Perhaps it’s his age. Perhaps it’s his stellar type for Paris Saint-Germain. Perhaps it’s that drought-ending Copa America title final yr.
However there’s one thing totally different about Lionel Messi on the World Cup — a truth he acknowledges himself. He’s relaxed, he’s glad, he by no means stopped smiling in a uncommon look at a information convention Monday.
The stress seems to have been lifted off the shoulders of one of many best soccer gamers of all time.
Look out the remainder of the groups in Qatar, beginning with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
“I don’t know if that is the very best second in my profession, however I really feel very well,” Messi stated. “Perhaps a bit extra mature, at all times attempting to offer my greatest and luxuriate in every thing, and reside this World Cup with depth and luxuriate in each second.
“Earlier than I didn’t take into consideration that — I simply wished to play … after which take into consideration the subsequent sport — and generally I missed loads of issues. I do know a bit extra now.”
With 22 of the 26-man Argentina squad taking part in at their first World Cup — two of them being 21-year-olds Thiago Almada and Enzo Fernandez — no surprise Messi feels just like the veteran of the group at 35.
And once more he stated that this was “probably” going to be his final World Cup, even when that aspect of doubt would possibly excite the extra optimistic of Argentina followers considering forward to the 2026 event in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Can the Albiceleste go there as titleholders? Perhaps, since Messi is getting flashbacks to 2014 when Argentina made a run to the World Cup ultimate — solely to lose to Germany within the ultimate.
It appears successful the Copa America to finish a 28-year look forward to a significant title actually has given Argentina perception, in addition to being on a 36-match unbeaten run stretching again to 2019.
“We’ve simply received a contest and that’s very reassuring,” Messi stated by means of an interpreter. “It helps you’re employed differently, you don’t really feel as anxious. Folks don’t put as a lot stress on you.
“This squad actually jogs my memory of 2014. We’re very united and clear on how we wished to play. It’s nice to be right here in such good type, as a result of it provides you such confidence.”
One native reporter advised Messi he beloved him. The previous Barcelona star was even applauded out of the information convention, the place it was standing room-only in a conference heart in Doha.
Anticipate an identical response throughout Qatar over the subsequent few weeks.
“I’m glad about all of the love I can really feel from all over the place on the planet,” he stated, gleaming.