Football star and 2022 World Cup winner Lionel Messi recently attributed his talent to God, saying, “It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me.” He told Argentina podcaster Juan Pablo Varsky, “It was the gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it; I did everything possible to squeeze the most out of it. The truth is, although I did many things, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little.”
As reported by Premier Christian News, Messi has previously mentioned God in his interviews. After winning last year’s World Cup, he spoke about praying for the victory as part of a full circle moment with Argentina’s national team. He said, “I asked God, as I have done all my life in everything. Even more so at that moment, I didn’t ask my grandmother or Diego [Maradona], but I did ask God, as always.” Messi continued, “I knew and sensed that God had something in store for me, and it was at a special moment, almost at the end of my career and closing the whole circle of my professional career.”
He explained, “I thank Him every day of my life for this and for everything He has always given me. I can’t ask Him for anything more because, thanks to Him, I have everything.” Messi, who recently turned 37, is competing with Argentina at the Copa América in the United States. As reported by ESPN, he acknowledged that he was unaware of his skill level when he was younger. He started playing at his home club, Newell’s Old Boys, and joined Barcelona’s youth team when he was 13. “From what was being said, I was always different,” the 2022 World Cup winner said. “People came to watch me. I didn’t realize it, but I began to understand that as I grew older. I don’t really know the moment when I realized it.”
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Messi added, “When I was 3 or 4 years old, I was not aware of the World Cup and all the titles that were being played. I simply played because I loved the ball; it was my hobby. I spent all the time kicking [the ball] and looking for someone to play with. I was born with it. I loved soccer, like most Argentines, from a very young age. I always tried to have fun, like I did from day one.” Nowadays, he is considered to be the best football player of all time. He has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and his 44th trophy after helping Inter Miami lift the 2023 Leagues Cup.