In a lengthy interview on the “Miro de atras” podcast, Argentine star Lionel Messi, a player for Inter Miami in the United States, revealed behind-the-scenes stories and secrets that have never been told before about his legendary football career, highlighting pivotal moments, starting with the shocking defeat against the Saudi national team in the opening of the 2022 World Cup, and ending with his first memories with the late legend Diego Armando Maradona.
Saudi Arabia's shock: The turning point towards the world title
Messi began by recalling Argentina's opening match at the Qatar World Cup, which ended in one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history: a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia. He described the defeat as a "very tough blow" for the team, which had entered the tournament on a historic 36-match unbeaten run. He said, "The match against Mexico was the most difficult of all, because we were under immense pressure. The loss to Saudi Arabia put us in a precarious position; any further slip-up would have meant our early exit.".
Messi added, “We knew that if we lost to Mexico, it was all over. We went into the match in a subconscious state; your mind was racing. You were telling yourself, ‘Yes, everything is fine, we have to win, and if we lose, we’re out.’” He explained that this early shock forced the team to regroup and play every subsequent match as if it were a final, which provided tremendous psychological motivation and was a key factor in their unity and eventual victory.
First encounter with Maradona: An unforgettable, historic victory
Messi then turned to his special relationship with Argentina's greatest inspiration, Diego Maradona, revealing details of their first meeting. This occurred after Messi won the Under-20 World Cup, when he was invited to Maradona's famous television program, "La Noche del 10" (The Night of the 10). Messi recalled: "The first time I met Diego was when I went to his television program. Maradona showed me great affection in the locker room and greeted us. My father and my entire family were with me.".
The meeting wasn't just about words; it also included an exhibition match. Messi added, "I played with Carlitos (Carlos Tevez) and we beat Diego. That was the only match he lost in his career, and it's an unforgettable feeling." This encounter holds great symbolic importance, as many considered it a passing of the torch from a legend of the past to a legend of the future, who had to bear the burden of comparisons with Maradona throughout his career until he finally crowned it with a World Cup title.
Personal maturity and professional memories
On another note, Messi addressed the changes in his personality over time, emphasizing that he has become calmer and more mature compared to his younger days at Barcelona. He also expressed regret for not having learned English better during his career. He further discussed aspects of his personal life, including his relationship with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, offering rare glimpses into his life off the pitch, just months before Argentina begins its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign to defend its title.
