Before playing his last World Cup with the Albiceleste, Lionel Messi took the time to take stock of his career on the show Universo Valdano. After discussing his relationship with Luis Enrique and the passage of Pep Guardiola at Barça, the Pulga returned to his debut at FC Barcelona, and also mentioned the criticism he had been subject to with Argentina.
On the Copa America victory over Brazil
“It’s not easy to play in the finals, we were criticized following the defeats in the finals of the World Cup, of the Copa. It felt good to finally win. If we had not won against Brazil, the negative dynamic would have continued. There, everything changed. In Argentina, if you are second, it is a failure.”
On the criticisms he suffered in selection
“In Argentina, part of the people questioned me, even if I didn’t do anything wrong.”
On his arrival in Barcelona
I was in Barcelona for 15 days to do tests. On the last day, as I was about to leave, Rexach told everyone I had to stay.
On his dream of moving to Barça
“I remember once my father told me that it was okay if I wanted to go back to Argentina. I refused, I had passed the most difficult part, I wanted to succeed in Barcelona .”
The match clicked at the start of his career in Catalonia
“Before Gamper 2005, there had been friendlies in Asia but I didn’t have my place. In that match, everything changed, even the image the club had of me.”
Its integration into a star locker room
“Ronaldinho, Xavi, Andres, Puyol, Deco, Motta… they all adopted me as one more in the dressing room.”
How he lives his fame
“Sometimes I wish I wasn’t me because I don’t like attracting attention, being watched all the time but now I’m used to it.”
to summarize
Before playing his last World Cup with the Albiceleste, Lionel Messi took the time to take stock of his career on the show Universo Valdano. After discussing his relationship with Luis Enrique and the passage of Pep Guardiola at Barça, the Pulga returned to his debut at FC Barcelona, and also mentioned the criticism he had suffered with Argentina.
