(upbeat music)
- [Narrator] Lionel Andres Messi,
a name etched in the
annals of football history,
revered by millions as
the greatest of all time.
His accolades speak volumes,
eight Ballon d'Or trophies,
six European Golden Boots,
and over 800 goals for club and country.
But Messi's journey to
greatness was anything but easy.
At just 11-years-old, a
career-threatening diagnosis
loomed over him like a shadow.
Yet, with unwavering
determination, he defied the odds
and unleashed his
extraordinary football prowess
upon the world.
From the streets of
Rosario to the grand stages
of Europe and beyond,
Messi's mastery of the
ball is unparalleled.
His speed, agility, and precision
make him a spectacle to behold,
leaving defenders in his wake
and goalkeepers grasping at thin air.
(upbeat music)
Join us as we delve
into the life and career
of Argentina's prodigal son,
tracing his meteoric rise
from humble beginnings
to global super stardom.
This is the story of the
magician known as Lionel Messi.
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music continues)
In the vibrant football city of Rosario,
Lionel Andres Messi,
born on June 24th, 1987,
was raised amidst the fervor
for the beautiful game.
His father, Jorge Messi,
a steel factory manager and
part-time football coach,
and his mother, Celia Cuccittini,
a dedicated worker in a
magnet manufacturing workshop,
instilled in him a deep love
for football from an early age.
Surrounded by the game day in and day out,
Messi's passion for
football burned bright.
- Well, Messi was born
into a football family,
his dad was a coach, and he
was born in a football city.
Rosario in Argentina was
one of the host cities
for the World Cup in 1978,
almost 10 years before Messi was born.
This is a city that loves the game.
And it's a family that loves the game,
that is steeped in the
game through his father.
And Lionel Messi, his
first influence is through,
of course, his father's love of football,
but also his grandmother's willingness
to take him anywhere
that football takes him
as he begins to make his way
in the local football scene.
- [Narrator] At the tender age of four,
Messi's talent was undeniable.
By 1992, he had already embarked
on his football journey,
joining his first team, Grandoli,
under the guidance of his father.
- And his father, who is a coach,
takes him to the local club Grandoli
and looks after him there and
influences his first steps
as a very young player,
four-years-old when he goes to Grandoli.
But of course, Newell's Old Boys
are the Rosario club
and the club that Messi
has supported all his life.
And, you know, very quickly
they've become aware
of any emerging talent on their doorstep,
and little Lionel Messi is
very much an emerging talent.
- [Narrator] While his father
played a significant role
in his development at Grandoli,
Messi's maternal grandmother, Celia,
provided unwavering support,
accompanying him to every
training session and match.
At six, Messi made a pivotal
move to Newell's Old Boys,
where he spent over six
years honing his skills
and leaving a mark as part
of The Machine of '87,
a youth team celebrated for its dominance.
Even at Newell's, Messi displayed glimpses
of his future greatness,
scoring goals with ease
and captivating audiences
with his flare and creativity.
He had a devilish way with the ball,
he carried it with him,
he had speed, those short strides he has,
and how easily he
passed players, didn't he?
(upbeat music)
But just as Messi star was on
the rise, adversity struck.
At the age of 11, a
daunting medical diagnosis
threatened to derail his dreams.
Unfazed by the financial burden,
Messi persevered through
the costly treatment
which amounted to nearly $1,000 a month.
Despite the strain it placed
on his family's finances,
Messi remained committed
to both his recovery
and his performance on
the pitch for Newell's,
where he continued to dazzle
with his skill and talent.
I remember that little
boy, so tiny, so tiny,
who needed, I don't
know, to be hugged because he was so shy.
- He's an outstanding footballer,
the best of his group,
Newell's Old Boys know all about him.
However, there comes an
age when kids start to grow
where little boys sh**t up,
can never quite predict
where that age will be,
but with Lionel Messi,
it just didn't happen.
The problem for Lionel Messi
is that it becomes apparent
by the age of 11 that he's
not really growing at all,
and he's diagnosed with this
growth hormone deficiency,
which casts his whole future into doubt.
(gentle music)
He was aware that he was small
and that in sport he was at a certain
disadvantage.
A certain disadvantage. And when kids
don't grow up, they are interested in
I don't know, to be tall because
they want to be taller, for aesthetics,
for the girls, because
he wanted to play soccer.
To play football.
(gentle music)
He always said if
he was going to grow up to play football,
he wanted to play,
and I would say to him, "Don't worry,
you're going to be taller than Maradona.
I don't know if you're going to be
better, but you're going to be taller.
- [Narrator] Little did he know
that the trials and
tribulations of his youth
were just the beginning of a
journey that would see him rise
to unprecedented heights
in the world of football.
- Messi at this stage
is still with Newell's,
he's still trying to tackle this problem
of will he grow enough to be a footballer.
Some people say he is never
gonna amount to anything.
River Plate are interested
in signing him as well.
But the family looked beyond that,
he has connections in Spain, in Catalonia,
and he ends up, at the age of 13,
having a trial with Barcelona.
- [Narrator] Charlie Rexach,
Barcelona's first team director
was quick to recognize
Lionel's extraordinary talent
during the trial.
