For years, Messi and Cristiano have competed for the throne of global soccer. Goals, trophies... Wherever the '10' became, the '7' also appeared in that continuous struggle to be the high-quality.
Messi spoke to 'France Football' about the competition among the two at some stage in their carrying careers. "I constantly wanted to higher myself and now not take a look at what others were doing. With Cristiano, we stored the contention going for years. It's been notable and it's helped us grow in our careers, but with out searching at each different. I simply desired to be the first-rate, no longer greater than him," he said.
On whether he considers himself the satisfactory player in records, he denied that he feels that way: "I never stated I'm the first-class ever and I'm not trying to make myself suppose that. For me, being considered the first-rate is enough, it is something I could by no means have imagined. It does not interest me, it does not make any difference whether I am or no longer, and I in no way sought it.
Nor does Messi need to be in comparison to Maradona. "I've by no means favored or paid attention to the ones comments. Some criticisms troubled me within the past. I had awful moments with Argentina, however no longer because of that," he stated.
He had type words also for group-mate Neymar, who presented him the '10' whilst he signed for PSG, however Messi turned it down. "That number was his. I got here to a new crew to assist. It was an awesome gesture on his element, I predicted it due to the fact I understand Neymar. We hung out at Barcelona and we are friends. It appeared fairer to me that he should preserve the '10'. I took the '30', which I additionally liked," he said.
Messi regretted no longer having celebrated the Champions League that Barca won in 2006 because of his anger, as he did no longer play in that recreation. "I remorse that. At that second I become thinking that I hadn't performed. I was disappointed, despite the fact that I became able to play till the last 16. I regret that episode. We won the Champions League and I wasn't certain if we could do it again, but then fortuitously I become capable of revel in it," he explained.
This is how he described himself as a player: "I've continually had the freedom to transport wherever I wanted, with out respecting a position an excessive amount of. I don't know if I've felt pressure inside the years I've played, I've best had the responsibility to get effects and be specific. I feel correct and I try and revel in myself on the pitch.
As for the man or woman in the back of the footballer Messi, he admitted that, at times, he wishes he wasn't regarded. "I've been Messi for 34 years, I'm used to the whole thing around me, despite the fact that every so often I'd like to go ignored, but I'm not complaining. I'm used to it, it is some thing that has become ordinary.
