Barcelona forward Lionel Messi could open a museum with the number of trophies he has won in his career to this point, including five Ballon d'Ors and five Golden Boots, but to him, family is more important than all of that.
The Argentine spoke exclusively to MARCA and discussed family, Cristiano Ronaldo and finishing fifth in the Ballon d'Or voting this year; here are some snippets of what was said.
"I love football, but family is above everything," said Messi with regard to his outlook on life, before touching on more specific subjects.
"The rivalry with Cristiano was very healthy and very beautiful for the spectators," he said about the competition with the Portuguese.
"I heard the nominees for the Ballon d'Or and I knew I would not be in the fight," he said about finishing fifth, with Luka Modric winning the award.
In addition, Messi discussed Pep Guardiola, Ousmane Dembele, Neymar, Andres Iniesta, La Masia and the thinking at Barcelona, as well as other topics in the interview.
RealMd13
331
Messi: The rivalry with Ronaldo was very healthy and beautiful π½ Me: In history of the beautiful game there would simply not be someone like Lionel andres Messi continues to built on his legacy as not just one of the all time greats Futboller β½οΈ but as the greatest and most gifted player the world as ever seen this record breaking phenomenon he is an artistic genius dribbler ball controller architecture creator playmaker and an Lethal goal scorer and so he is above everyone else playing the game of futbol today and Leo messi to me is a miracle from god to futbol fans a player amongst the jungle of world class players of today and yesterday he stands alone on so many Levels as in the jungle there is one only KINg a LIOn.. a LIONEL π¦
Zihamorys
183
Messi my man, keep the spirit Kingπ
Rohingya94
160
YES π
saailhussain
149
Well said by the GOAT. Messi And Ronaldo give most of their attention to their family. How can you hate any of thie GOAT? If you love one dos'ent mean you have to hate one. I respect both, Love one. Just sayingπ
Doybcikstz
129
Yes it's healthy but only the fans make it look unhealthy.
RealMd13
121
ππ why does Lionel Messi have a coach? πππππΎ
Nels-7
97
Decent, calm, responsible, humble, well-spoken and respectful. And though there are some who would have boasted and bragged about being the best and deserving this and that, his answers are strikingly humble and respectful. This doesn't make him an ordinary player but displays his maturity, wisdom and self-control which add to his greatness as a unique player. What a pity to see players miles behind boast and praise themselves when they have the mike! Such might be good and wonderful on the pitch but their egos are childishly too big which make them little men!
zeoabilmyz
94
Family above everything, and he's not mistaken, becalmed he lives for his family, fights , provides and cares for their welfare all the time .
dhan_dhan
84
I respect you MESSI ONE OF THE BEST I really like you a lot its true family comes first
Skullkrusher
65
This 2 picture show us a lot of things true dedication, true passion, sufferings to be the best. #GOATS
Victadrid
60
kindly take time to understand what he said. he said it was a beautiful rivalry for the spectators not for him please....
You look a little closer. For him to say it was a beautiful rivalry for the spectators, that means he actually concedes that a rivalry existed. Otherwise he would have just said it was something made up by the fans and media like he previously used to say
PRAJWAL01234
53
I learn a lot from him... His hard work,perfection,talent,honesty,loyality,truthfulness,humleness,kindness,skills,love....stays all above others.. He is truly G.O.A.T for me...πππ
whykallar
49
I agreed with Messi, family comes first and also having a beautiful and healthy rivalry with CR7 is really amazing, in life there will always be competition no matter what, cause it make you stronger to be more competitive, but the facts is, we spectators took it to another level, when the two best players of our generations not thinking as we considered it to be, these great players just love the game and want us to be entertained, they going to be the best and will rule the soccer's world until their times is over to retire with great honors, My question here to all Afers/@AFy is, WHO'S GOING TO RETIRE FIRST? πππ.. i won't mind if AF could post this question for votes and comments, i will really appreciate it.
k_yeboah-3
45
He always used to say he wasn't in any form of competition with CR7. How come all of a sudden he's talking about a beautiful rivalry with him?? Be original!
kindly take time to understand what he said. he said it was a beautiful rivalry for the spectators not for him please....
Longlife2000
31
Mateo and Thiago ππβ€οΈ
Victadrid
23
He always used to say he wasn't in any form of competition with CR7. How come all of a sudden he's talking about a beautiful rivalry with him?? Be original!
k_yeboah-3
22
You look a little closer. For him to say it was a beautiful rivalry for the spectators, that means he actually concedes that a rivalry existed. Otherwise he would have just said it was something made up by the fans and media like he previously used to say
there's no denying fact that rivalry existed. but this was fueled by we the fans just as we are doing now. now tell me, is there rivalry between neymar and mpabe...yes. but its not seen just because it is not a beautiful one to we the spectators but when it comes to Leo and CRo, it always stands out because we enjoy that due to how exceptional these guys have been.
boaabcdstu
9
He always used to say he wasn't in any form of competition with CR7. How come all of a sudden he's talking about a beautiful rivalry with him?? Be original!
pratikumarcr7
9
Hypocrisy is a deadly disease so cure.FAKE PLASTIC FAN GIRL
Luwalosuyz
8
He always used to say he wasn't in any form of competition with CR7. How come all of a sudden he's talking about a beautiful rivalry with him?? Be original!