Lionel Messi: 'I Want To Win The Champions League Again'
World Soccer|November 2019
After being presented with a record sixth ESM Golden Shoe, the Barcelona star sat down to talk frankly about his life and career.
Juan Ignacio Gallardo/ESM
Lionel Messi: 'I Want To Win The Champions League Again'

What did your children say to you when they were there and saw you win the award?

They were happy. The truth is that they were a little tired in the end because the gala was long. But they were very happy and were looking forward to [me] winning the award so that they could go up [on stage], be with me and enjoy it. It was a spectacular moment.

What did they say about the other players?

They know everyone and the truth is everyone likes them because they are passionate about football. They watch the matches of all the teams, not only those of Barcelona or Argentina. They were really freaked out looking at everyone because they knew them from the cards and from seeing them in matches. They were a little shy but enjoyed themselves.

Is Antonela still excited to see you up there?

Whenever I have to receive these awards and accolades she enjoys it very much. And this time it was special because the whole family was there ...well, almost everyone because Ciro was missing.

What do you admire most about Antonela?

The truth is that [I admire] everything. She has many good qualities: how she gets by on a daily basis, her personality, she is always in a good mood and she always faces up to problems in an admirable way. She is a very intelligent person who is great in all aspects of life.

How do you think your children will be when they grow up?

It is hard to say now. They are still very young. As they grow they will find their space with the things that they enjoy. It is very difficult to say today because life has lots of twists and turns.

When you look back, what do you feel about your career?

Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av World Soccer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av World Soccer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WORLD SOCCERSe alt
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024