Unpublished Lionel Messi interview comes to light – ‘I didn’t talk to them’

A previously unpublished interview with Lionel Messi dated from 2003 has finally seen the light of day, and the footballing legend made some interesting comments about his Barcelona team-mates

Lionel Messi has explained that he “didn’t really speak to” his Barcelona team-mates during his early days at Camp Nou. The Argentinian superstar spent 21 years of his career with Barca between 2000 and 2021, after making the move from Newell’s Old Boys in his youth.

It was there that he won 10 La Liga titles, 14 domestic trophies, four Champions Leagues and seven Ballon d’Ors due to his remarkable performances. With 672 goals in 778 appearances, the 38-year-old absolutely demolished the club’s top goalscorer record of 226, which was set by Cesar Rodriguez back in 1955.

And while Messi’s story with Barcelona is one that may never be replicated, it could have played out incredibly differently should fate have had other plans. That’s because a previously unpublished interview with the Rosario-born forward from 2003 recently emerged, with Messi explaining at the time that he struggled to forge the camaraderie with team-mates that was so instrumental to his success under the Spanish sun during his early days with Barcelona.

Speaking with Julian Bricco more than two decades ago in an interview which has since been recovered by El Grafico, Messi explained that a language barrier was particularly problematic during his breakthrough era. He said: “At first, it was a bit difficult with my new team-mates; they all spoke Catalan.

“I didn’t really talk to them, and I didn’t adapt well at first, but then they opened up and talked to me. The truth is, they treated me very well, and thanks to them, I’m getting along very well with everyone today.”

Elsewhere, Messi also noted at the time that he also struggled to adapt to the pace of La Liga after initially plying his trade with the youth of the Argentine Primera Division. He added: “It all happened quickly.

“Luckily, it went well for me, and I got used to it. Things are going well for me. At first, it was a bit difficult. Football is faster, with more touches. I think because I was younger, 14, I adapted quickly.”

Messi made his debut with the Barcelona first team at the age of just 16 in November 2003 in a mid-season friendly against Jose Mourinho’s Porto, before making his La Liga debut the following October in a 1-0 win over Espanyol. And while he only had eight minutes to show the world what he could do after entering the fray as a substitute for game-winner Deco in the 82nd minute, he made the most of the opportunity to show his potential and patented skills.

Speaking of his debut, Messi added: “No one thought that, being so young, I would make my debut in the First Division. It was a bit strange because it’s not common there either to debut so quickly. Over there, they debut at 19 or 20, and I was 16. It was a surprise for everyone.”

Thankfully, Messi was in good company for his debut, with the likes of Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta all playing their part on the day to secure victory for the Catalan giants. After an incredible tenure in Barcelona, Messi made the switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 – spending two years in the French capital before signing for Inter Miami in 2023, the club where he continues to ply his trade today.

Messi was a major part in the Floridians’ plans for the Club World Cup this summer, scoring one goal in four games during the USA-based tournament and continuing to shine bright. However, Miami’s participation in the tournament came to a close on Sunday, when they were knocked out by his old club PSG in the round of 16 with a 4-0 loss.

In conversation with DSports after the defeat, Messi said: “The match was what was expected. They’re a great team, winners of the last Champions League, and they’re in really good shape.

“It was the match we expected. We tried to do our best, and I think we left a good impression at the Club World Cup.”

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The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world’s best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.

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