Categorías: ESPN

Messi on World Cup win: After struggles in Argentina, fans love me

Almost one year after Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy for Argentina in Qatar, the Inter Miami CF star revisited the complicated path to the title and expressed his satisfaction at turning criticism into praise in his country.

In an interview for the «Champions, a Year Later» special on Disney Star+, Messi said one of his top triumphs from winning the World Cup and Copa América with Argentina is having the «beautiful feeling» of being loved by «95% or 100% of Argentines.»

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

«I had a bad time. My family and the people who love me did too. [Critics in Argentina] were very unfair to a generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. I’m not spiteful,» Messi said.

«I feel it like a triumph for me to have changed that situation and won over all the people of Argentina. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that’s a beautiful feeling.»

Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005, but his first title in a major tournament came in 2021 after beating Brazil in the Copa América final. In between came some heartbreaking defeats, including ones at the 2011 and 2016 Copa América tournaments and a shocking round-of-16 loss to France at the 2018 World Cup. In the 18 months after winning the Copa América, he led the Albiceleste to the Finalissima trophy at Wembley Stadium in London and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Messi said he was fortunate to be so beloved at Barcelona and it was his biggest dream to win the World Cup.

«It is the thing most everyone desires. Everyone dreams big and the biggest is to be world champion with your national team. I was lucky to achieve everything at the club level with Barcelona and also at the individual level. This was the only thing that eluded me. There are very few players who can say that they have achieved everything and thanks to God I am one of them,» Messi said.

«If you put in the effort, sacrifice, work and humility, in the end, you achieve your goals,» he added. «The road can be hard, but you have to keep fighting for your dreams to try to achieve them. I always loved playing football, coming to the national team and being on the field, but I never enjoyed it like today.»

Fuente

Facebook Comments Box
BavaroMagazine

Entradas recientes

Las deportistas ganan más cada vez, pero muy lejos de los hombres – El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana)

EL NUEVO DIARIO, MADRID.- Las deportistas profesionales ganan cada vez más dinero, como demuestran sus…

6 horas hace

Luis García sugiere el «overruling» para abordar caso de la sentencia TC/0788/24 – El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana)

Luis García. (Foto: Fuente externa) EL NUEVO DIARIO, SANTO DOMINGO.- El comunicador Luis García, quien es…

14 horas hace

«arraiján, bejuco jaquimei y palitos secos» protagonizan la Navidad – El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana)

Los charamicos son recursos de la naturaleza convertidos en artesanías navideña que aportan alegría y…

22 horas hace

Infotur Dominicano » Visitantes al Sistema de Áreas Protegidas de Rep. Dominicana enero -octubre del 2024, se situaron sobre 1.7 millones

El Sistema de Áreas Protegidas de la República Dominicana recibieron entre los meses de enero…

1 día hace

Jose Mourinho plans no time off for quick minor operation

Dec 23, 2024, 05:07 AM ETJose Mourinho has told fans he is well after reports…

2 días hace

Geopolítica, en el centro de la arremetida de Trump contra el canal de Panamá – El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana)

Donald Trump . Foto/fuente externa Por Giovanna Ferullo Mena EL NUEVO DIARIO, CIUDAD DE PANAMÁ.…

2 días hace