However, despite Rexach enthusiasm,
the board of directors hesitated
due to Lionel's young age
and non Catalonian background.
Months passed, with tension mounting,
until fate intervened on December 14th.
- If you try and imagine the 13-year-olds
at a trial with Barcelona,
these are not the ordinary
kids that you and I
play with on the street,
these are already the creme de la creme.
But when Lionel Messi
walks into this trial,
nobody at Barcelona is
under any illusions at all.
He is the cream of that already
very, very exclusive club,
and they have to have him.
- [Narrator] With one final opportunity
to secure the Argentine prodigy,
Barcelona presented Lionel
with a contract hastily
scribbled on a paper napkin.
With pen meeting paper,
Lionel's destiny was sealed
and Barcelona became his new home.
(gentle upbeat music)
In February, 2001, the Messi family
embarked on a new chapter,
relocating to an apartment
in the heart of the city.
But despite joining one
of Europe's elite clubs,
Lionel faced challenges
integrating into the youth squad.
Spanish football regulations
limited the young prodigy
to friendlies and Catalan League matches,
hindering his ability
to bond with teammates.
Amidst this isolation, Lionel
grappled with homesickness,
exacerbated by his mother's
return to Rosario with his siblings,
leaving him alone with his father.
In this unfamiliar environment,
Lionel yearned for the
familiarity of home,
a struggle that fueled his determination
to overcome the odds and make his mark
on the footballing world.
(gentle upbeat music)
In 2002, Messi's football journey
took a monumental leap forward
as he earned enrollment
in the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
This pivotal moment
granted him eligibility
to compete in all competitions,
opening the floodgates for
his true talent to shine.
(gentle upbeat music)
Now cleared to compete on all fronts,
Messi unleashed his brilliance
upon the Barcelona staff,
leaving them in awe of his raw talent.
Joining the esteemed ranks
of the Baby Dream Team,
Barcelona's most celebrated youth side,
Messi's inaugural season in 2002/2003
was nothing short of spectacular.
With an astonishing 36
goals in just 30 games,
Messi dominated the pitch,
catching the attention
of football aficionados
across Europe.
Despite tempting offers,
including one from Arsenal,
Messi remains steadfast in
his loyalty to Barcelona,
determined to carve his legacy
within its storied walls.
(gentle upbeat music)
As Messi's star ascended
whispers of his prodigious talent
reverberated throughout
the footballing world.
Even Ronaldinho, revered as
the best player of his time,
hailed Messi as a future legend,
prophesying that the
16-year-old would surpass
even his own greatness.
Though Messi's appearances for
the A team were yet to come,
his impact reverberated
across Barcelona's ranks.
Messi's trajectory was set,
destined for greatness on the world stage.
(gentle music)
- And before he'd even got
into Barcelona's first team,
all the first teamers were aware of him.
There'd been this occasion
where a lot of them
were away on an international break,
and so they needed players to come in
and take part in first team training,
and Messi was one of those.
And Ludovic Giuly,
the Barcelona, French international player
who was part of this training session,
tells this story about how this little kid
was absolutely destroying people.
And grown men were being embarrassed
by this little 15, 16-year-old
kid on the training pitch.
And Frank Rijkaard could not ignore him.
And very, very quickly the
Barcelona first team was saying,
"This boy has to be involved."
(gentle upbeat music)
- [Narrator] Entering
the 2004/2005 season,
Messi's awaited moment arrived
as he stepped onto the Barcelona field,
debuting in the 82nd minute
- When he was 17 and three-months-old,
Lionel Messi became the
youngest ever player
to playing Barcelona's first team,
coming on as a substitute
against Espanyol.
And his first goal followed soon after,
also the youngest player
ever to score a goal
for Barcelona's first
team against Albacete
at the end of that season,
which finished in 2005.
(crowd cheering)
So now Lionel Messi at the
insistence of his teammates
is in the Barcelona side.
(gentle music)
- [Narrator] Throughout the season,
Messi featured prominently,
logging over 77 minutes in nine
matches for the first team.
Additionally, he proved
indispensable for the B team,
showcasing his talent and promise.
As the season drew to a close Messi's star
shone brighter than ever,
staff and fans alike
recognized his potential,
heralding him as the future cornerstone
of Barcelona's 2005/2006 campaign.
(gentle upbeat music)
- While still a teenager, the
world is taking note of Messi
and recognizing that he is
one of the greatest players,
already, in the game at
this very tender age.
And what he has, I think,
is this incredible low center of gravity,
such acceleration, such tremendous pace,
he can glide across the ground,
but he's also got an
incredible physical strength,
which despite his size,
you wouldn't imagine
that he could be as strong as he is.
But he is literally
kicked from pillar to post
game in game out, and it
doesn't seem to affect him.
He just gets back onto his feet
and dribbles around people again,
and it never seems to knock him.
- [Commentator] Two fullbacks, Belletti.
(commentator speaking indistinctly)
Here's the youngest.
Oh look at that, poetic, with Messi.
- And it's that kind of persistence
and incredible strength to
go with the pace and skill
which signals him out at this age
as being something really, really special.
(gentle upbeat music)
- [Narrator] In the 2005/2006 campaign,
Lionel Messi rose to prominence
as a full-time first team player,
having earned his
promotion from the B team,
training relentlessly with the A team.
