© EuroFootball.com
One of the best footballers in the world, Barcelona's striker Lionel Messi, who is 25 years old, can boast an impressive career and soon will have a firstborn who will be named Thiago. L. Messi is a simple, smiling, and always ready to answer questions from journalists.
– They say you like to sleep, but we met very early. Are you preparing for sleep deprivation when Thiago is born?
– I always liked to sleep, but every time I sleep less and less. Although I really like a siesta. I am ready for Thiago's birth – I am looking forward to it.
– Obviously, you learned to sleep at midday in Barcelona...
– I learned everything here! I arrived when I was 13, grew up here, went to school here. I learned many things in Barcelona. I am very grateful for this feeling.
– Do you feel like you have returned everything that "Barcelona" gave you since childhood?
– No, I don't know... I always wanted to show my commitment to the club. "Barcelona" is my home, my club. I owe it to them, I have always said it – I am happy here.
– Do you confirm that you don't care how many goals you score, the most important thing is titles? Is there anything that bothers you the most?
– Yes, it is more important to me to have team, rather than personal victories. The most important thing is to be a good person and the best footballer in the world. You need to answer the question – when everything is over, what will you take with you? I want that when I finish my career, I am remembered as a good person. I like scoring goals, but I also like having friends among those whom I play with and against.
– You also don't care about the fourth "golden ball"?
– Awards are good. Of course, I appreciate them. But it excites you, journalists. You constantly ask who is better – Xavi or Iniesta? Who knows that? I was lucky to get into "Barça", a club with amazing players. I got prizes, titles, goals – everything here. It is a team that has already entered history with its victories. Without the help of friends from the team, I would be nothing. I would not have won titles or awards – nothing.
– What angers you?
– I am annoyed when we lose. What angers you in life? Poverty. I come from a country where young boys have nothing else to do but go to the streets and ask for money, or work hard from an early age.
– You will soon become a father. Has anything changed in your outlook?
– Approaching fatherhood changes my life, I no longer think only about myself. I think about the future baby, I hope he will never have any problems.
– Speaking of changes... Have you changed diapers yet?
– Yes, I have changed diapers for my sons.
– You have a foundation that supports children...
– Our goal is children's education, their upbringing. We want to take them out of the streets and get them interested in education and sports. It is good to know that you can help.
– Your face rarely shines as much as when you approach a child. What do they give you?
– Children are the healthiest thing in our world. While they are little, they have no evil in their hearts. They come to you and change you. Some are afraid to approach me – they are embarrassed. They don't talk, they don't understand how it can be that I am there, even though they see me on TV. Making children happy fills me with positive emotions.
– Older children also approach you. Fame obliges, you are constantly being watched. Does that bother you?
– No, because I never pretend at any moment. Who I am inside, I am on the outside. That's why it doesn't matter to me if I am being watched, I am always myself. I have been known for a while, so first impressions and the fear of being seen – are in the past.
