"I did nothing to become the player I already was", "God chose me" - Lionel Messi makes honest admission about his footballing abilities
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi made an honest admission about his footballing abilities in a recent episode of the Clank! podcast with Argentine journalist Juan Pablo Varsky. The 37-year-old said that he did nothing to become the player that he was, the sensational footballing ability was just a 'gift' to him when he was born.
Messi is considered by many as the greatest footballer of all time. He has amassed an eye-watering 837 goals and 374 assists in 1065 career appearances (stats via messivsronaldo.app).
The Argentine is also one of the most decorated players of all time, winning 44 collective trophies for club and country. He won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles for Barcelona, the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, and many more domestic titles.
Individually, Messi has won the Ballon d'Or title a record eight times and FIFA's The Best Men's Player on four occasions. He won the FIFA World Cup's Golden Ball trophy in 2014 and 2022, and holds the record for the most prolific calendar year by any player (91 goals in 2012).
Speaking about his natural affinity towards the game, the Inter Miami forward said (via GOAL):
"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."
"People came to watch me" - Lionel Messi explains how his talent was spotted early on in Argentina
Legendary Argentine forward Lionel Messi claimed that his footballing potential was spotted very early on by his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario.
Speaking to Argentine journalist Juan Pablo Varsky on the Clank! podcast, Messi said that he didn't realize the extent of his talent as a youngster. He claimed that he was just playing for the love of the game, and always tried to have fun more than anything else.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said (via GOAL):
"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," the Argentine maestro added.
Messi is currently leading Argentina at the Copa America 2024 as they look to defend the title they won in 2021.