I was born this way because God chose me – Lionel Messi

Argentina’s star Lionel Messi feels he was born with talent and he has always tried to make the most of it. The World Cup winner recalled how he fell in love with the game and always wanted to kick a football when he was a young boy.

Messi is currently playing for the national team at the Copa América in the United States. Argentina registered a 2-0 win against Canada in their opening game of the tournament after Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored for La Albiceleste.

“It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me,” Messi told Argentina podcaster Juan Pablo Varsky.

“It was a gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it, I did everything possible to squeeze the most out of it. The truth is, although I did many things, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little.”

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth team when he was only 13 and admitted he wasn’t aware of his special talent.

“From what was being said, I was always different,” the 2022 World Cup winner said. “People came to watch me. I didn’t realise it, but I began to understand that as I grew older. I don’t really know the moment when I realised it.

“When I was 3 or 4 years old, I was not aware of the World Cup and all the titles that were being played. I simply played because I loved the ball … it was my hobby. I spent all the time kicking [the ball] and looking for someone to play with. I was born with it. I loved soccer, like most Argentines, from a very young age. I always tried to have fun, like I did from day one.”

Messi has had a glorious career at the top level but he feels some losses have also helped him grow as a footballer.

“I don’t like to relive them or review them, but in the long run it helps and makes you grow,” Messi said of his previous defeats.

Messi lost three straight finals with Argentina before lifting Copa America in 2021. The talisman admitted the 2016 loss in the Copa America final against Chile on penalties was the most painful.

“Without a doubt it was [most painful] because it was already the third final defeat in a row,” Messi said.