Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine National Team and Inter Miami’s star player in MLS 2025, gave a sincere and in-depth interview in which he talked about a trait that has accompanied him throughout his career: his intense and emotional way of living soccer. The talk, conducted as part of SportsCenter‘s 25th anniversary, allowed us to see a Messi who is more human, honest and aware of his own competitive temperament.
Messi acknowledged that his personality changes completely when he steps on the pitch: “I’ve always been like that. When I go in, my personality changes. Outside I’m calm, but inside I change. I shout, argue and want everything to be perfect. It’s been happening to me since I was a kid and I still can’t control it completely”, explained the Argentinean.
Breaks the silence
Dona y cambia vidas
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
His statements come days after the heated confrontation with Maxi Moralez during the Eastern Conference final, where Inter Miami defeated New York City 5-1.
Although Messi did not mention names, his words fit in with the episode that quickly went viral among fans, especially in the Latino community in the United States.
The star acknowledged that, in the midst of competition, emotions run high:
“It’s part of the game and it stays there. I play to win and I get hot. Sometimes you can’t control your emotions.”
“In cold, looking at things from the outside, many things I don’t like, but what happens on the pitch ends up on the pitch,” Messi said frankly.
The cross between Messi and Maxi Moralez
Even today, I still can´t fully control it
Lionel Messi
The match between Inter Miami and New York City left a moment that became one of the most talked about moments of the 2025 season.
It all started when Maxi Moralez hit Maximiliano Falcón with his elbow, without the ball, which triggered an immediate reaction from several players of the Miami team.
Messi was the first to confront the Argentine midfielder.
The two came face to face, raising the tension on the court as their teammates intervened to separate them.
Moralez ended up cautioned for the action, as did Marcelo Weigandt, who joined in the complaints.
Rodrigo De Paul – still one of the most temperamental players in the squad – also had a run-in with Moralez after Miami’s second goal.
Despite the heated moment, both Messi and the rest of the players involved lowered their intensity at the end of the match, making it clear that the competition stays on the field.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
