Messi, no to Inter: 'Thank you Moratti, but I'm staying at Barcelona'
In an exclusive interview with Sky, Barcelona's ace Lionel Messi said:
The beginning of your career was complicated. Was Barcelona fundamental in your growth as a man and as a player?
"It was hard because I arrived in Barcelona from Argentina very young,
especially because I had to undergo special medical treatment. However,
everything went well and luckily I've always been able to concentrate on
football without other concerns. Obviously, my life changed very quickly,
but I am happy with how it went."
Were you afraid of being unable to play football due to your physical problems?
situation calmly, I was just a kid and I did not ask too many questions. I
had to cure myself, to follow the treatment and not worry too much
because I had no choice."
Reschak was crucial for you, when he saw you he said you were a phenomenon.
"The final decision about my registration was up to Charlie Reschak, my
destiny was in his hands. After he saw me playing he made me sign
immediately, I owe him a lot."
GUARDIOLA
In 2008 Guardiola arrived, a great innovation and a structural change for
Barcelona: what relationship did you have with Guardiola at the start?
coach of Barcelona some said that we did not get along, but they were all
lies. Guardiola was immediately in tune with everyone, he was very good at
creating a unified group."
The beginning was not easy, defeat against Numancia and a draw with Racing. Yet you still continued to believe in Guardiola?
"Despite the initial difficulties we never doubted him, especially given
the excellent work during the summer retreat. Supporters, however, were a
bit skeptical, they did not have much confidence in him because he had never
did not go as hoped, and people began to doubt his value, but luckily
everything changed and then we finished the season winning the treble:
we won everything, playing fantastic football, it was an unforgettable year".
What was new about Guardiola compared to Rijkaard compared to than you and than the group?
"Guardiola has changed the way I play and asked to be more close to the
opponent's penalty area, he did not want me to receive the ball down
in midfield as I did before. He advanced my position so I could be closer to the goal. As regards to the impact on the group, however, Guardiola has certainly changed the mentality in the locker room, we were sad because we
that he showed us. He believed so much in us that we did not want to disappoint him".
What has changed is the number of goals you score: 40 in the first 4 years, 128 in two and a half years with Guardiola, is it a miracle?
"I'm scoring so many goals, it is true, and I think it's about how we play
and my new position in the field, which allows me to have many more scoring
chances during a game. Now it's easier for me to use the space because we
possess the ball a lot, play an attacking football and everything is more simple for us attackers".
BARCELONA FOR LIFE
Messi and Barcelona seem to be one thing: you think you can be a Barca player for life?
"My goal is to stay here forever. I would like to end my career with
Barcelona and then, perhaps, fulfil my dream of being able to play in
Argentina. I would like my European career to take place entirely in this
club".
Always at Barca, never in Madrid?
"I'll never go to Madrid, or in other teams. Today I say that I would like to play here forever but I also know that you can never be sure of what happens in the career of a player. My intention is to stay here anyway".
In Italy, Moratti is crazy about you: it is impossible to imagine the future
of Messi in Italy?
someone so important considers me so much. As I said, though, my whole career will be in Barcelona."
Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic
What is your relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, particular or the same as with all the other players?
"I have a normal relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, we know eachother, when we meet we say hello and there is respect between us, but nothing more, we do
not have a special bond like the one I have with my teammates. We never
got to know each other deeper".
How was your relationship with Ronaldinho, how important was he to you?
"We had a fantastic relationship, his advice was important, as well as thoseof Deco, Silvinho, Motta: all have helped me so much, but in a special way.
They calmed me, were always available and made my entry among professionals much easier. I will thank them for always, because it was not easy to be accepted in a locker room where there were so many stars. If I have been successful is mainly thanks to them".
What went wrong in Barcelona for Ibra?
"I do not think Ibra failed here, with him, we still won the league. We
all know how it went between him and the club: he did not leave Barcelona for
meant well on the pitch, he scored many goals and as he has always done. The
problem is definitely not technical".
MARADONA
To become the number of all time is not far off, Maradona won the World Cup: does it bother you that you did not win in South Africa?
"Not winning in South Africa is not a burden, I would say more of a
disappointment. We were hoping to go further and be able to play in the
final to win it. I do not feel it a burden, but I'm very sad because we were
convinced we could do it".
Is it a problem for you to be always be compared to Maradona?
"I do not think I can be compared to Maradona because he was unique. Diego isDiego, there can be no other. I think just of playing to be proud of my career, leave a mark in the world of football, helping Barcelona and my national team".
GOAL COPA AMERICA
Barcelona is fighting for everything, if you could decide each year to win
something, what would it be?
"I can not say which is my favourite trophy, it depends from season to season. It is always nice to win something, whatever: the league is important, as are
the Copa del Rey and Champions. The more you win the better".
The Copa America will be in Argentina; could it become the target for you?
"Our short term goal is definitely to win the Copa America. It would be greatto win in our country".
Is it as important as the World Cup cup for you?
"The Copa America is a very important competition, Argentina has not won
It for many years and to achieve success would be the best way to take the road towards the next World Cup".
