‘God chose me’ – Lionel Messi admits his footballing superpowers are a ‘gift’
- Most decorated player in history
- Has broken countless records
- Assured of standing among greats
WHAT HAPPENED?
The World Cup winner could never have dreamt of scaling such heights when kicking a ball for the first time in his native Rosario. Even when leaving his homeland for Barcelona at the age of 13, a standing among the all-time greats will have felt out of reach.
WHAT MESSI SAID
Messi has, however, become an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player in history – with 44 trophies to his name – and has told Juan Pablo Varsky of reaching the very top of his chosen profession: “It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me. It was a gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it, I did everything possible to squeeze the most out of it. The truth is, although I did many things, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi’s potential was spotted early, in the youth system of Newell’s Old Boys, and he added on realising that he was different from many other starry-eyed hopefuls: “From what was being said, I was always different. People came to watch me. I didn’t realise it, but I began to understand that as I grew older. I don’t really know the moment when I realised it. When I was 3 or 4 years old, I was not aware of the World Cup and all the titles that were being played. I simply played because I loved the ball… it was my hobby. I spent all the time kicking [the ball] and looking for someone to play with. I was born with it. I loved soccer, like most Argentines, from a very young age. I always tried to have fun, like I did from day one.”
WHAT NEXT?
On the back of a record-shattering spell at Barcelona, Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain 2021. He is now on the books of MLS side Inter Miami – having been lured to the United States by Manchester United and England legend David Beckham – while another Copa America crown with Argentina is currently in his sights.
Goal
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