Messi: "I never dreamed of all this"

Barcelona player Lionel Messi gave an interview to Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.




What sporting wish would you like to make for your birthday?
There are two. On the one hand, for Barça to make people happy again with more titles. And on the other, for Argentina to win this World Cup everyone wants so much.

Can you see yourself celebrating your 23rd birthday as the best player in the world, having retained all three trophies with Barcelona?
I can see myself being part of a team doing well in all competitions and wanting to keep making history.

In other words next season there’s the dream of winning even more than the triplete...
We can dream of another triplete, although it will be very difficult.

How much of what's happened to you did you dream of ten years ago, when you were still fighting against your growth hormone deficiency?
To tell the truth, I never dreamed of all this, although I always wanted it to happen.

Relaxing, surrounded by a loving family: is that the best way to recharge the batteries after such a demanding season?
I spend as much time as possible with my family. There aren't many things that make me that happy. They support me, look after me and give me the care I need to go back in the best condition possible. This year I'll spend as much time with them as I can.

Changing topic slightly, do you think it’s immoral paying 94 million for Cristiano Ronaldo?
There's a club that sells, and another club that buys, and that's it. I'm not going to enter into the debate because it's not my business, I just play football.

How did you react when you found out?
No big deal, I’d never heard of that kind of money for a player before, but like I already said, it’s not my business.

This amount of money would tempt anyone. Not you?
This amount of money goes to the selling club, not the footballer. So however tempting the sum may be, the player doesn't feel it.

Who will be better, the Barça of the triplete or the Madrid of Florentino's chequebook?
We'll see. It looks like Madrid will have a great group of players, but so do we, and we will next season too.

Who's better, Kaká or Iniesta?
They're different, they have different skills. Andrés is a 'crack', and Kaká the same, but in his own way.

Would you like to play with Mascherano next season?
Hey, who wouldn't like to be on the same team as great players like Javier? I would love for him to come.

Does it worry you that Barça still hasn't signed anyone?
No, not even slightly. We have a team that's won three trophies, which is not exactly a small achievement, right? That means we are one of the best and so far no one can deny that.

translated by: iniestar