copa America 2015 and 2016) and the elimination in opposition to France in 2018, Messi confessed to having misplaced hope: “I even determined to retire from the nationwide crew at one level, after the defeat within the ultimate of the 2016 Copa America in opposition to Chile. I went by a really, very tough second. As a result of past that disappointment, this era didn’t need to be handled the best way it was. I feel we must always have valued the truth that we reached the ultimate of the Copa America and the World Cup twice. However, at the moment, the one factor that mattered to folks was successful. I feel the criticism we acquired was exaggerated.”
Qatar World Cup and controversies
Concerning the Qatar World Cup gained by his nationwide crew, Messi reviewed the Albiceleste’s trajectory earlier than lifting the trophy and all of the controversy that arose. “Within the days main as much as the match in opposition to the Netherlands, the Dutch began to make statements and dig us out somewhat bit. There have been some unusual conditions within the recreation, with some gamers behaving in a manner that was not truthful play, particularly in the course of the penalty shootout. After that recreation, they wished Argentina to seem like the villain of the story, however lots of issues occurred that evening,” Leo identified.
Concerning his well-known “What are you , you idiot?” after the match in opposition to the Netherlands, the Argentine star admitted that he doesn’t prefer to see himself like that and that “it was incorrect, however these are tense moments and it will probably occur”.
Messi additionally recalled the powerful ultimate in opposition to France wherein they seemed like winners, however the French crew’s comeback led them to resolve the trophy on penalties. “It is a disgrace, as a result of although we had been topped world champions in the long run, we deserved to be world champions on the finish of regulation time,” Leo acknowledged.
On the ecstasy after the ultimate penalty scored by teammate Montiel, Messi emotionally defined, “A thousand issues went by my head. It was vital for me to ship a sign to my household who had been within the stands, to have the ability to share it with them. I advised them, ‘That is it, that is it!’ after ready so lengthy for this second. I have been combating for this dream my entire life.”
Future and finish of his profession
On the rumor of a potential mortgage to Barcelona now that MLS is over, Messi flatly denied it: “No, by no means. Now that I’ve taken a step ahead by coming right here to america, I do not suppose I am going to ever play in Europe once more. In fact I’ll miss enjoying Champions League or LaLiga for the remainder of my life, video games with a particular taste. However I loved it as a lot as I might, so I’ve no frustration.”
Concerning his future and the time he has left enjoying soccer, Messi was clear: “I’ve at all times mentioned that I do not take into consideration the longer term, that I’m going day-to-day. I really feel good bodily. I do not understand how for much longer I’ll play. I wish to proceed till I really feel that I am unable to do it anymore, that my bodily situation would not permit me to play as I wish to. Time will inform.”
He was not significantly optimistic about his presence on the 2026 World Cup, though he doesn’t shut the door: “Realizing how outdated I shall be then (39 years outdated), it appears tough, however we’ll see how I really feel bodily.”
Lastly, Leo spoke about his future when he leaves skilled soccer: “As soon as my soccer profession is over, we’ll return to Barcelona. It’s our residence, the place we’ve got our habits, our mates. Whether or not it is my spouse, my kids or me. However I do not know what I’ll do in the intervening time. I have not thought of it but and I do not wish to.”