From the outset, Messi dazzled spectators
in stadiums worldwide with
his exceptional skills
and growing reputation.
He showcased his talent
in pivotal matches,
including clashes against arch rivals,
Real Madrid in La Liga and Chelsea
in the Champions League semi-final.
Alongside stars like Samuel
Eto'o and Ronaldinho,
Messi emerged as a crucial
force in Barcelona's attack.
However, tragedy struck
near the season's end
when Messi suffered a hamstring injury
forcing him out of the
first team and causing him
to miss the Champions League
final against Arsenal in Paris.
His devastation was palpable.
His absence noticeable even in victory,
a regret he would carry.
(gentle upbeat music)
Fully recovered for the 2006/2007 season,
Messi faced a Barcelona team in decline.
Yet this period of adversity
proved instrumental his development.
Despite the team's struggles,
Messi's individual brilliance shone.
He netted an impressive
17 goals in 36 games,
across all competitions,
securing his first hat trick for the club,
a historic feat achieved in a
thrilling El Classico showdown
against Real Madrid, marking
the first such hat trick
in over a decade.
- [Commentator] an
equalizer from Barcelona.
That's what Lionel Messi has in mind
as he takes everybody on.
Messi's got it.
(crowd cheering)
(gentle upbeat music)
(crowd cheering)
This is the game that
is gonna be remembered
as the Lionel Messi match.
- [Narrator] Messi significance
to the club was undeniable,
drawing comparisons to his compatriot
and footballing icon, Diego Maradona.
This comparison reached
new heights in April, 2007
when Messi delivered a goal
reminiscent of Maradona's brilliance,
stunning fans worldwide in
the Copa del Rey semifinals
against Getafe.
- There probably isn't a
football fan in the world
that hasn't seen the Diego
Maradona goal against England
in the World Cup Quarterfinal
of 1986 in Mexico,
when he runs from inside
his own half of the field,
pretty much through the whole England team
and glides around Peter Shilton
and tucks the ball into
the back of the net.
- [Commentator] Maradona
turns like a little eel,
and comes away from trouble.
Little squat there, comes inside,
Butcher leaves him for dead.
Outside, Fenwick leaves him for dead,
and puts the ball away.
And that is why Maradona
is the greatest player in the world.
- Absolutely certain
that there's no Argentine
who hasn't seen that goal a
countless number of times.
And of course, Lionel
Messi would've grown up
with that goal from the great Maradona.
So then in the Copa
del Rey against Getafe,
Messi picks the ball up inside
his own half of the field.
I wonder at what point he realizes
that he's almost scoring
the exact same goal,
because it is extraordinary,
from almost the same area of the pitch,
beating players in exactly the same way,
finishing in virtually the same way,
Lionel Messi replicates
one of the greatest goals we've ever seen.
- [Commentator] Messi.
Oh, brilliant skill from Lionel Messi.
Searching forward with real menace here.
Brilliant from Messi.
Oh, what a goal that is.
(crowd cheering)
- [Narrator] The goal was not just good,
it was extraordinary,
a display of skill
reserved for the elite few,
sending shock waves across the globe.
At just 19-years-old,
Messi was already hailed
as the world's best player.
With Ronaldinho absent from
the squad the following season,
Messi assumed the mantle
of Barcelona star player.
By the age of 20, Messi
found himself nominated
for his first individual awards
at the 2007 Ballon d'Or ceremony,
Messi shared the podium with
Kaka and Christiano Ronaldo,
securing third place, an impressive feat.
He also received a nomination
for FIFA World Player of the Year,
finishing as the runner up behind Kaka,
but ahead of Christiano Ronaldo.
While these accolades
were a taste of success,
Messi's quest to become the
greatest player of all time
was far from over.
(upbeat music)
As 2008 dawned, Barcelona
found themselves in a slump
devoid of any silverware
for two consecutive seasons.
Ronaldinho's decline was stark.
And under Rijkaard's faltering leadership,
the once dominant Barcelona was
a shadow of its former self.
Change was imminent.
And in 2009, Barcelona
welcomed their new manager,
former club Captain Pep Guardiola.
At the onset of the 2009 season,
Messi continued to operate on the wing.
It was under guard's
guidance that Messi claimed
his first Ballon d'Or
and FIFA World Player of the Year awards,
securing historic voting
margins for both accolades.
By the 2010 season, Guardiola
initiated a pivotal shift
in Messi's role, introducing
him to the false nine position,
a decision that would
define Messi's career.
Since he arrived he
changed everything for us, for the club,
we achieved everything that was achieved
and for me Guardiola is fundamental
in this whole Barcelona project.
(gentle music)
- I think when you have
a player like Messi,
it's very difficult to
tie down to one position,
but Rijkaard had mostly
used him in Barcelona
on the right hand side as a winger
with license to roam and cut inside.
And when Guardiola took over at Barcelona,
that's where Messi started off as well.
But it was Guardiola
probably who had the vision
to see that maybe that was a
position which restricted him,
and actually to get the
Lionel Messi unleashed,
he had to move him into the
middle, and that's what he did.
