El Mundo Deportivo reported about the interview that Leo Messi, hailed as the best player in the world for third time in a row, gave to France Football. The original can be found here. It said that Leo opened his house’s door to France Football and showed them his impressive collection of trophies. In a chat with Vincent Machenaud, Messi said that what motivates him most when he has the ball in his feet is ”victory”. The Argentinian genius stated the reasons for his extraordinary and prolonged performance. “I can say I’m obsessed with victory,” said Messi. This is a clear statement of intent from a player like Messi, just  four days from yet another visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, a place that starts trembling just by hearing his name.

Messi is the youngest player to win three Ballon d’Ors in the history of the award. He recognised that he travelled to Zurich on Monday ”ready to be chosen, but I didn’t have any speech written down. However, I did know what to say about  Xavi and my mates“. Xavi and Iniesta are his favourites to win the award in 2012. “I would love if one of them gets it,” said Messi. “But most important, that it should be awarded to another Barça player“. Messi admits that winning the next World Cup in Brazil motivates him more than winning more individual awards. He said, “Winning in Brazil would be amazing! The best of the best. That would mean that we (Argentina) are world champions again“.  Those words give a good perspective of the importance Messi gives to the unfinished business – success with the national team.

Days ahead of a new clásico, it is worth to note that Leo has scored in five of his last six visits to the Bernabeu. He shows his pride of  the team he plays for. Said Messi, “I have the luck of being part of an unusual dressing room, full of great players and great people“. And with this same humble personality he has developed over the years. Those who accuse him of having more power than Guardiola at Barca, he said, “I think that these allegations show a lack of respect for Guardiola, who has won everything, who is so fundamental to our success. I have no special influence. I am a player like the others.”

Messi sets himself apart from the label of ‘killer’ (Matador) that Michel Platini used to describe  him. “It seems a bit aggressive,” said Messi. ”I’d rather talk about mental strength, because we must work to keep that up. Competition gets harder every day“. So he accepts criticism in all its normality. “Was  the derby (Espanyol-Barça)  my worst game of the season?,” he questioned. ”Yes, it was” he said, before admitting, “It is clear that I was not at my best. I’m not a machine, sometimes I will  have small bumps. But I know I don’t have the right to relax so I must keep working hard“. This is the reason why he is the best,  the number one.

Image credit: France Football