Leo Messi: “I would sometimes like to go unnoticed”

Leo messi achieved a milestone last Monday that we may not see again in football history. The Argentine star received his seventh Ballon d’Or, generating an unattainable barrier for any other player today. The PSG star has been sincere in an interview with France Football in which he has shown his most personal side after winning the seventh award given by the prestigious French magazine.

Modesty: “I come from a working-class family, my father worked all day and we lived in a fairly modest neighborhood. But we never lacked for anything, thank God. My parents instilled in me respect, particularly with others, work and life. humility. I grew up with these values. When I arrived in Barcelona when I was 13 years old, I found the same values ​​at La Masía. “

The reasons for rejecting Neymar’s 10 at PSG: “The 10th was for him. I came to a new team to help. It was an extraordinary gesture on his part. I expected it because I know Neymar. We spent time at Barcelona and we are friends. It seemed more fair that he kept the number 10. That is why I took one that I liked (30) “.

The image of seeing him lying on the barrier of a foul in the 2-0 against City: “At that time we had a need to do it. We were winning. Nobody was there to do it and since I was out there, I did it. Frankly, it was nothing. We all have to contribute something to get results.”

What does he think about being considered the best in history: “I never said that I am the best in history nor do I try to get that idea. For me to be considered one of the best in history is more than enough. It is something that I would never have imagined. It is something that does not interest me, it does not change anything. to be considered the best or not. And I never wanted to be. “

The hormonal deficit: “I remember that I spent two hours exams with my mother. When I saw that I had the problem, it did not shock me in particular. I do not know if it is because I was small or I did not know what it meant. Then they explained to me the treatment in which I had to give myself injections every day: one at night on one leg, the next day on the other. It never hurt me in being what I am now. I was able to continue my life as before. It did not compromise my career, because I was able to do everything I wanted to do. Obviously I had to continue the treatment. Once I started doing the treatment, it became part of my life. “

Leaving Rosario at 13: “I was following the treatment, but it was very expensive for my family … Newell’s told us that they would help us, but they did not give us money for the treatment. It was complicated … then the possibility of going to Barcelona appeared. I remember very well when we left, there were goodbyes in the neighborhood, it was a very hard moment, although it was what I wanted and it was in my head “.

The idea of ​​returning after not convincing at the beginning in Barcelona: “I never thought of going back, although it was not easy to adapt. I lived through a very difficult first year, it’s true. The first months, I couldn’t play because the papers for my transfer did not arrive (Newell’s had to send them). When I returned to play, I I injured my tibia and did not play for three months. My family separated because I experienced difficult moments. But I never probed to return to Argentina. On the contrary, the more time passed and the better I felt, the more convinced I was of my dream: to be a professional player “.

If it is a model for the rest: “I do not know if I am a model for the rest, I never liked being a model or giving advice. I fought for my dreams. At first it was to be a professional player, then I fought to improve myself and reach new goals every year. luckily. I think God chose for everything to come to me. “

Naturalness – Almunia’s goal after stinging the ball in 2011 (3-1): “It is difficult to imagine this goal on a day-to-day basis. It is not an action like the others that comes often. I train and try to improve every day, but these situations occur naturally. I have never changed my way of playing since I was little. Some gestures come spontaneously, depending on the circumstances. That day I felt that that was the way to score the goal “.

Shyness: “I am different with the people I trust, my friends, my family. It may be that with some people outside of these relationships I am more shy and it takes me more time to feel comfortable or it takes me longer. But with the people around me I am a normal person, in a good mood and who tries to enjoy every moment “.

The comparison with Maradona: “No, no. Honestly I have never compared myself to Diego, absolutely never. I never paid attention to those comparisons. Some criticisms bothered me in the past. I had bad times in the national team, really, but not for these reasons. They come to me often. things that annoy me about criticism, but they stay in the locker room. They should stay there, in private. It is intimacy that makes the group strong, in addition to the fact that we can get pissed off and tell each other things that can improve This can happen to me or to other players. “

If it’s easy to be Messi’s teammate: “You should ask the others (laughs). I don’t know if it’s easy or not… Those who know me know who I am, and those who don’t know me do it little by little. It may be that for young people it is more difficult regarding the image they have of me, but once they get to know me, they relax. “

Liberty: “In the game I have always had the freedom to move where I wanted, without respecting a position much. All the coaches I had gave me this freedom to move where I wanted and where I could do more damage to the opponent. Off the field of play “Absolute freedom is to spend time with my family, my wife, my children and enjoy them. I don’t know if I have felt the pressure in the years that I have played. Only the obligation to obtain results and to be precise.”

His goal with his head in 2009 against United: “It is a specific situation. At that time the situation developed like this. Xavi focused because he knew how tall he was and was able to put his head. He had seen me do it in training and we talked about it in the locker room. Neither he nor I We thought he could score with his head. It was a special goal, without, however, having sought it. It came naturally, it was extraordinary. “

Your current position: “I always try to move to find the spaces depending on each game. Even if I start on the right, I usually move inwards. Lately I go down to the base to try to generate plays, to generate numerical superiority so that the team controls possession. I feel good like that and I try to enjoy myself on the pitch. “

How long are you without talking to someone when you lose: “Now it is different. Since I have my children, when I get home it helps me a lot to put things in perspective. It is true that before them, when I was alone with Antonella, I spent a lot of time locked up without wanting to talk to anyone or go out for Guilt for the loss. When I was young, I grew up hating to lose. I always wanted to win in everything. I want to win every game. “

He did not go out to celebrate the 2006 Champions final for not playing: “I’m sorry I did. I didn’t realize what was happening. At the time I was thinking about not having played. At least I would have liked to be on the bench that night. Even my injury (tear against Chelsea in the round of 16 ), I participated in the Champions League journey. I was disappointed. I deeply regret that episode. We won that Champions League and I was not sure it would happen again because it is a difficult competition to win. Then, fortunately, I had the opportunity to enjoy it. “

Overtake Cristiano scoring more goals: “I always wanted to outdo myself and not look at what others were doing. With Cristiano we maintained the competition during the same championship for years. It has been wonderful and it has helped us to grow in our careers. But without looking at each other. I just wanted to surpass myself to be the best and not better than the other “.

Henry said he’s not human: “Titi is someone with whom I shared a dressing room and with whom I was able to win important titles. We had a good relationship for years and she always spoke well of me. It is amazing that someone like that says things like that about me. It is good to receive these compliments.”

If it is difficult to be Messi on a daily basis: “I’ve been Messi for 34 years, so I’m starting to get used to it. I’m happy with everything that happened, although sometimes I have to admit that I would like to go unnoticed, enjoy my family without people recognizing me. I don’t complain. On the contrary, it is always nice to receive a compliment, a smile or someone who asks me for a photo. I am used to it and for me it has become normal. So very good. “