Lionel Messi, by virtue of being the best footballer in the world for over a decade (and there are quite a few who would say that already more than that), is one of the most intriguing figures in world sports. And somehow, in recent months Barcelona’s legendary number 10 has managed to “surpass itself” – and has become even more interesting. It all started with that long saga in the summer, at the end of which he reluctantly stayed at Barça, he claimed. And now that his future at “Life Club”, he says, is very vague – his contract expires this summer and he is allowed to negotiate with each team from January – everyone just wants to know what the star’s next move is going to be.
In an attempt to perhaps shed a little more light on the somewhat-complicated situation, Messi recently sat down for a comprehensive interview with Jordi Ebola, a reporter for the Spanish media “La Sexta”. Apart from his situation in Barcelona, the big star also spoke openly about things outside of football – such as, for example, the moment he left Argentina at the age of 13. In the last few days several teasers have been released from the interview – and tonight (Sunday) it was published in full. The main things of the flea are in front of you.
“Yes, I would send the same fax once more,” Messi referred to the famous saga of the summer, adding: “I will forever be grateful to this club. I love the club, love Barcelona. I feel I gave everything to the club – and everything the club gave me I gained “Honestly. I felt the need for change, I closed the circle. The children did not want to leave, but I felt it was the best thing for me.”
“Bartomeu misled me in many things. I prefer not to go into details, but there have been many lies over the years,” Messi said in a not-very-typical firmness. “I knew that if we went to court, I would win. Not one lawyer told me that, but many. But I did not want to leave that way.”
If so, what will be the next step in your career? “I will not negotiate with other clubs at this stage. I will wait for the end of the season and then I will make a decision,” the flea insisted, revealing: “I would like to play one day in the United States, but I do not know if it will work out. I can not say what I will do. “I myself do not know. Beyond Real Madrid or Atletico? No, it is impossible. If I leave, I would love it to be in the best way and later come back here and contribute to the club. Barcelona is bigger than any player.”
“Today I feel better,” Messi said, admitting: “It took me a while to start feeling good again. Psychologist? I should have gone to one, but it did not happen. Everyone advised me to go, and I know I should have gone to one – but it did not happen. “Now I am determined again and want to fight for all the degrees.” At the same time, the star said openly: “The club is in a difficult situation. It is difficult for everyone. It will be very difficult for us to get to the places we have been in years past.”
“Barcelona is my life,” Messi said at the beginning of his interview, perhaps trying to send a reassuring message to the many fans. “I have a love story with Barça, who gave me everything. I lived here more than in Argentina … I learned everything here. This club made me who I am, as a player and as a person.”
After these things, Messi went on to tell a little about his personal life – not something he usually does. “When was the last time I cried? I didn’t get to cry because of things related to sports, but I did suffer a lot. I cried because of other things, but I prefer not to go into details.”
“My arrival in Barcelona was a very difficult moment, because I was only 13 and I left everything behind. Friends, country … I arrived at a place where no one knew me,” recalls number 10. “In those days I was very shy, like stuck in a shell. I was thinking about how to make my dream come true. “
Messi also said a bit about the kids: “Tiago is shy, he doesn’t like the fact that everyone talks to him, but he gets used to everything. Matthew gets along much better. He likes the attention. Sometimes I would like to be less famous … especially when I’m with the kids “However, I will always be grateful because the love that everyone showers on me is spectacular.”
“Playing in front of an empty stadium is terrible. Everything is colder and more alienating. It makes every game much more egalitarian. It’s not the same to come to Camp Nou,” the star said of the days in the shadow of the Corona crisis and sent a sharp message. “No one seems to be thinking about the athletes here. This schedule stems from an economic interest and not from thinking about the sport.”
Messi, of course, was asked how he heard about Diego Maradona’s death. “I was at home and got a message from my dad. It was crazy, awful,” he recalled of the uneasy moments. A few days later, as I recall, Messi scored in Barça’s victory and dedicated the goal to Diego. “That day I knew I had to conquer and it was weird. When I was least looking for the gate, it suddenly came.”
