Lionel Messi’s first agent recalls ‘five years of hardship and joy’

Horacio Gaggioli, Lionel Messi’s first agent, has reflected on the Argentina captain’s early years in football, saying the Inter Miami forward’s extraordinary ability was something he discovered for himself.

Messi played his latest match for Argentina against Benin in the early hours of Wednesday, helping the world champions to a 3-0 victory.

Speaking exclusively to FilGoal.com, Gaggioli said Messi stood out from an early age, although even he could not have predicted the scale of the player’s eventual achievements.

“Lionel Messi was a special player from a very young age. He discovered himself, and his tremendous talent confirms that,” Gaggioli said.

“Even so, neither I nor anyone else could have imagined how far he would go in his career. But if I have to say one thing, it was clear from the beginning of his time at Barcelona that he was a different kind of player.”

Gaggioli spent five years alongside Messi during the early part of his career. He said the possibility of the player’s retirement had never been a subject of discussion at the time, but that the thought of it had brought back memories of their shared experiences.

“We know that any athlete will eventually reach the point of retirement, so it was not something we thought about then,” he said.

“But what is interesting is that, when the time of his retirement comes, memories of five years of stories, hardship and joy that I lived through alongside such a footballing phenomenon came rushing back to me.”

Messi’s influence on the sport, Gaggioli added, had been recognised around the world for many years and would continue to be remembered long after his playing career ended.

“The football world understood many years ago what Leo gave to this game,” he said.

“His greatness has been, is and will continue to be appreciated throughout the world. What our eyes have witnessed the madness of his dribbling and play, and the wonderful goals will remain in history.

“Now it is time for him to continue with his team until the end of his journey in football.”

Messi has made 208 international appearances for Argentina, scoring 126 goals and providing 69 assists.

He has won two Copa America titles, the World Cup and the Finalissima with his country.