“I even find it hard to let my children win” - Lionel Messi lifts lid on his intense competitive nature that will ‘never go away’

Lionel Messi has enjoyed great success throughout his career

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confessed that he has a very intense competitive nature that has driven him throughout his football career. The Inter Miami star is on duty with the Argentine national team at the Copa America as he looks to defend the trophy.

Throughout his career, Messi has been defined by winning and is the most successful footballer in the history of the sport. Now 37, the Inter Miami captain has won major titles at every club he has represented and at every level. He won age-grade tournaments with Argentina at U-20 and U-23 levels as well as the senior national team.

Lionel Messi has had great success in his career, winning Inter Miami their first-ever trophy within weeks of arriving at the club. He helped them win the Leagues Cup last season. He has won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times and has a host of other individual awards to his name.

The secret behind this success from the diminutive Argentine forward, according to the man himself, is his intense competitive nature. He confessed to Juan Pablo Varsky in an interview that he finds it difficult to allow even his children to defeat him at anything.

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"My competitiveness will never go away, it's a gift. That's just who I am, I was born this way, and it's very difficult for it to fade. I even find it hard to let my children win."

Lionel Messi featured for Argentina in their Copa America opener against Canada, assisting once as they won 2-0. Before joining up with the national team, he helped his Inter Miami team reach the summit of the MLS, breaking a raft of records along the way. His Argentina team are among the favorites to win the Copa America on US soil and he will surely play a starring role.

Lionel Messi makes history in Copa America opener

Argentina captain Lionel Messi made history for La Albiceleste in their first game of the 2024 Copa America against Canada. He was on the pitch the entire time as his side won the game 2-0 to get off to an excellent start.

Messi made his 35th appearance in the competition, breaking the long-standing record of Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone, who ended at 34 appearances in 1953. The Inter Miami star is in line to further extend his record in games against Peru and Chile in the group stage.

Lionel Messi has played in six editions of the Copa America, scoring 13 goals so far. He will have his eyes on the all-time goals record in the competition of 17, currently held by Tucho Mendez and Zizinho since 1950.