Lionel Messi gave an exclusive interview to journalist Pollo Alvarez, discussing various interesting topics including Argentina, the World Cup, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The interview Q&A is as follows:
It has been two years since our last interview. Are you satisfied with your club?
Messi: Yes, definitely. Everything is going very well for us. To be honest, we are extremely happy at the club, in our daily lives, and spending time with our families. We couldn't be happier.
On the Club's Progress
Messi: Indeed, when we arrived, the club was still in its early stages. It needed many changes and growth to become a true football club. And we gradually achieved that. Everyone at the club has always been cooperative and eager to do well. Over time, we have achieved results not only on the competitive level but also institutionally. When you are growing, you always want more—signing players to compete and win—but sometimes football doesn't work that way. Football depends on many circumstances, many moments; sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.
Advice for Young Players
Messi: I don't really like giving advice. I think they should live their own stories. People naturally adapt, go through setbacks, and understand things. This is part of growing as a person, as a competitor, and in one's professional career. It's a necessary lesson in life one must experience, learn, and prepare for many things.
When you are in the public eye, both good and bad things come at you from all directions, especially during difficult times. It's important to have support, to have close people—especially family and your inner circle. That's the strength that gets you through tough times. Because it's easy during good times; many people gather around you. But what matters is knowing who stays by your side during adversity.
On Argentina's World Cup Title Prospects
Messi: To be honest, we are in good form. Although many young players are currently experiencing injuries or lack of match rhythm for one reason or another, the truth is that when this group comes together, it has proven to be a competitive team that always wants to win, gives its all, and does everything possible to achieve its goals. However, well, this is the World Cup. We know it's always complicated because there are so many possibilities.
There are other strong title contenders ahead of us that are in better form both as teams and at the national team level. But this Argentina team will always compete and give its all, just as it has since this group came together.
On World Cup Favorites
Messi: Well, I think France is in excellent form right now. They have so many high-level players. I think Spain, Brazil—although Brazil hasn't been at its best for a while, I believe Brazil will always be a candidate. They have players who can compete in all official tournaments.
Then we always mention the same teams, right? Germany, England—those traditional powerhouses, right? And Portugal, which has a very competitive and excellent team. Then there will always be a dark horse... I hope it doesn't come our way, you know, not a rampaging opponent coming for us. Yes, but you know, unexpected things always happen at the World Cup, or things you can't imagine at first. But I tell you, there are many very high-level teams.
Will Neymar Go to the World Cup?
Messi: Neymar must go to the World Cup. But I can't be objective about this, can I? Neymar is my friend, and of course I want him at the World Cup, I want all good things to happen to him because he deserves it. Not only because he is such a talented player, but also because of the person he is.
I hope he can be at the World Cup. We all want the best players to be there, and Neymar will always be one of them regardless of his form. It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup—because of what he means to Brazil and to football. I hope he can go. But as I said, I can't be objective.
On Neymar's Personality
Messi: Yes, he has a very special charm and is not pretentious. He lives authentically, expresses his feelings and thoughts, and doesn't care about others' reactions. He just lives, is happy, very natural.
WhatsApp Group with Suárez and Neymar
Messi: It doesn't seem active anymore. We haven't spoken in a long time, just occasional greetings, only chatting when there's something strange or special happening. Then I also went to Paris, and we contacted each other every day back then, but time passed. It's not very active now. I have to be honest, I think the group is still there, it should still be there. But we chat occasionally; we have a friendship spanning many years.
How to Maintain Hunger for Achievements?
Messi: Because this is my way, because I love what I do. First of all, I love playing football and will keep playing until I can't anymore. Second, I'm very competitive. I love winning, love winning everything. I've said many times that I don't let my sons win when we play games on purpose, though I do let them win a little sometimes.
They already have a lot of match experience and are still young.
Additionally, it has been proven that many young players have emerged during this period, coming from the youth academy, full of desire and energy. But I tell you, when this World Cup cycle ends and another begins, a large and solid team will remain, with the vast majority of players continuing to stay.
On Scaloni's Future
Messi: It depends on what he wants. Maybe he wants to try new challenges, to experience daily coaching at a club, because he started directly with the national team, maybe he wants to try something else. I don't know, I'm just guessing.
Based on my experience and what I've seen, he is clearly the most suitable person to stay, as long as he wants to. And it will be difficult for his successor, right? Argentines have high expectations. The successor will be expected to "win the World Cup, win the Copa América." That's impossible.
To be honest, after this group has achieved so much, who has the courage or who is willing to take on this responsibility, this desire? But someone has to take over, right? Someone always has to. But it won't be easy. Especially not easy for us, because we are a demanding country that only wants results, often impatient, and wants to completely overhaul things at the slightest setback.
I think we will have to go through a renewal process when the new coach comes, assuming that happens, and I hope this process won't be too long.
At 38, Approaching 40—Do You Feel a Crisis?
Messi: To be honest, no. 40 is just a number. As long as I can do what I love, feel capable and physically well, age is the same to me. And I don't care about it.
On Being Constantly Compared with Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi: This is normal in football. He was at Real Madrid, I was at Barcelona—classic old rivals. We both played for our respective teams competing for championships and honors, and the football world always likes to compare and compete, choosing one or the other.
This naturally arises from the football environment, just like with clubs and national teams, always within the realm of sports. Just like now people also compare current players, preferring one more than the other, people choose who they like. Later, many important achievements were made on both his side and mine, making this competition even more intense.
You Have Always Appeared Friendly in Public, Keeping Competition on the Pitch
Messi: Yes, we always said that. We never had a real personal relationship because we rarely met—only at matches or award ceremonies. Back then, we were always competing to see if he would win or I would win. But we always had a good relationship.
Now we are far apart from each other, in different stages of life. But in the end, it's within the realm of sports. I think that was a great chapter that people really enjoyed, and I think it was a truly remarkable competition.
Feeling the Love of the Argentine People
Messi: I've always said that receiving love from all over the world is very special because I play football all over the world, both with the national team and clubs. At Barcelona or Paris, I always received very special affection. With the Argentina national team too, although many people questioned me at first, there were also many who always supported me.
Indeed, after winning the Copa América, almost the entire country supported me. Not to mention after the World Cup. But receiving love from my people, my country, makes it even more special. To be honest, I still think it's wonderful to this day, especially when I see children or the elderly. But after becoming a father, I see things differently. When I see a child, I think of my own children, so this brings me different feelings. But receiving love from my country, my land, is indeed more special.
Playing the "Choose Messi's Peak Period" Game
Messi: First place is Qatar 2022, I have to choose that. Because I won the World Cup—that's the greatest achievement. How could I not choose it? It's Qatar, no other choice. But I'm not sure if that was my peak.
Let De Paul rank them, okay, I'll listen to De Paul!