‘They were very unfair’ - Lionel Messi opens up on struggles with Argentina supporters during Barcelona playing days - but claims ‘now 95 or 100 percent love me!’

Speaking to ESPN, the Inter Miami forward elaborated on the reaction from fans following the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Argentina. It was a highlight of his life, but the response from fans wasn't always so kind in the past, with the Argentine sharing that it was different during his time at Barcelona. Messi claims that La Albiceleste's followers were "unfair" to him during his Catalan journey.

"I had a bad time. My family and the people who love me did too. [Critics in Argentina] were very unfair to a generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. I'm not spiteful," Messi said. "I feel it like a triumph for me to have changed that situation and won over all the people of Argentina. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that's a beautiful feeling."

During his Barcelona days, the Argentine relayed that he felt as though he wasn't "loved" by his international fans, in comparison to that of the Catalan Club. The 2016 Copa America was a turning point in his international career, after missing his penalty in the final against Chile. For a period of time following, he had even retired from the Argentina squad before returning shortly thereafter. Now, however, after the team's 2022 triumph, he feels the love and passion of the fans.

The Argentine is in offseason mode with Inter Miami, but will return to the pitch on January 19 with the Herons for their first preseason friendly of the campaign against El Salvador. The David Beckham co-owned side will otherwise go about preparing for the 2024 campaign over the next few months.