Tomas Messi, who once harboured his own dreams of becoming a professional footballer before eventually settling in journalism, has told La Nacion: “Despite living abroad, he has always been very family-oriented, and we have a wonderful relationship. He makes sure to check in on you, we visit him whenever we can, and he also comes when he can, especially during the holidays and when the national team plays in Argentina.”
Messi has been able to play with a smile on his face for much of his career, picking up 46 trophies along the way - including a record-shattering haul of Golden Balls and a World Cup crown. That success has been shared with those around him, with the Messi clan living every moment of ecstasy and agony.
Tomas added, having seen Messi take in his final competitive outing on Argentine soil when gracing a World Cup qualifier with Venezuela on September 5: “Everything that has happened in recent years has been pure joy. We always support him. Now we are a little sad after the last official match. It's the final stretch, as everyone says, and we never want it to end, but the truth is that what he is experiencing is beautiful.
“On the other hand, we have also suffered a lot as a family. But we are always there for each other. He relies on us and we help him... Leo is another member of the family, and we treat him as such. He is relaxed, he is just another uncle and not a public figure or the best footballer in the world.”
