Messi Opens Up in Candid Chat with His Nephew
On Monday, before Argentina’s second training session in Atlanta ahead of their Copa América debut, captain Lionel Messi had a relaxed chat on his nephew Tomás Messi's YouTube channel 'Dispuestos a Todo.' Messi shared that the most painful elimination for him was the 2011 Copa América, hosted in Argentina, where they lost to Uruguay in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.
“I remember during the 2011 Copa América in Santa Fe, the crowd cursed at me and the whole team in every way. It was tough,” Messi confessed.
He also revealed that he has been sleeping alone during Argentina's training camps since Sergio 'Kun' Agüero retired.
Ramos, His Biggest Rival
When asked by the YouTubers about the player he argued with the most on the field, Messi did not hesitate to name former Real Madrid player Sergio Ramos. “Sergio Ramos and I fought a lot. He was the player I got most angry with. Later, we became teammates, but during the clásicos, we always clashed. The clásicos were intense.”
Talking about his Argentine teammates, Messi said: “Otamendi is the best dressed, Di María makes the best mates, and De Paul is the most disorganized.”
Messi also admitted that he doesn’t know his country as well as he’d like and that he plans to travel around Argentina after retiring, especially wanting to visit Iguazu Falls.
“I still need to explore more of Argentina because I never had the chance. It's something Antonela and I always talk about. We want to travel around. Our country has wonderful places. Many people tell me about places I’ve never been, like Iguazu Falls. I’d like to go. She went with the kids.”
Antonela, His Great Love
Messi spoke about his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, mother of his three children, and how they have known each other since they were kids because he played at Newell’s Old Boys with her cousin Lucas.
“We’ve known each other since we were very young. I used to go to her house. I always liked her. Back then, we called it 'amigovios.' Then at 13, I went to Spain, and we lost touch a bit. Communication was much harder than it is now. It was through letters, emails, or expensive international phone calls,” Messi recounted with a shy smile.
Messi also talked about his experience with English now that he plays for Inter Miami in the MLS. “I understand almost everything. I’m slowly starting to speak it. It’s about getting comfortable and daring to speak. Sometimes I don’t because of embarrassment or fear of making mistakes, but I think I’m getting there.”
Regarding his favorite foods, Messi didn’t hesitate to say that barbecues are his favorite. “We always have family barbecues at home. I like having people over and I really love desserts, especially a good ice cream after the meat.”
He also revealed that he loves summer. “I struggle with the cold,” he noted, and that being with his family in Rosario is "sacred."
When asked about other sports he likes besides soccer, he said: “I’m not good at paddle tennis. I enjoy playing it, but I just try to hit the ball, I chase everything, and I’m average. I like tennis, but I don’t know how to play. Antonela and I took a few classes, but we didn’t continue.”