In all matches in the
Classico against Real Madrid,
Messi pops up as a kind
of a false nine position,
and suddenly we see that
Messi is capable of even more
than we've seen from him
on that right hand side of midfield.
- [Commentator] It's been
very good from both sides
up front, Rob.
- [Rob] You know you can't
rest on the laws and he's in.
- [Commentator] No you can't.
This could be a k*ller goal.
Lionel Messi takes his
time and walks it in.
(crowd cheering)
Start shining the trophy now,
the league may well be Barcelona's.
(crowd cheering)
First of all, it would
be very difficult to find
another coach to do what he has achieved.
Here everything he won and more than
what he won, how he made the team play,
because if
Barcelona has been playing this way
for four
years it is because he did it this way,
because of how he prepares the training
sessions, how he prepares the matches
and how he wants his teams to play.
I believe that the image
that Barcelona gave during these four years
is the one by itself, for the game it
plays, for the knowledge that it had
around the world. I
don't think they had help from anyone,
they are recognized worldwide as the best
team in the world
and many say
they are the best in history, so I don't
think we should give
importance to what they did.
- [Narrator] The false nine position
proved to be Guardiola's master stroke,
transforming Messi into a
formidable goal-scoring threat.
During the 2009/2010 season,
Messi shattered Barcelona's
goal scoring record
previously held by Brazilian
legend, Ronaldo, since 1996.
- Messi manages to equal
this record of 47 goals
scored by the Brazilian Ronaldo,
the man that they called the phenomenon.
And Messi manages to equal that 47 goals
in a season for Barcelona,
a football club which has had
as many great strikers as Barcelona have,
and have had Ronaldo, the great Brazilian,
Messi comes along and
equals what he's done.
I mean it is extraordinary to do that.
Season in season out,
Messi begins scoring goals
at ridiculous numbers.
- [Narrator] Under Guardiola stewardship,
Barcelona experienced a resurgence
with Messi clinching
his second Ballon d'Or
and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
Over the next few seasons,
Messi remained pivotal
as both playmaker and
goal scorer for Barcelona.
They reclaimed the La Liga title.
And in 2011, Messi's tally
of 53 goals and 24 assists
set a new single season
scoring record for Barcelona.
His feat of reaching 50 goals
in a Spanish football season
was unprecedented.
Furthermore, he secured
his third Ballon d'Or,
joining an elite group of players.
- Messi's not just a gold scorer,
of course he does so much more than that,
but he was shattering record set
by the greatest goalscorers of all time.
Guys who did not much
more than just score goals
saw their records fall
to a guy who did so much
more than just score goals.
In 1972, Gerd Muller had scored 85 goals
in that calendar year for
Bayern Munich in Germany.
Well, in 2012, Lionel Messi
scored 91, breaking that record.
An extraordinary feat, 91
goals in a calendar year,
averaging more than one and a half goals
per game in La Liga.
It's insane.
As I always say,
my family my friends
the people who love me,
who are next to me
in the most difficult moments
those who share beautiful things too.
To the dressing room
which I take
advantage of thanking the comrades
who came and as I always say
without them I would not have got this boot
nor the previous two.
And as I said recently, to all
the people who wishes me good.
It's an award for
the group more than for individuals because
I didn't get the goals on my own.
- What I can say about Messi,
more than I was talking,
or other people is talking,
he's one of the God of the football.
It's unbelievable the desire,
it's unbelievable the capacity
to fight with the ball on the feet,
to fight without the ball on the feet.
What happened when he touch the ball.
When when he doesn't have the ball
it's unbelievable the
character, how we press,
how we work for the team.
- [Narrator] But the following season
would redefine Messi's standards.
His record breaking 91 goals
and a single calendar year
earned him recognition from
Guinness World Records,
a feat yet unmatched.
This exceptional performance
led to his fourth Ballon d'Or win,
establishing him as the
first ever recipient
of four such awards and
solidifying his status
as the greatest of all time.
(gentle music)
As the 2013/2014 season approached,
Barcelona appeared heavily
reliant on Messi for success,
leading pundits to dub their
era as Messidependencia.
- Barcelona is arguably the
greatest club side of all time,
and that alone would be daunting enough,
until you factor in this man,
the incomparable, the maestro,
the unmarkable Lionel Messi,
is simply the puzzle that
Chelsea have to solve.
- Statistics and history
go out the window,
the way he's playing.
It's solely about us
performing in these two games
to try and stop him,
and with the ability he's got,
we have to be at our best.
- [Narrator] Entering
the 2014/2015 season,
under new management, led by Luis Enrique,
Barcelona witnessed the
arrival of fresh talent.
Among them were Neymar and Luis Suarez,
forming the formidable trio known as MSN.
This trio proved unstoppable,
rewriting football history
with their extraordinary
goal scoring prowess.
(gentle music)
- Always throughout time
there's been forward lines
that have excited people
and gone down in legend.
And Barcelona obviously had one of those
in the MSN combination,
Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Which came a few years
after Real Madrid's, BBC
with Bale, Benzema and Christiano.
It was a wonderful, wonderful setup,
Neymar, Suarez and Messi in the same side.
Messi with his incredible
goal scoring attributes,
but also the wonderful assists
that he brings to the side
and to the other two.
