When discussing his football skill, Lionel Messi claimed he was “chosen by God” and added that he has made an effort to maximize it.
Messi, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, is representing Argentina in the Copa América in the US.
“It’s obvious to me that God selected me for this,” Messi said to Argentina podcast host Juan Pablo Varsky.
“He handed it to me as a gift. I made every effort to maximize its potential and attempted to take use of it. The fact is that even if I accomplished a lot, I didn’t do anything to develop into the player I was at an early age.”
Messi, who joined Barcelona’s youth team at the age of 13 after starting his playing career at local side Newell’s Old Boys, acknowledges that he was unaware of how exceptional he was.
The 2022 World Cup winner claimed, “I was always different from what was being said.” “People came to see me perform. As I became older, I started to realize that even if I hadn’t realized it before. I’m not sure exactly when it dawned on me.
“I was unaware of the World Cup and all the titles that were being played when I was three or four years old. I only played because it was my pleasure and I enjoyed the ball. I looked for someone to play with and kicked the ball all day long. I have it from birth. Like other Argentines, I was a huge soccer fan from an early age. Like I did from the beginning, I constantly attempted to have fun.”
Messi, the most decorated football player of all time, helped Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup in August, earning him his 44th title.
He holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or victories.
Messi claimed that despite all of his accomplishments and titles, he has also learned a lot from failures.
After losing three straight Copa América finals with Argentina, the former Paris Saint-Germain player won the trophy in 2021 after defeating fierce rivals Brazil in the Maracanã Stadium title match.
Regarding his past setbacks, Messi remarked, “I don’t like to relive them or review them, but in the long run it helps and makes you grow.”
Messi never suffered a more agonizing defeat than the 4-1 loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa América on penalties.
Messi resigned from international duty for a limited period of time due to pressure.
“Without a doubt it was [most painful] because it was already the third final defeat in a row,” stated Messi.
“We had played a really good Copa América, faring better than the others to reach the final.
“In the final against Chile, although we did not have many clear chances, we were also superior in terms of play and we lost again on penalties.”
In their Group A match on Tuesday, Messi and Argentina will play Chile, but manager Lionel Scaloni stated that his team has no intention of exacting retribution for their loss.
“Leo’s presence is what matters most. We are currently enjoying a pleasant period; the past is behind us,” Scaloni remarked. “The present is important.”
Scaloni went on, “Messi is fantastic. After the game, he has exercised daily and is ready to play against Chile tomorrow.”
Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 to start their title defense.
