Messi: 'At Barca, I never felt this way'

After many years under the pressure to win at Barca, Lionel Messi says he now values every day on the pitch and views his career achievements with greater calmness.

Since joining Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi has shown a very different side compared to his peak years in Europe. No longer a reserved player focused solely on trophies, he admits he is enjoying football and life in a more relaxed way. His latest comments clearly reflect the change in mindset of the Argentine superstar in the final stage of his career.

“I am now more comfortable and open,” Messi shared on the YouTube channel“Miro para atrás” when talking about his current self. He acknowledged that previously he was not someone who liked to communicate much with the media or the public. “I wasn’t really talkative, although lately I have spoken more than almost my entire previous career combined.” This change came naturally as the pressure to achieve results is no longer as heavy as before.

Messi also spoke frankly about the downside of fame. “I really don’t like it, especially what happens afterward regarding the ‘image’.” For many years wearing the FC Barcelona jersey, he lived in a constant competitive state where every victory was quickly replaced by the next goal, making the feeling of enjoying success a luxury.

According to Messi, the relentless cycle of winning made him not fully appreciate the true value of the titles he had won. “I was fortunate to win many trophies, but at the time, I didn’t truly value them as they deserved, because my mind was always on winning the next one.” Now, his perspective has changed as his career enters a new chapter.

“Now, I enjoy everything differently; today I cherish each day more and appreciate what I have achieved.” These words show that Messi is slowing down his pace, instead of chasing perfection as he did in his prime. He views each match day as a valuable experience rather than just a stepping stone to the next trophy.

In a long conversation on a football program in the Americas region, Messi also recalled the journey from Rosario to Spain at just 13 years old; memories of the neighborhood and the airport farewell with his family still move him. These childhood experiences, he says, helped shape the quiet personality he maintained through most of his career.

Messi also remembered the advice from coach Pep Guardiola during Barcelona’s European dominance: to respect opponents by continuing to play seriously even when leading by a large margin. Looking back now, he admits that sometimes players get so used to winning that they forget to enjoy it – something he is relearning today.