'They said a lot of bad things about me' - Lionel Messi opens up on his 'bad time' in Argentina before silencing his critics by winning the World Cup

As part of Star+'s new, 'Champions, a Year Later', Messi spoke of his satisfaction of finally securing the World Cup trophy for Argentina - the one prize that had been absent in a gold-studded career. Messi reflects on the criticism he faced in the years prior to the tournament and his satisfaction in being able to silence, and then win over, his harshest critics in Argentina.

Argentinian success in the last year's tournament cemented Messi's footballing legacy alongside the very finest players in history. Whilst many would already have considered the forward to be the greatest in history before the tournament, winning the World Cup allowed Messi to unequivocally stand alongside the likes of Pele and Maradona. Messi explained the love he receives from Argentinian's now, even a year after the celebrations, is a result of winning the tournament.

Messi said of his suffering before the tournament: "I had a bad time. My family and the people who love me did too. [The critics] were very unfair to a generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. Today 95 percent or 100% of Argentines love me and that's a beautiful feeling."

On his legacy, Messi said: "I was lucky I achieved everything at club level with Barcelona and also on an individual level. [The World Cup] was the only thing that eluded me. There are very few players who can say that they have achieved everything and thanks to God I am one of them."

Messi and Argentina will play in the Copa America next year as they look to defend their title and add yet another trophy to Messi's collection. As for the 2026 World Cup, it remains to be seen if Messi will still be playing for Argentina having admitted he is playing in a lower level league in the MLS.