Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to play the game, and he has revealed the legend he watched growing up.

In an interview with Gente, the 28-year old Argentina captain revealed that fellow Argentine legend Diego Maradona was his earliest inspiration.

“I never followed anyone in particular, although when I started to think for myself Diego [Maradona] had recently returned home,” Messi said. “That was in 1993.
“He joined Newell’s Old Boys when he came back from Spain and was part of the national team that qualified for USA ’94. If anybody inspired me starting out, it was undoubtedly him.”

The 4-time Ballon D’Or winner said that though he loved success and the game, he wasn’t obsessed by it.
“I always enjoy playing football. It’s what I love doing most and I’ll keep playing as long as I can,” he continued.

“I dream [about football], but I don’t become obsessed by it. There’s more to my life than football.

“I try to deal with it by being as normal as I can. I go out, enjoy life and spend time with my family and friends just like everybody else.

“Just like there are great professionals who save lives and create things so we can live better, I play football so that others can be entertained.

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