Suarez absolutely deadly in front of goal,
a finisher supreme.
And Neymar, the kind of
maverick on the other side,
unpredictable, can be
performing at a level
below the other two quite often,
but can also on his day
be absolutely sensational.
And who would not want to
be part of that frontline?
(people speaking indistinctly)
- [Narrator] Together they netted
an astonishing 270 goals
in a single season,
complimented by 133 assists.
Their collective efforts secured
an impressive haul of eight trophies,
including back to back La Liga titles,
two Spanish Cups, a Spanish Super Cup,
a Champions League victory,
a European Super Cup
and a FIFA Club World Cup triumph,
setting a new standard
in football excellence.
I've always said that
I don't play to be the
best in history, or the
best of the moment,
or anything like that. I play to try to do
well, first of all
for the team, be it
Barcelona or the Argentine national team,
then for the people and above all for me.
It makes me feel good when things go my way
and that's how I live, that's why
I'm not afraid of what people say.
I am beyond all that, for better or worse.
With Messi, Suarez and
Neymar leading the charge,
Barcelona experienced
unprecedented success,
dispelling any notion of
dependency on a single player.
Their synergy propelled the team
to multiple league triumphs,
showcasing their collective prowess.
(sings in foreign language)
It is a World Cup different
from everything else,
to play in a World Cup, to be able to be
there, I think it is something very nice.
I think that the best teams are here,
that it will be very difficult for everyone
and I hope that things go well
for Argentina, that we can achieve our goal
and that we will enjoy it.
It is in South America, we are
going to be close to our people,
and there will surely be a
lot of them, so let's hope things go well.
While Messi's tenure at Barcelona
was marked by record breaking achievements
and consistent league dominance,
his international career with Argentina
painted a contrasting narrative,
one often subjected to
relentless scrutiny.
It has been a long time since Argentina
been among the four finalists
World Cup finalists,
and for a country as
soccer-loving as this
one, that's a very long time.
- In contrast, really
to his time at Barcelona
where silverware and trophies
just seemed to have come in
a constant and steady flow,
his career with Argentina has seen him
finish runner up so many times,
Copa America, World Cup,
it's almost been one
disappointment after another.
And somehow Messi has never
really stamped his personality
on a World Cup finals.
He did win the vote for the Best Player
in the World Cup of 2014,
but Argentina lost the
final, of course to Germany.
And it felt like it
was a consolation prize
for Messi as an individual
because he deserves to be on that podium
for what he's achieved
throughout his career.
Whereas actually in that World Cup,
was he the best player
at the 2014 World Cup?
Many people would say no.
Again, a World Cup
passing by without Messi
being able to enlighten it in
the way he has with his club.
- [Narrator] Since donning
Argentina's colors,
Messi had only steered his
team to one World Cup final.
Despite leading his captain,
the squad's potency was
consistently called into question
ahead of every international showdown.
Despite boasting some of the globe's
finest attacking talents.
We must not give Leo full responsibility.
Everyone
has to contribute what everyone knows
to try to achieve
the goal that everyone already knows.
Then you have to be calm
work hard all this week
that we have so that
when the game starts we make no mistakes.
- Probably one of the problems
for Messi with Argentina
is that it is all about Messi.
And great, though he is,
Barcelona have always had
fantastic players around him
and behind him in Xavi and
Iniesta or in Neymar and Suarez.
Whereas basically
Argentina is Lionel Messi
and has been for a long time,
despite the fact that there's
Dybala and there's Aguero
and other terrific players.
If you stop Messi, you stop Barcelona,
and that has counted against them.
- [Narrator] In 2016, following another
underwhelming performance from
Argentina on the grand stage,
Lionel Messi stunned the world
by announcing his retirement
from international duty,
signaling his absence from
the upcoming World Cup.
However, as the 2018 World Cup approached,
Messi found himself returning
to training sessions
and reclaiming the captain's armband.
Perhaps this tournament
would provide Argentina
with the opportunity to dispel doubts
about their international prowess
and for Messi to silence his critics.
Under the helm of Jorge Sampaoli,
who had previously
steered Chile to success
from 2012 to 2016,
Argentina entered the 2018
World Cup with high hopes,
yet it turned out to be
another year of disappointment
for both the team and Messi.
- So the 2018 World Cup finals were
yet another disappointment really
for Argentina and Lionel Messi.
Messi missed a penalty
in the opening game,
a draw with Iceland,
massive disappointment.
And then they were absolutely crushed
in Nizhny Novgorod by Croatia,
where it seemed like the wheels
were falling off completely.
- [Commentator] Kovacic, Rakitic.
They're gonna walk it in.
(crowd cheering)
Job done in style for Croatia.
Argentina, bit draggled, ragged, desperate
and with real, real work to do.
- Coach Sampaoli, at this
point, seemed to lose the squad,
and there were rumors flying
around all over the place
that Messi would then virtually
take over the coaching position,
that the players selected the
team for the last group game,
which was against Nigeria
in St. Petersburg,
which was one they had to win.
There were five changes
to the starting 11.
And it appeared even that
during that Nigeria game
that the coach was consulting with Messi
about substitutions.
