For years, Mateo Messi has held a special place in the hearts of fans, thanks to the delightful anecdotes and mischievous tales that offer a glimpse into the life of his legendary father, Lionel Messi.
In a 2019 interview with TyC Sport, Messi provided some endearing stories that shed light on how his middle child, Mateo, reigns supreme as the mischief-maker in the Messi household.
Messi recounted an amusing incident when he and Mateo were playing in the yard. Mateo boldly declared, “I am Liverpool and Valencia because they beat you.”
#MessiEnEF: “Mateo grita los goles del Real Madrid para hacerlo calentar a Thiago” 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/HdA9iB9l6K
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) June 5, 2019
This playful jab harks back to the 2018/19 season, during which Lionel Messi and Barcelona faced defeats in the UEFA Champions League Semifinal against Liverpool and the Copa del Rey final against Valencia. Clearly, these losses left an indelible mark on young Mateo.
The interview also revealed how Mateo ingeniously manages to rile up his elder brother, Thiago, during their El Clásico viewing sessions. Messi chuckled as he shared, “At home when Thiago and Mateo are watching football together, Mateo will celebrate Real Madrid goals to piss off his bro.”
Mateo’s lively and mischievous character has become a beloved fixture in behind-the-scenes videos and his appearances at the stadium during his father’s matches, adding a touch of charm and warmth to the Messi family’s public image.
Mateo Messi tackles his little brother in front of Inter Miami fans
Recently, Inter Miami fans were treated to an unexpected display of tackling prowess by Mateo Messi. Following Inter Miami’s MLS match against Nashville, Mateo, along with other children of the squad, took to the field for a friendly game of their own.
The video footage captured Mateo executing some robust tackles, showcasing his surprising physicality on the pitch. His tenacity and fearless approach to challenges would likely earn nods of approval from defensive stalwarts like Sergio Ramos.
Matteo Messi is an assassin 😭pic.twitter.com/kQzYTD5bwK
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) August 31, 2023
What adds a humorous twist to this tale is that among the other kids on the field, you can spot Mateo’s younger brother, Ciro Messi.
However, Mateo exhibited no sibling leniency, tackling his brother with gusto, much to the delight of Inter Messi fans who remained in the stands after the match.
Considering Mateo’s lineage as the son of one of the greatest dribblers in soccer history, Lionel Messi, one might naturally assume that he’d be an elite attacker.
However, the video evidence suggests a different path for young Mateo, hinting at the possibility of a future as a no-nonsense center-back, perhaps even donning the colors of Argentina.
