Lionel Messi has broken the hearts of millions of fans in his latest interview in China. Messi is currently in Beijing with the Argentina national team for the upcoming friendly match against Australia. Following the match against the Socceroos on Thursday, June 15, Argentina will travel to Indonesia for their next match. Although it has been reported that Messi will be available for only the first match and not the second.
Lionel Messi recently appeared in an interview with the Chinese media outlet Titan Sports. Messi spoke at length about various subjects, including the 2026 World Cup. As per the reports, Messi has ruled out his participation in the next World Cup. He said, “As I said earlier, I don’t think I will participate in the next World Cup. I haven’t changed my mind about that. I’d like to be there to watch it, but I’m not going to participate.”
🚨 Leo Messi: “As I said earlier, I don’t think I will participate in the next World Cup. I haven’t changed my mind about that. I’d like to be there to watch it, but I’m not going to participate.” 🗣️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/pHaEdtYmoK
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 13, 2023
Messi further talked about how grateful he was for winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar last year. He said, “After I achieved the World Cup that I was missing, I am satisfied and grateful for the career I have made, and this is what is most important to me.” The World Cup was the last piece of the puzzle in Messi’s career, having won everything in his club career.
Leo Messi: “After I achieved the World Cup that I was missing, I am satisfied and grateful for the career I have made, and this is what is most important to me.” 🗣️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/b9ZxNZ1Q4H
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 13, 2023
Although Lionel Messi has given no hints about his retirement yet, the Argentine star announced his departure from European soccer last week, with his move to Inter Miami. Messi will also probably participate in the upcoming Copa America 2024 which will be held in the USA. Messi and Argentina will be defending their title having won the Copa America in 2021, defeating Brazil in the final.
Lionel Messi is not interested in winning the Ballon d’Or anymore
During the interview, Lionel Messi also talked about the Ballon d’Or award, whose winner will be announced later this year. As the 2022-23 season ended, Lionel Messi is among the favorites to win the award. Other probable candidates include Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Kevin De Bruyne. For Messi, it could be yet another record-breaking moment if he wins the award this year.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Leo Messi is expected to win the Ballon D’Or [@GuillemBalague]#LM8 pic.twitter.com/Wg8tTIgRso
— PREMIUMERZA ⭐⭐⭐ (@PREMIUMERZA) June 8, 2023
Lionel Messi is the record winner of the Ballon d’Or, having won it seven times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021). Messi, with 62 goal contributions and the World Cup in his bag, is in pole position to win his eighth Ballon d’Or. However, when asked about his thoughts on the award in the interview, the former PSG star replied that he isn’t interested in winning it anymore.
Messi said, “Does Ballon d’Or matter to me? No, at this stage in my life, it is no longer important to me. I’ve always said, that individual prizes are not what matters to me, but the collective ones are the most important to me. The most important prize at the moment is the World Cup. This is the greatest prize for me.”
Leo Messi: “Does Ballon d’Or matters to me? No, at this stage in my life, it is no longer important to me. I’ve always said, the individual prizes are not what matters to me, but the collective ones are the most important to me. The most important prize at the moment is the World… pic.twitter.com/aiHIAY6QXR
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 13, 2023
Messi has often stated that he always prefers collective awards over individual accolades. He once even famously said that he would swap all of his Ballon d’Ors without any thought for the prestigious World Cup trophy. Moreover, after recently winning the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for the second time in his career, Messi reiterated how he gives more value to collective awards.
