Lionel Messi's nephew admits 'we have suffered a lot as a family' due to Inter Miami superstar's global fame

Messi remains at the top of his game, with a new contract being mooted in MLS at 38 years of age. If that deal is signed, then he will emulate eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo by playing towards and beyond his 40th birthday. Fresh terms are expected to be agreed as Messi is settled in South Florida alongside wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons.

Family has always been very important to Messi, with the all-time great able to remain humble after becoming a superstar. He makes a point of keeping in touch with everybody inside his circle of trust, with Tomas forming part of that group.

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.”

Messi is expected to grace next summer’s World Cup, helping Argentina to defend their crown, but is yet to officially confirm his involvement. Tomas claims the South American GOAT “doesn’t say anything” on that matter and will “decide when the time comes”.

If Messi does attend another major tournament, then big things will be expected of him. That is the weight that his name now carries, with Tomas experiencing that himself before seeing unfortunate injuries scupper any plans to follow in the illustrious footsteps of his uncle.

He said: “At the time, my surname affected me. I felt it was a burden because it seemed like I had to be just like my uncle. It wasn't easy. And when I started playing again, that weight didn't influence me as much... I didn't care what people thought or said.”

Messi is back in the Argentina squad at present, as they prepare for a meeting with Venezuela in the familiar surroundings of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. They have another friendly date with Puerto Rico to come at Soldier Field in Chicago on October 14. Those fixtures will give Messi the chance to enhance his history-making international record, which currently stands at 114 goals through 194 appearances.