Not many athletes get into people’s hearts like Lionel Messi has. Wherever you go, you will find fans of the Argentine star. Regardless of the country they were born in or club they support, most soccer fans have nothing but respect for Leo. Not only is he one of, if not the greatest player of all time, but he’s also a true example of a star that didn’t let fame go to his head.
His road to stardom, however, was full of sacrifices. And even when he established himself as a soccer superstar, his career had many ups and downs. But Messi always bounced back, so here we’ll bring you motivational quotes of the PSG star.
Widely regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time (the GOAT conversation revolves between him, Diego Maradona, Pelé, Johan Cruyff or Cristiano Ronaldo) Lionel Messi has won it all throughout his career: FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Copa America, Club World Cup, LaLiga, Ligue 1, Copa del Rey, and many other team titles.
The Argentine megastar also boasts the ultimate résumé when it comes to individual accolades: 8 Ballon d’Or awards, 2 World Cup Golden Ball, 1 The Best, 1 FIFA World Player of the Year, and more.
Leo Messi rose to prominence at FC Barcelona, whom he joined as a kid from Newell’s Old Boys. Messi made history at Barca, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals as well as their player with most appearances (778 games). He played alongside some of the best players in the modern era (Neymar, Ronaldinho, Xavi), but he always managed to stand out. After many successful years in Spain, Leo moved to France in 2021 to play for Paris Saint-Germain.
Since July 2023, Lionel Messi brought his talent to Inter Miami, where he revolutionized the MLS. With the Herons, he played 14 matches, scoring 11 goals and providing 5 assists. The Argentine was a crucial player for the Fort Lauderdale team, which won the 2023 Leagues Cup (Inter's first title in its history) and secured the runner-up position in the US Open Cup.
Naturally, his talent made him untouchable in the national team as well. Messi has also written history at the international level with his country, becoming Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 106 goals. He also has more caps than any other Argentine player, having made 178 appearances with La Albiceleste. At 36, Leo Messi proved he is still one of the world’s best by leading his nation to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022.
These are some of the most inspirational and famous quotes of the Argentinian superstar, who apart from being extremely talented, has proven that hard work pays off.
1. "Every year I try to grow as a player and not get stuck in a rut. I try to improve my game in every way possible."
2. “When the year starts the objective is to win it all with the team, personal records are secondary.”
3. “Money is not a motivating factor. Money doesn’t thrill me or make me play better because there are benefits to being wealthy. I’m just happy with a ball at my feet. My motivation comes from playing the game I love. If I wasn’t paid to be a professional footballer I would willingly play for nothing.”
4. “I start early and I stay late, day after day, year after year. It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.”
5. “You can overcome anything, if only you love something enough.”
6. “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.”
7. “I am a normal person. I have the same life as any human being. When I finish playing, doing my work, I have my family, my friends, and I live like any other person.”
8. “I’ve always dreamed of being a World Champion and I didn’t want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe it could never happen.”
9. “Whether it’s a friendly match, or for points, or a final, or any game—I play the same. I’m always trying to be my best, first for my team, for myself, for the fans, and to try and win.”
10. “I go out and do the best I can in each game, and I don’t think about the fouls other players will commit or whether I might be injured. It only harms you to worry about those things.”
11. “Sometimes you have to accept you can’t win all the time.”
12. “Being named among the best at something is special and beautiful. But if there are no titles, nothing is won.”
13. “Little by little, I’m getting better all the time. I’ve not lost the passion to play.”
14. “I’ve always really just liked football, and I’ve always devoted a lot of time to it. When I was a kid, my friends would call me to go out with them, but I would stay home because I had practice the next day.”
15. “To be honest, I never realized it. I never really wondered if I was going to be really good or not. I just wanted to make my dream come true.”
16. “I’m never satisfied. I always push my limits and I always try to get better every day.”
17. “There are more important things in life than winning or losing a game.”
18. “Just to hear people saying and thinking that [that he’s the best player of all time] makes me very proud indeed. But I try not to think about it too much and just focus on enjoying everything that I have in this life.”
