Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina, spoke on the YouTube channel “Dispuestos a Todo” ahead of his participation in the Copa America.
Messi recounted that the most painful elimination for him was in the 2011 Copa America, hosted in his own country, where Argentina lost 4-5 on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
“I remember during the 2011 Copa America in Santa Fe, I was insulted in every possible way. It was tough for me and for the whole national team,” Messi admitted.
In another revelation, Messi mentioned that he has been sleeping alone in Argentine national team training camps since Sergio Kun Agüero retired from football.
When asked about the player he has most often clashed with on the field, Messi didn’t hesitate to name Sergio Ramos, the former Real Madrid player. “With Ramos, we had many clashes. He’s the player I’ve argued with the most. Later, we were teammates (at PSG), but in El Clásico matches, we always clashed. Those matches were intense.”
Regarding his Albiceleste teammates, Messi said, “Otamendi is the best-dressed in the national team, Di María makes the best mate drinks, and De Paul is the messiest.” Messi also admitted that he doesn’t know his country as well as he would like and that after retiring from football, he would like to travel and visit places like Iguazu Falls.
“It’s something Antonela and I always talk about; we want to visit there. I want to be able to see it; our country has wonderful places. Many people talk to me about places I don’t know, like the falls, a typical place for us. I would like to go. She went there with the children.”
Regarding his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi revealed they have known each other since they were young because he played in the youth teams of Newell’s Old Boys with her cousin Lucas.
“We met when we were very young, I used to go to her house. I always loved her. At the time, we were called ‘amigovios’. Then, at the age of 13, I went to Spain and we lost touch a bit. Communication was much harder than it is today. It was letters, emails, or a few phone calls, as international calls were expensive,” Messi said.
He also spoke about his progress in English since playing for Inter Miami in MLS. “Truthfully, I understand everything or almost everything. Little by little, I’m starting to speak. I’m relaxing and encouraging myself to speak.”
Among his favorite dishes, the Argentine star didn’t hesitate to say that asados (barbecues) are his favorite. “We always do them at home, during family barbecues. I like hosting people and I really enjoy desserts, a good ice cream after the meat.”
He also revealed that he loves summer. “I struggle with the cold,” he added. Being with his family in Rosario is “sacred” to him. As for other sports he enjoys besides football, he said, “I’m not good at padel but I like it. I also like tennis, but I don’t know how to play. With Antonela, we took a few lessons, but we didn’t continue.”
Leave a Reply