The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is often given holy nicknames for his magical abilities on the pitch, isn’t particularly fond of being compared to God.
In fact, when speaking to Catalan publication RAC1 about the subject in a wide-ranging interview, Messi said: “I’m not worried by it, but it’s true that I don’t like it.
“It’s nice to be praised because people are being respectful. They don’t say it with any ill intent, but actually, with the complete opposite. But I think it’s very exaggerated to call me that.”
Messi, who joined MLS side Inter Miami this summer, gets called ‘the god of football’ on a fairly regularly basis.
And his son Matteo might end up jumping on the bandwagon. He added: “Because of my sons, the age they have, they hear things and they copy them. My son, Mateo, calls me ‘Leo Messi,” [he’ll say,] ‘let’s go Leo Messi!'”
Back in 2018, a journalist sought clarification from Pope Francis as to whether Messi is in fact God and it resulted in a quite hilariously brilliant exchange.
Speaking to Jordi Évole on laSexta’s Salvados, translated by Marca, the 82-year-old head of the Catholic Church was asked if it was sacrilegious to call Messi a God.
Jordi Évole: “You know when both. Is it sacrilege to say the Messi is God?”
Pope Francis: “In theory, it is sacrilege. You can’t say it and I don’t believe it. Do you believe it?”
JÉ: “I do.”
PF: “I don’t [laughs]. People can say he is God, just as they may say ‘I adore you,’ but only God can be worshipped. Those are expressions from people. ‘This is a God with the ball on the field’ is a popular way for someone to express themselves.”
AI shows what Lionel Messi would sound like if he spoke English (Javifernandez via X)This is what Lionel Messi would sound like if he spoke English.
The Pope met Messi at the Vatican in 2013 when the Argentina captain was on international duty and three years later he went on record to state that the Barcelona superstar is the GOAT.
When asked who was better out of Maradona and Pelé, the Catholic Herald say his response was “For me, Messi.”
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, MLS, Barcelona
Featured Image Credit: Twitter @M10GOAT
Fans have been left concerned for Lionel Messi after spotting a worrying clip of the 36-year-old on the bench.
Messi was substituted in the 37th minute of Inter Miami’s MLS clash against Toronto FC on Thursday due to injury in a worrying sight for supporters.
Fortunately, the Argentine’s teammates were able to get the job done without him, running out 4-0 winners thanks to a brace from Robert Taylor, who replaced the seven time Ballon D’or winner, and goals from Facundo Frias and Benjamin Cremaschi.
On the bench, Messi could be seen rolling his head back into his chair, seemingly frustrated with something – and his behaviour has left supporters worried about the extent of the injury.
It is the first time Messi has played since he requested to be taken off in the 89th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday after scoring a late free kick, with manager Lionel Scaloni confirming that the World Cup winner had “felt something” after the game.
Jordi Alba was also forced off for Inter Miami just two minutes earlier, with both players expected to miss Sunday’s game against Orlando.
Providing an update on the pair, Inter Miami boss Tata Martino explained: “They trained normally and we felt like they were ready to play. I don’t believe it’s anything new or anything worse than what they had. It’s fatigue,” Martino said.
“I don’t think it’s a muscular injury. There is no chance for them to play the Orlando match, but I do not think it’s anything serious or muscle injuries.”
The 60-year-old added that Messi would be assessed between now and next Wednesday’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.