19. “Many times, failure is part of the road and also helps us learn. Without the lows, it’s impossible for success to come.”
20. “Being a bit famous now gives me the opportunity to help people who really need it, especially children.”
21. “Every time I start a year, I start with the objective of trying to achieve everything, without comparing it to how I’ve done in other seasons.”
22. “I’m used to there being a lot of people being around for photoshoots and videos, as well as all the football. I can see all the preparation that goes into it. It just becomes part of normal life. It’s nice to see so many people around and ready to work. Do I like it? It’s what life’s about. There’s no other way.”
23. “Everything that’s happened to me in my career has been special, even the tough times: they leave marks on you that shape your life.”
24. “There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling child. I always help in any way I can, even if it’s just by signing an autograph. A child’s smile is worth more than all the money in the world.”
25. “I’ve liked football since I was a kid and I’ve always dreamt of becoming a professional footballer. I never thought of any other job.”
26. “When I retire, I want to be remembered as a good guy.”
27. “People may imagine anything, but I’m just as normal as anyone. I’ve been raised one way since I was a kid, with values that stemmed from my parents and later I reinforced all of that in Barcelona, a club with very clear values. I grew up with that philosophy. I don’t have many friends, but they are real friends. Then I’ve always had my family, and I feel happy when I spend time with them and my friends.”
28. “I want my kids to do whatever makes them happy.”
29. “I left my family, my friends, my people to start a new life. Everything that I did was for soccer, to achieve my dream.”
30. “I’m more worried about being a good person than the world’s best player.”
31. “I’ve understood that life isn’t just soccer.”
32. “I would change all my Ballon d’Ors for a World Cup.”
33. “After saying I was retiring from the national team, I thought about it and realized I was sending the wrong message to people that fought for their dreams.”
34. “I’m lucky to be part of a team who help to make me look good, and they deserve as much of the credit for my success as I do for the hard work we have all put in on the training ground.”
35. “You cannot allow your desire to be a winner to be diminished by achieving success before, and I believe there is room for improvement in every sportsman.”
36. “The best decisions aren’t made with your mind, but with your instincts.”
37. “It doesn’t matter if I am better than Cristiano Ronaldo, all that matters is that Barcelona are better than Real Madrid.”
38. “Football has been my life since I was a kid. My style remains the same, I love every single minute I get on the pitch. I know I have a great responsibility, and that there are objectives to accomplish, but I try to have fun too, because that’s what I love to do.”
39. “When I’m in the car on the way to training, I always drive as calmly as possible. I enjoy the drive, actually. It’s nice to have that bit of time before training to relax, alone with my thoughts. It’s the same before a game. I always go the same route, too, because it helps me concentrate.”
40. “I never think about the play or visualize anything. I do what comes to me at that moment. Instinct. It has always been that way.”
This is one of Lionel Messi’s most recent interviews. On this occasion, Messi sat down with Argentine journalist Pablo Giralt to open up about his family, showing a personal side that some people were not used to seeing.
It’s safe to say this was one of, if not the most impactful interview Messi ever gave. It happened during the pandemic in 2020, shortly after Messi almost left FC Barcelona. World soccer was in shock as the Argentine star formally requested to leave the club, sparking a chaotic situation in which the club found a legal way to go against his wishes and keep him. Messi gave insight on the behind the scenes to Jordi Évole, explaining his reasons to request a transfer and how his relationship with Barca president Josep Maria Bartmeou had deteriorated.
Shortly before Qatar 2022, Messi sat down with Argentine journalist Sebastián Vignolo to discuss a number of topics. Messi revealed how he deals with defeat, explaining that all of us need to stand up and keep trying to achieve our goals in life. He also talks about his passion for the game, his family, his childhood, and reflects on his first days as a Barcelona player.
Messi is without any doubt one of the most inspiring athletes in sports history. While his soccer career is enough for people to admire him, it’s his actions and words off the field that make him a role model and an exemplary human being.
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