In an interview with the special program “Champions, a Year Later” on Disney Star+, Messi affirmed that the top victories of winning the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina brought “a great feeling” as it made “95% or even 100% of Argentines” loved him.
“I had a bad time. So are my family and those who love me,” Messi said. “Critics in Argentina are very unfair to this generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. But I don’t hate them at all. It feels like a victory to have changed that situation, and to win the hearts of all Argentines. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me, and that is a really great feeling!”
Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005, but his first title in a major tournament only came in 2021 when he defeated Brazil in the Copa America final. In between were a number of heartbreaking defeats, including losing in the 2011 and 2016 Copa America finals, and a shocking loss to France in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup. Particularly painful was the defeat in the World Cup final. 2014 against Germany. But within just 18 months since winning the Copa America, Messi has led the Albiceleste to the Finalissima “Intercontinental Super Cup” trophy at Wembley Stadium in London, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That victory also helped him increase his record by lifting the Golden Ball for the 8th time.
The 36-year-old superstar shared: “It’s what most people want. Everyone has the biggest dream of becoming a world champion with their national team. I was lucky to achieve everything at club level with Barcelona and also on a personal level. And then the World Cup was the only thing that I wanted to add to my career. There are very few players who can say they have achieved everything and thank God, at this point, I am one of them.”
Messi added: “If you make efforts, sacrifice, work and be humble, you will eventually achieve your goals. The road may be difficult, but you must keep fighting for your dreams and try to achieve them. I always liked playing football, going to the national team and being on the field, but I have never enjoyed playing football like I do today.”
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Lionel Messi does not rule out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026. |
Messi is not ruling out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026, despite admitting that time is against him. After moving to Inter Miami of MLS, which is a less competitive arena, Messi said the door is still open. “I’m not thinking about the World Cup and I’m not saying 100% that I won’t be there, because anything can happen over the next two years,” Messi said in an interview with Argentina’s Star+. In terms of age, I wouldn’t be there. It seems that after the 2022 World Cup, I retired, but on the contrary, now I want the next tournament more than ever. As long as I feel healthy and can continue to contribute, I will do it. But let’s wait and see.”
The Argentina captain said he is only focused on Copa America in June taking place in the US in the summer of 2024: “Today all I think about is participating in Copa America. Maybe we can still do well in the Copa America and everything will be fine for us to continue. But maybe not. The reality is that it’s very difficult. After that, time will tell whether I will be in the 6th World Cup or not.”
