Messi says Barcelona’s greatest achievement was enjoying football together

Lionel Messi says the defining feature of his Barcelona career was not simply winning every major trophy, but the enjoyment shared with his team-mates on and off the pitch.

The Inter Miami forward made the comments in an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, reported by Mundo Deportivo, a day before he is due to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo.

Messi will collect the honour on Friday at a ceremony presided over by the King and Queen of Spain.

Reflecting on his time at Barcelona, the Argentine said: “With Barcelona we won everything… and the way we won it! We enjoyed playing.”

He added: “We were lucky to win everything, not only because of the way we achieved it, but also because of the way we enjoyed playing, winning and achieving important things. But above all, we enjoyed our daily training sessions; we had a great time.”

Messi, who also played for Paris Saint-Germain before moving to the United States, said it was a privilege to share a dressing room with players including Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol, as well as “many others”.

Barcelona’s lasting place in Messi’s life

Asked what Barcelona means to him, the 39-year-old said the club was difficult to describe in only a few words because it had become inseparable from his life and remained his favourite club.

“I experienced so many wonderful moments at the club and in the city, and my three children were born there, so it is natural that I have a very special affection for the city and the club,” he said.

After winning every available honour with Barcelona, Messi described Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar as the “peak” of his career and “more than just a dream”.

He said the goals he scored in the final were among the most important of his career because of “their importance, the moment and the match itself”. He also highlighted goals scored in Champions League finals and El Clasico matches.

Advice from his late father

Messi also recalled the guidance he received from his late father, Jorge, who died last August.

He said they “spoke constantly” and exchanged thoughts after every training session or match. The most important advice, Messi recalled, was to take responsibility with the ball and keep trying, regardless of whether an attempt succeeded.

“Hold on to the ball and try; whether it works or not, do not settle for that, because there is always another opportunity,” his father told him.

How Messi wants to be remembered

Asked how he would like to be remembered, Messi said: “As a great athlete who always fought for his goals and dreams. Sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I did not, but I never stopped trying to win everything that was in front of me.”

He also said many people had considerable ability but were held back by a lack of opportunities.

Messi described it as an honour to join previous recipients of the Princess of Asturias Award, including Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, the Gasol brothers and Michael Schumacher.