Football fans around the world are probably familiar with the name Lionel Messi, also known affectionately as Leo or El Pulga. One of the greatest players in modern football, a true genius and has had an illustrious career. A recent interview with coach Pep Guardiola also revealed the heart and vision of this player.
Overcoming Colombia, Argentina successfully defended the Copa America championship. This is the fourth title that Lionel Scaloni and his team have won since 2021 (2 Copa America – 2021, 2024, 1 World Cup championship in 2022, and 1 Intercontinental Super Cup in 2022).
On the day Argentina continued to be at the top of South American football, Messi made history in world football. According to statistics, El Pulga has won 45 major and minor trophies in his career at both club and international level.
Messi won the Copa America 2024 with Argentina – Photo: Getty
With the above title, El Pulga will have a great chance in the race for the 2024 Golden Ball. However, coach Pep Guardiola does not think this is the goal that his former student is aiming for. The Spanish strategist affirmed that Messi has never been too interested in individual titles.
The Man City captain said about his former outstanding student: “I have never seen Messi play to win the Ballon d’Or or any other noble individual award. He plays for the love of football and to help his team win titles, because Messi is a great talent.
Messi probably doesn’t care about the Ballon d’Or anymore. I think he might not even show up to the award ceremony even if he was nominated. Now we have to enjoy it and hope that Messi plays for a long time, not talk about individual awards. Messi has passed that stage for a long, long time.”
Coach Pep Guardiola affirmed that Lionel Messi has never been too concerned about winning individual awards in his career.
After a series of awards, fans still see a simple Messi, always happy, “burning” himself out every time he is on the field. He is considered a Saint, the greatest legend of world football of all time. That’s right, Messi deserves to receive all the most transcendent things that people give him. And from now on, Messi is no longer just a player. He is an angel.
Returning to Paris after defeating France in the 2022 World Cup final, Messi was even discriminated against, hated, and cursed at every touch of the ball. But that man still played his best until the last minute, even though everyone realized that Messi played with heaviness and discomfort.
When leaving PSG, Messi, as usual, regained his emotions with the ball. That emotion was even more intense when he played in the United States, where a few years ago, Messi seemed to have determined that this was the end of his divine journey.
Unable to return to Barca, Messi rejected Saudi Arabia, which was willing to pay him a billion euros a year. That unimaginable amount could not buy Messi, because after 2 years at PSG, Messi understood that his mission was no longer to make money. And Messi’s journey back to his true stature, power and global influence.
The story of Messi coming to Inter Miami would only be a laughing stock. But it finally happened. Messi is said to have promised Beckham he would come here and he did so.
No, not just playing, but Messi is also the messenger of a new level of football belief in the non-football-loving United States. The MLS has invited many superstars to play, from Pele, Beckanbeuer… to Beckham himself. Beckham is even a pioneer, opening a new era for American football.
But Messi is at an even higher level. When Beckham came to America to play for LA Galaxy, in just 2 weeks, the number of Beckham shirts sold by the club was enough to cover the LA Galaxy stadium 12 times. Beckham’s presence created a media storm, raising the stature of American football to a new level.
At 36, the world doesn’t have much time left to admire Messi. And Messi’s mission is now different. To elevate American football, to change the views and prejudices of Americans about football.
Creating maximum media attraction, world attention. And more importantly, Messi has removed all pressure to play the most magical football possible, the purest possible, without being entangled in achievements, the scary expectations of top football.
As for the national team, he always participates when he has the opportunity. Not to strive or try for personal goals. But above all, the legendary Messi wants to conquer new awards and new heights with his teammates. Because he understands his role and mission. He has always tried to do it in the best way.
