The GOAT Unplugged: Messi’s Candid Sit-Down on Luzu TV
Leo Messi on Leadership, Vulnerability, and the New Era of Argentina
While the world watches Lionel Messi lift trophies and shatter records, the man behind the legendary number 10 jersey remains surprisingly grounded—and deeply human. In a series of candid reflections, Messi opened up about the transition of the Argentina National Team and his personal struggles with leadership and fame.
“After the 2018 World Cup a whole generation ended and a new era began with lots of young players who loved me,” Messi noted.
He credited Rodrigo De Paul for bridging the gap between the old guard and the new. “De Paul, I always tell him he’s very similar to Pocho Lavezzi… he was the one who broke that barrier. He made things more natural inside the group, helped us all gain confidence and loosen up.”
Surprisingly, the man considered the greatest of all time felt like the outsider. “In that case I was actually the ‘new one’, the one who had to adapt to them, and De Paul helped me a lot because he made that adaptation easier for all of us.”
The Leadership Philosophy
Messi’s leadership style has never been about locker room speeches. “My leadership has always been more through actions than words… showing it on the pitch and in training, always giving my maximum in everything. With time you gain experience and culture… but at the start it was always about leading by example.”
Quick Stats: The Messi Influence
| Category | Impact/Preference |
| Communication Style | Prefers actions over words; avoids texting. |
| Favorite Drink | “I like wine. Wine and Sprite, so that it hits fast.” |
| Tech Habits | “I don’t use ChatGPT… Antonela is on it all day, but I haven’t got into that world.” |
| Criticism | “I’m my own first critic. I’ve INSULTED myself a lot in my head.” |
Life in Miami & Looking Back
Transitioning to Inter Miami wasn’t just a career move for Messi; it was a lifestyle choice. “Here in Miami I can live much more calmly… People live differently here, and many don’t give football that much importance.”
However, the journey to the top was paved with hardship. Reflecting on his departure from Newell’s Old Boys, Messi recalled the struggle to pay for his growth hormone treatments. “I started the treatment when I was 11. It was a very expensive treatment… My mom had to cross Rosario to get the money Newell’s had promised us and many times they gave her only 5 pesos.”
That struggle eventually led him to the FC Barcelona academy, changing the course of football history forever.
The Mental Game
Despite his god-like status on the pitch, Messi admitted to the same mental blocks we all face. “What I like least about myself is that when I get into a bad place mentally, I block myself and it’s hard for me to get out of it… Any silly thing can change my mood.”
He also shared a relatable human trait: the need for solitude. “Sometimes the chaos at home with the three kids running all over the place ends up saturating me, and I need my moments of loneliness. I can be just lying down watching TV… Nothing special, just being quiet.”
“I know I’m a bit weird than most people in some things… I like being alone a lot.”