Messi scored a brilliant
goal, Nigeria equalized.
Marcos Rojo actually scored the goal
that squeaked Argentina out of the group.
- [Commentator] A brilliant
bull from somebody.
They've got the goal.
Argentina lives on.
What a moment here.
- They came that close to not
even getting out of the group.
- [Narrator] Amid mounting tension
within the Argentine camp.
Critics labeled the
squad Messi's Argentina.
While they scraped
through the group stages,
their encounter with France
in the subsequent match
brought more frustration than glory.
This World Cup adventure raised questions
about Messi status as the
world's greatest player.
- And having got out of the group just
with a narrow victory against Nigeria,
Argentina came up against France
in the first knockout game,
and Messi was almost
outshone by Kylian Mbappe,
who was the bright young
thing in the French side,
went on to have a fantastic World Cup.
It was a thrilling game,
which Argentina lost.
And at the end of it,
it just felt slightly
that the mantle was being passed on.
- [Commentator] Good ball, Giroud.
Harped on here.
Mbappe has got another one.
(crowd cheering)
4-2.
- [Narrator] Despite a
valiant effort against France,
Argentina came up short,
unable to match their opponent's skills.
Once more Messi found himself
unable to lead his team
to international triumph,
bringing Argentina's World Cup journey
to a disappointing close.
(gentle music)
(people speaking indistinctly)
(gentle music)
You are twenty-seven
years old, you are at the
mental and physical
peak of a soccer player.
To stay there, you
have to make some changes
in your habits, in your
diet, in your training.
I am twenty-seven
years old, it is not the
same when
I was nineteen, twenty, twenty-one,
twenty-two,
twenty-three, that I can do anything,
that
I can eat anything, it is that the body
does not notice it,
that I went out to play
and
that it is fine practically every game, all
the training, that I don't
know or anything,
when I think about it I notice
it and I try to take care of myself,
so at rest, and above all the food to try
to arrive well to the training sessions
and the matches, which is fundamental.
Back at Camp Nou, Messi
continued his record breaking streak.
In the 2015/2016 season,
he clinched his fifth Ballon d'Or,
surpassing another milestone
set by Christiano Ronaldo.
(gentle music)
- There's obviously never any question
that Lionel Messi wouldn't
win the Ballon d'Or.
He did it for the first time in 2010,
he was 22-years-old only.
For Messi to be on that list,
of course, is important.
Any footballer is going
to look at their legacy
in terms of titles one,
and those include individual
titles as well as club titles.
So if you are to be considered
as one of the best we've ever seen,
you have to win the Ballon d'Or.
You don't have to win in five
times, but you might as well.
(gentle music)
- [Narrator] In 2017, Barcelona
suffered a major setback
with Neymar's departure to PSG,
marking the end of the MSN trio.
However, despite this
loss, Barcelona clinched
the 2017/2018 La Liga Championship,
securing their 25th trophy.
(gentle music)
There is always talk
of the fight for the Ballon d'Or,
right now you are a clear
favorite, what importance do you give it?
Well, I have already said it many times,
the truth is that individual
awards are not my
goal, neither that, nor
the boot, nor any other,
our subjective goal
is to try to get everything we play for,
thank God we are on the right track and
hopefully we will finish in the best way.
In the 2018/2019 season, Lionel Messi
further solidified his status
as one of the greatest
footballers of all time.
I understand your pride as a father,
I am thrilled, excited to hear it
and that is why we wanted to go
a little further and have Tiago and Mateo
not only witness this event, they
have already been in the video as well,
but also be the main protagonists,
that they are the ones
to present you with the
golden boot.
So I want Tiago and Mateo to please...
(audience applauding)
(gentle music)
Well, as I said, it's what I
love, soccer, but I never imagined so much
and as I said, I enjoy
the work, the effort and
above all, as you said,
the teammates, right?
I am in the best team in the world,
I have next to
me the best in the world in their position
and that makes everything easier
and makes it possible for me to get
these awards as well as
teammates as well.
I also consider it.
Your coaches say it, your teammates say it
and I think the general public says it too,
and you must say it, you are in
exceptional shape,
you have some secret, they
take care of you more than before,
It's not normal, well, it's not
normal, what you do is not normal,
but it catches your attention how well
you are. Does it call your attention?
Well, the truth is that,
thanks to God, I feel very well in my soul,
physically
and well,
the years go by and I try to continue
taking care of
myself as I did during my whole career
and even more because the matches
are more demanding, there are more matches,
there is little time to rest and Ill
work on it so that it continues like this.
(audience applauding)
Messi's outstanding performance
led Barcelona to another La Liga title
and earned him his sixth Ballon d'Or
and the FIFA Best Men's Player award.
However, the following season,
despite Messi's continued
excellence on the field,
the team's overall success was limited.
(gentle music)
We will leave a few moments of courtesy,
before starting the press conference,
Leo Messi himself wants to address a
few words to you
As I said before, it
has been many years, my whole life here.
I arrived when
I was very young, thirteen years old,
then
after twenty-one years
I leave with my
wife, with three Argentinian Catalans.
