Lionel Messi recently shared his views on the world’s best football teams and his personal experiences in an interview with Argentine TV.
The 36-year-old forward is preparing to compete in the Copa America in the United States this summer. He spoke with Infobae at the Le Meridien Hotel in Florida, covering various topics, including Argentina’s upcoming matches and his time with Inter Miami in the MLS.
Messi’s Argentina will face Canada, Chile, and Peru in Group A as they aim to defend their Copa America title. Confident in his national team,
Messi expressed his belief that Argentina is always a favorite in major tournaments. He stated, “I always think that Argentina is the favorite. When a championship starts, whether it’s the world title, the Copa America, or something else, Argentina and Brazil are both in the running.”
Reflecting on Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup, Messi described the relief and satisfaction of becoming a world champion after their dramatic win against France in the final, decided by penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw. He conveyed a sense of fulfillment, saying, “It makes me feel good to be a world winner because I’ve paid back my family, my country, and all my friends. But things move on. I want to win the Copa America again.”
Despite the monumental achievement, Messi revealed a surprising detail: “I haven’t watched the World Cup final back yet.” This comment underscores his forward-looking mindset, focusing on future successes rather than dwelling on past glories.
One of the most discussed parts of the interview was Messi’s assessment of the best football clubs in the world. According to him, Real Madrid, with their recent Champions League triumph, holds the title of the best team in the world based on achievements. He said, “They won the Champions League, so Real Madrid is the best team in the world. If you look at achievements, Real Madrid is the best.”
However, Messi believes that Manchester City, led by manager Pep Guardiola, is the best team in terms of quality of play.
He praised Guardiola’s influence and style, stating, “I think Manchester City are the best team based on how good they are. I like Guardiola’s City. Because of how he is, trains, and works, I think that any team that has Guardiola will be special. His teams have to play.”
Messi’s admiration for Guardiola’s managerial prowess is evident, as he highlighted the exceptional standards Guardiola sets for his teams. This distinction between Real Madrid’s success in terms of titles and Manchester City’s superior level of play offers a nuanced perspective on what constitutes the best team in football.
