Lionel Messi’s dream job when he was 13 was to be a PE TEACHER, as an old interview goes viral
Argentine star Lionel Messi’s first interview as a 13-year-old went viral ahead of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where he is trying to cement his legacy as the greatest soccer player in history.
The 35-year-old is currently joint top scorer with Frenchman Kylian Mbappe in the main tournament ahead of Sunday’s final as he tries to win the one trophy that still eludes him.
Messi has scored five times alongside Mbappé – with whom he plays at French PSG – and has put in a series of magnificent performances.
But before the most important game on Sunday, an old interview from Rosario’s Diario La Capital newspaper has resurfaced and gone viral in Argentina and Spain.
The first newspaper interview of Argentine star Lionel Messi when he was 13 years old has gone viral
The striker is currently bidding on winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the final on Sunday.
The PSG striker was in his childhood team in Argentina – Newell’s Old Boys – in his native Argentina and it was just before his move to Spanish giants Barcelona.
But long before he reached his greatness in a career that has seen him win six Ballon d’Ors and four Champions Leagues, Messi had more modest aspirations. The summit of his football goals were: ‘Play in the first division with Newell’s [Old Boys].’
And his first interview revealed many other gems of what a future young superstar was interested in and what his ambitions were, if he didn’t make it big in football.
When asked about his future job, he replied, ‘Physical education teacher’ before also revealing that handball was his second sport and his favorite movie was ‘Baby’s Day Out’.
The former Barcelona star also admitted that he loved listening to music, his favorite TV show was Primicias and that his hero was his father Jorge and his godfather Claudio.
Victory over France in Sunday’s final would be enthusiastically celebrated by Argentine fans
Argentina fans are desperate to see their icon Messi finally win a World Cup
Victory could see Messi eclipse the status Diego Maradona has with Argentinian fans.
The interview took place shortly before the 13-year-old Messi left Argentina for Spain, joining Barcelona’s iconic La Masia youth academy and becoming an all-time great.
Messi will captain Argentina on Sunday against France in a match in which victory will likely cement his status as the best he has ever played.
Already adored in Argentina, Messi has never won a World Cup and it is the only title that marks the difference between him and Diego Maradona, another almost divine figure in Argentina due to soccer success.
Maradona almost single-handedly propelled Argentina to World Cup glory at the 1986 tournament in Mexico, even before Messi was born.
Messi now has one last chance to emulate that glory and clinch Argentina’s first world title since Mexico, ending a 36-year wait.
Maradona also coached Messi and Argentina in the 2010 World Cup, but they were beaten by Germany in the quarterfinals, losing 4-0.
In November 2020, Maradona died at the age of 60 of cardiac arrest, bringing Argentina to mourning.
Diego Maradona almost single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup for Argentina in Mexico
Maradona coached Messi and Argentina in 2010 tournament – lost in quarterfinals
Messi can seal his legendary status by helping Argentina claim their first title in 36 years
Messi, 35, has played in a World Cup final before, losing after extra time to Germany in the 2014 competition in Brazil.
Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday in the semifinal to reach the final with Messi as the protagonist once again and scoring from a penalty.
‘I’m really enjoying this. I feel very good, strong enough to face every match,” Messi said afterwards.
“Personally I am very happy, I am enjoying it a lot and I am happy to be able to help my team to make things happen.”
Messi has won a trophy at international level before: the Copa América in 2021.
France are the defending champions and the narrow favorites going into Sunday’s game.
Messi was with Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina, just before moving to Barcelona at age 13; Above, he is pictured playing for them in a charity game in 2009.
Messi is married to his childhood sweetheart, Antonella Roccuzzo, and they have three children.
The couple have known each other since they were five years old, and could soon move to the US.
Messi’s glittering career has seen him amass an estimated wealth of $620 million. He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Antonella Roccuzzo, and they have three children together.
The couple have known each other since they were five years old: she is the cousin of one of Messi’s best friends as a child.
And after one final chapter of World Cup history, Messi and Antonella could soon be planning their lives in the US.
It was recently reported that Messi could join David Beckham’s Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in 2023.
His current contract at PSG runs until the end of the European home club season, and as it stands, he would be free to choose his next team.
Sportsmail reported on November 27 that the MLS team believes a deal can be reached and that Messi will accept a reduction from his current salary in Paris, which is worth around $1.4 million a week, but would still be the player of highest-paid soccer game in American history.