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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Handed armband at 2010 World Cup</li><li>That honour bestowed by Maradona</li><li>Now a leader with club and country</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

‘Got stuck & nobody helped’ – Lionel Messi’s nervous first team talk as Argentina captain explained by ex-Man Utd & Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron

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Messi, who now has eight Ballons d’Or and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">a record-breaking collection of major honours</a> to his name, was two days away from celebrating his 23rd birthday when first being asked to skipper his country. That honour was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/diego-maradona-dancer-lionel-messi-machine-mls-argentina-diego-valeri-explains-inter-miami-compared-world-cup-winner/blt0a97cf8a14b95314" target="_blank">bestowed upon him at the 2010 World Cup by iconic countryman Diego Maradona</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi took the armband for a group stage meeting with Greece, as the likes of Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze were rested, and was charged with the task of delivering an inspiring pre-match speech. He is now well versed in such demands, but struggled a little with nerves some 14 years ago.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Veron has told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efq0iw1VDF8 " target="_blank">Clank!</a> of witnessing Messi’s first words as Albiceleste captain: “He got stuck at some point. It's normal. It's not easy to speak in front of a group, especially in that situation. We didn't help him. It turned out well.”

WHAT VERON SAID

Messi has previously said of having to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-rousing-world-cup-final-team-talk-mac-allister-argentina-france/blt1c616d28fd659ec5" target="_blank">get to grips with life as an on-field leader</a>: “The first time I was captain it was difficult for me to speak in the locker room. I'm not one to talk much, I think that everyone knows what to do on the field and the importance of the game ahead. I'm a captain in my own way. I had to grow up somewhere. [Carles] Puyol wasn't one to give talks or harangues either.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi is currently skipper of MLS side Inter Miami. He also fills the armband with Argentina and has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-messi-lifts-world-cup-trophy-argentina-thrilling-penalty-shootout-france-goat/blt38b30d6ba3692fc1" target="_blank">guided them to Copa America and World Cup glory</a>. There is no sign of him bowing out any time soon, at 36 years of age, and has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-watch-out-inter-miami-lionel-messi-win-everything-2024-crazy-eighth-ballon-d-or/blt8adde7fc64f6ebb3 " target="_blank">more major silverware to chase down with club and country in 2024</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

‘Got stuck & nobody helped’ – Lionel Messi’s nervous first team talk as Argentina captain explained by ex-Man Utd & Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron | Goal.com Tanzania

Juan Sebastian Veron has lifted the lid on Lionel Messi’s first team talk as Argentina captain, with the all-time great getting “stuck” at one point.

‘Got stuck &amp; nobody helped’ – Lionel Messi’s nervous first team talk as Argentina captain explained by ex-Man Utd &amp; Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron

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