I can't be prouder of
everything I have done
and lived in this
city, which I have no doubt that I have
that
after being away for a few years we are
going to come back because it is our home
Well, I always
gave everything for this club, for this
jersey, from
the first day I arrived until the last one
and the truth is that
I am more than satisfied.
I still don't realise
the reality of leaving
this place, of leaving
this club, of changing
club, to change my life completely.
In August, 2021, the
footballing world stood still
as Lionel Messi, the Argentine
maestro made a historic move.
(gentle upbeat music)
Leaving behind his beloved Barcelona,
Messi embarked on a new journey,
signing a two year contract
with Paris Saint-Germain.
(gentle upbeat music)
- Barcelona kept spending,
spending, spending.
You know what happens.
(speaks in foreign language)
You spend more than you have,
that you cannot afford certain things.
So right now, if you look
at what happened last season
with 487 million in debt,
just from last season,
plus the wages of the players
is 110% of what comes in
so technically Barcelona are bankrupt.
- [Narrator] The announcement
sent shock waves through the sport,
igniting excitement and anticipation.
Messi's stint at Paris Saint-Germain
was marked by mixed
results and disappointment.
Despite flashes of brilliance,
Messi's time at the club fell short
of the high expectations.
Hindered by injuries, team struggles,
and early Champions League exits,
Messi's tenure at PSG did not yield
the anticipated success.
When the history books are written,
Messi's first season at PSG
will not be remembered as a vintage year.
While he scored 11 goals
and provided 15 assists
in 34 games, this was below
his usual high standards.
It marked the first time since 2006
that he failed to reach double figures
in domestic league goals.
Having moved to Barcelona at
13, and stayed for two decades,
a period of adjustment was expected.
Messi had to adapt to a
new coach, new teammates,
and a new environment for his family,
in a city very different from Catalonia.
(gentle upbeat music)
(crowd cheering)
In Messi's second season at PSG,
he notched up 41 goals
and assists in 40 games,
leading the team to their
second consecutive league title.
Despite his efforts, PSGs
European campaign faltered
largely due to poor recruitment decisions,
though Messi was not entirely blameless.
His performance dipped
after the World Cup,
a natural consequence
after giving everything
to finally secure the ultimate prize,
which for the first time
took place mid-season.
(gentle upbeat music)
A 35-year-old Lionel Messi found himself
under immense pressure as he embarked
on what could be his final
shot at international glory.
As the 2022 World Cup in Qatar commenced,
Argentina's journey seemed
bleak from the outset.
Despite Messi's early goal,
they suffered a shocking
2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.
It was a very
difficult moment for us because, as I
said before, we
had been undefeated for so many matches
and we did not
expect to start the World Cup in that way.
They were difficult
days, for many it was the first World Cup
and having the obligation
to win the next game
because any
mistake could leave us out of the group
made it a
moment of nervousness, doubt, insecurity.
After two or
three difficult days the
group recovered and we came back to think
and above all to believe
in all the work we had
been doing, in
all the matches we had won before.
And we did not
change anything after the first defeat,
as we had been doing things
too well to change at that moment.
It was a very difficult
match to play the next one
because of everything that the game against
Mexico meant,
but luckily it went as we thought it would.
But Argentina's resilience shone through
as the tournament unfolded
with Messi proving himself
as their standout player once again.
With seven goals to his name,
Messi displayed his enduring brilliance
narrowly missing out to French
sensation, Kylian Mbappe
for the Golden Boot.
(gentle upbeat music)
In the grand final, Messi
once again took center stage
scoring twice and calmly
converting a crucial penalty
in the shootout.
His heroics propelled
Argentina to victory,
cementing his place in the
annals of World Cup history.
Well, yes, the truth is that
they are very young people
who had to play in a World Cup very early
and,
given the situation, the responsibility,
they performed at
an impressive level
as if they had been
in the National all their lives and playing in the World
Cup
and the truth is that
it is a luxury to play with this group,
which is a very nice group, very
united. Playing important things is easier.
In a group of
so many players, obviously in the end you
have more contact with one player than
with another,
but it is a
group in which we all get along very well,
in which we all know at all times
what we are doing, very united
and I think that is something that this
selection has been showing for some time
and I think that is
a fundamental part for things to go well.
(upbeat music)
(crowd cheering)
(upbeat music)
(airplane engine roaring)
Back on French soil, Messi's
relationship with PSG fans
never matched the bond he had
with Barcelona supporters.
By May, the cracks were undeniable.
Suspended for two weeks and fined
for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia,
to feature in an advertising campaign,
Messi missed a crucial training session,
sparking outrage among fans
who felt he didn't care
enough about the club.
Nine defeats after the new year
only fueled their frustration.
The football icon came to
symbolize a flawed strategy
that valued star power over team cohesion.
Seen as a player more interested in money
than the club's success,
Messi's fate was sealed.
The day after his suspension,
it was announced he would
leave at the season's end.
(gentle music)
First of all apologize obviously
to my teammates, to the club.
I honestly thought
I was going to keep free after the game
as it had been
happening during the previous weeks.
Despite an apology, the damage was done.
Yet in his penultimate game,
Messi's goal secured PSGs
second consecutive league title
cementing his legacy
with a record 496 goals
in Europe's top five leagues.
