Lionel Messi’s insatiable drive to score was evident even to those closest to him at Barcelona, according to former team-mate Samuel Umtiti.
The World Cup winner revealed that Messi “had to score all the time” to feel satisfied, highlighting the relentless pursuit of perfection that made the Argentine one of the greatest players in history.
Umtiti, who shared the Camp Nou dressing room with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, described Messi as both humble and extraordinarily demanding in his standards. While Messi’s talent often allowed him to decide games single-handedly, his desire for personal excellence was unrelenting.
“If we won 4-0 and he didn’t score, he wasn’t happy,” Umtiti told The Elevate House. “In his head, it was clear: he had to score all the time. That’s the sign of the big ones.”
The former Barcelona defender emphasized that Messi’s drive never overshadowed his personality.
Off the pitch, Messi’s humility and approachable nature made him a unifying figure in the squad, creating an environment where team-mates could flourish while striving to match his example.
Umtiti said: “As a person, he is top. You realise that even if you have won everything, it is useless to believe you are superior.”
Messi’s approach to the game—combining extraordinary skill with a relentless scoring mentality—helped Barcelona secure multiple La Liga and Copa del Rey titles during his tenure.
Umtiti insisted that it was Messi’s unique capacity to influence matches at every level that set him apart from even the most gifted players. “There is only one, it’s Leo. At all levels. He alone is capable of winning a game, and very few can do that,” he said.
