Lionel Messi has revealed how Ronaldinho and other senior Barcelona stars helped him overcome his shyness when he joined the club’s first team at just 16.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he felt nervous sharing a dressing room with some of football’s biggest names, despite his talent.
Speaking to students in Oviedo on Thursday before receiving the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, the Inter Miami forward recalled playing alongside Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Xavi and Carlos Puyol.
“I had to walk into a first-division dressing room packed with stars when I was just 16. I was nervous.
“I had people like Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Xavi, Carlos Puyol and many others around me.
“It was difficult for me because of my personality. I’m shy and I found it hard to come out of my shell,” Messi said, according to GB News.
He said his teammates advised him to ignore their fame and focus on enjoying football, just as he had done since childhood.
Ronaldinho reportedly spotted Messi’s potential early. According to Guillem Balague’s book Messi, the Brazilian told journalist Cristina Cubero after training with the teenager: “I’ve just finished training with someone who is going to be better than me.”
Messi also stressed that accepting defeat is vital in football.
“You may or may not achieve your goal, but you have to be satisfied knowing that you gave it your all and that you can feel complete beyond the final result,” he said.
Messi has won the World Cup with Argentina, four Champions League titles and 10 La Liga championships with Barcelona. He also helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América.
