Lionel Messi expressed himself emotionally after winning the Copa, but also criticized the media coverage in Argentina.
Lionel Messi has shown himself to be more open than seldom in an interview and provided insights into his emotional state after winning the Copa America with Argentina in the summer.
“After winning this title, I finally found my inner peace after being denied it for so long”said the six-time Ballon d’Or winner: “It was like a dream, just spectacular. I couldn’t believe it happened. I did not understand it.”
First big title for Argentina in 28 years
Messi won a major title with Argentina for the first time in 28 years in mid-July. In the final, Argentina beat their continental arch-rivals Brazil 1-0 in the Maracana. The 34-year-old had previously lost three finals with the Albiceleste: 2014 at the World Cup against Germany, 2015 and 2016 at the Copa against Chile.
In this regard, the superstar, who left FC Barcelona after 21 years in the summer and switched to Paris Saint-Germain, criticized the way the media treated the national team after these defeats, because of which he himself “been through a lot” have. “You treated us like failures. You said we weren’t living up to the responsibility of wearing the national shirt and that we shouldn’t play for the national team”said Messi.
The offensive player has now silenced those critics. He expressed his personal thanks to national coach Lionel Scaloni, who had taken over from Jorge Sampaoli after the knockout in the round of 16 and an alleged mutiny at the 2018 World Cup.
Messi pays tribute to Trainer Scaloni: “He believed in us!”
“Scaloni is one of us, he has a big part in the title”, noted Messi: “He put this team together, he believed in us, he took responsibility at a difficult time. He gave us confidence.”
Messi himself also played a major role in the Copa win. He scored four goals over the course of the tournament and prepared five more. He was voted player of the tournament together with Brazil’s superstar Neymar. Messi was then able to enjoy the triumph to the full.
“I finally had a great vacation from the first to the last day. Before I was bitter, it was completely different afterwards. My children sang Argentina songs all the time. They said, ‘Dad, you’re a champion now'”, explained Messi.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
