In an interview with a French television network ‘Canal Plus’, FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi answered a few personal questions ranging from the first time he joined La Masia academy to his teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and being his honest self answered truthfully every question asked.

“Sincerely, no, I’ve never dreamt of winning it,” was Messi’s admission when asked whether it will be a dream come true for him to win the  ‘France Football’ Ballon d’Or award: “Certainly it is a special award and very attractive considering every football player wants to win it. (If I win) It will be very special to me,” however insisting, “every one of us at Barcelona deserves it”.

Asked about his national team coach and if he idolises him, Messi answered: “Of course, for every Argentinian, including me, Maradona is the greatest, but I have not experienced his playing days.” Shedding light on his inability to perform well under Maradona, Messi said: “Maradona is close to the players. (In fact) It seems he is more like one of the players, which (in itself) has a beneficial effect,” but “it would be ideal if Argentina were to play like Barcelona.”

On the question of his new Barcelona strike partner, and the difference Ibrahimovic has over Eto’o, Messi said the Swede provided the team with a different way of playing, and other players can now afford to send the ball straight to the centre-forward who has the ability to hold the ball down, and from there, can shoot or create for others. Though he said, the end result is still the same.

Interspersed within the interview Messi also talked about the first moments when he, barely a teenager, first arrived at the La Masia and how he was always embarrassed to undress in front of his teammates. He also recalled the video Pep Guardiola showed before the last season’s Champions League final – a film highlighting the team’s journey through the season interspersed with scenes from the film ‘Gladiator’ – and how it helped motivate the team.