Four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has admitted his life has changed since the death of his son Thiago.
The Barcelona striker’s partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, gave birth in November and Messi says he has adapted his behaviour since then.
‘My life has changed since Thiago arrived. I’m not the same man anymore,’ he told France Football.
Big change: Lionel Messi says Thiago’s arrival has changed his way of thinking.
“When you have a child, you just don’t think the same way.”
Messi continued: “I wake up in the middle of the night just to see Antonella breastfeeding him. I give him the bottle… I behave like a normal father who loves his son.”
Messi said the baby was just like any other, adding: “He sleeps, he eats, he is very calm, just like his dad!”
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Lionel Messi reveals why son Thiago doesn’t call him ‘dad’ as he opens up about his life outside of football.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has opened up about his life outside of football after signing a new contract with the club. The 30-year-old finally put an end to months of speculation when he agreed a new four-year contract with the La Liga leaders, in a deal that includes a €700m release clause.
That means Messi has committed to the club until 2021, by which time he will have spent 21 years in Catalonia. With two children and another on the way, Messi now has deep roots in the region and has been opening up about his life outside of the game.
In an interview with Marca, he spoke about the effect his fame has had on his eldest son Thiago, and why he doesn’t call him “dad” or “papi”.“Thiago is starting to realise it, more or less, but not completely,” Messi said. “He likes going to the stadium and watching the games, but he doesn’t fully understand it yet. Even at home he sees me and calls me Leo Messi, because that’s what he hears from his friends, he still doesn’t fully understand it.”
Messi also revealed that he has a vice that has been difficult for him to eliminate from his diet.“Chocolate,” she admits. “It’s the hardest one for me. Even now, I occasionally sin with chocolate.”
The Argentine is Barcelona and La Liga’s all-time top scorer, and has already scored 16 goals this season, so that chocolate doesn’t seem to be much of a problem.
Messi will be 34 when his new contract expires at the Nou Camp and admits he is unsure what his life after football will entail.
“I don’t know what I’ll do. We’ve talked several times in the family about how I’ll spend my time once I finish my football career, but it’s something I haven’t decided yet. I’ve always said that I don’t see myself as a coach, I don’t feel it.
“In a few years, maybe things will change, but I don’t see myself today. I don’t know, I still have a few years left and then we’ll see.”
Messi’s immediate future will be dedicated to facing second-placed Valencia on Sunday night.