While it may not have been
the Parisian fairy tale,
many had hoped for,
Messi undeniably left
his mark on the league.
(upbeat music)
Renowned for his prowess on the field,
Lionel Messi is equally recognized
for his lucrative brand partnerships.
Since 2006, Messi has maintained
a longstanding collaboration with Adidas,
receiving a lifetime
sponsorship deal in 2017.
This iconic alliance has seen Messi
become the face of Adidas,
embodying excellence and
performance in sportswear.
His image is synonymous
with reliability and skill,
making him a sought after
figure in the advertising realm.
Messi's shrewd business
acumen has propelled him
to become the second wealthiest
football player globally.
Trailing only Christiano Ronaldo.
Today we present your new boots
and I wanted to ask what do you value
most when it comes to changing boots,
what are the indisputable conditions they
have to have for you to feel comfortable.
Do not change so much to the previous one,
that is more or less similar to
what I have been using previously
for the issue of comfort.
I think that for us the
most important thing
is to feel good
with what we wear, to feel comfortable.
Sometimes those who make the boot
look for many differences,
many things to make the boot more visible.
But what we
want is comfort when it comes to playing.
And do you participate in the design
process of your
own footwear, besides the technical
issues of the boots?
Yes, I do,
because as I said before, what I want
and what I would always
like is to be comfortable with what I wear.
And that's why I get involved in what they
do to try to make it as good as possible.
The best possible.
In a bold move Messi ventured
into entrepreneurship
by launching his own clothing brand,
the Messi Store, in 2019.
This venture curated by Messi himself
adds to his impressive
portfolio of business endeavors,
showcasing his ability
to blend athleticism
with fashion and lifestyle.
(upbeat music)
Yet his impact transcends
commercial success,
through his Lionel Messi Foundation,
he champions noble causes,
supporting underprivileged
children, cancer patients,
and those with life altering disabilities.
Messi's philanthropy,
coupled with his stellar
performances on the pitch,
has left an indelible worldwide,
earning him a reputation
as one of football's
most influential figures.
Lionel Messi's journey is a testament
to his exceptional talent,
both as an athlete and a businessman.
(upbeat music)
In 2023, Lionel Messi
expanded his global influence
by becoming an ambassador
for Saudi Arabian tourism.
This role saw him
actively promoting tourism
and sporting initiatives
within the kingdom,
showcasing his ability to bridge cultures
and bring attention to new frontiers.
Messi's presence in Saudi Arabia
underscored his status as a global icon,
reaching beyond the football pitch
to make a significant impact
on international relations
and cultural exchange.
His ventures and
endorsements reflect a legacy
that goes beyond football,
illustrating a multifaceted icon
who continues to inspire
millions around the globe.
(gentle music)
In a move that sent shock waves
through the footballing world,
Lionel Messi bid farewell
to Paris Saint-Germain
to embark on a new
chapter with Inter Miami.
This momentous decision
marked a significant shift
in Messi's storied career,
as he traded the iconic Parc des Princes
for the vibrant energy of Miami.
With the eyes of the world fixed upon him,
Messi's arrival at Inter Miami
promised to inject a new level
of excitement and intensity
into Major League Soccer.
Fans eagerly awaited the opportunity
to witness the Argentine
maestro weave his magic
on American soil,
as he set out to conquer new frontiers
and leave an indelible
mark on the MLS landscape.
MLS was strategically constructed
with a single entity structure,
intertwining the business
interests of all teams.
This unique framework
fosters revenue sharing
and mitigates losses
for individual owners.
With Messi's arrival, the game changed.
His presence promised not
only a boost for Inter Miami,
but also had the potential
to elevate the entire
league's revenue streams.
Similarly to Christiano
Ronaldo's impact in Saudi Arabia,
Messi's arrival comes with
hefty financial investment
aimed at elevating the league's profile
and instilling a greater
sense of legitimacy.
(upbeat music)
In Major League Soccer,
Lionel Messi's arrival
has been nothing short of transformative.
Joining Inter Miami,
Messi brought with him a wealth
of talent and experience,
instantly elevating the team's
performance on the field.
His incredible skills and unmatched vision
have led to numerous
victories for Inter Miami,
captivating fans and
leaving opponents in awe.
Messi's presence in MLS
has not only boosted the team's success,
but has attracted global attention
and cemented MLS as a
destination for top tier talent.
With Messi leading the charge,
Inter Miami is poised to
achieve even greater heights
in the seasons to come,
solidifying his legacy
as one of the greatest
footballers of all time.
(upbeat music)
His legacy stands as a beacon
of excellence and inspiration.
From his early days, dazzling
on the streets of Rosario
to his record breaking exploits
in Europe's top leagues.
And now his transformative influence
in the United States and beyond,
Messi's story is one of relentless passion
and unparalleled talent.
His impact stretches far beyond the pitch,
touching lives through his
philanthropy, business ventures,
and global ambassadorships.
As the world watches,
one thing is certain,
Lionel Messi's legend will endure,
igniting the dreams of future generations
and forever shining as a testament
to the beautiful game's power
to unite, inspire, and
transcend boundaries.
(upbeat music)
Welcome to our World! Where we serve you cookies to ensure you get the best viewing experience on our site.
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register