Lionel Messi has spoken about always going first in a penalty shootout and wanting to take full responsibility.

Messi spoke in an interview with Simplemente Fútbol about wanting to play in the 2026 World Cup and Argentina’s matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In the same interview, Messi stated that he always tried to go first in a penalty shootout.

With the Argentina national team, Messi kicked first at the 2011 Copa America against Uruguay while also kicking first in the semi final of the 2014 World Cup against the Netherlands. In consecutive Copa America finals against Chile, he also went first while also going first at the 2021 Copa America in the semi finals against Colombia, the quarter finals of the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands, the World Cup final against France and the quarter finals of the 2024 Copa Americ against Ecuador. Speaking in the interview, here is what he had to say:

“I always tried to go first in penalty shootouts, to take the full responsibility, I always did that.”

About taking a penalty against Hugo Lloris in the 2022 World Cup final:

“I wasn’t thinking about where to shoot against Lloris, it was about waiting until the last moment. I waited for him, he moved, but I was very calm.”

Lionel Messi spoke in an interview with Simplemente Fútbol about the 2022 World Cup.

Messi commented on Argentina’s matches at the 2022 World Cup and which one was the goal he celebrated the most. Speaking in an interview with Simplemente Fútbol, Messi had stated that he was thinking about playing at the 2026 World Cup and also spoke about the 2022 World Cup. Here is what he had to say:

“That (match against) Saudi Arabia was a hard hit. The entire world was saying: “Saudi Arabia, nothing will happen,” but the first matches are the most difficult.

“The match against Mexico was f* up, especially in the head. We knew that if we lose, we would be out.

“The goal I enjoyed the most in Qatar was the goal against Mexico. Not because of the crowd, far from it. It was a great relief and it gave us the peace of mind to go back to what we were and to depend on ourselves.

“We were superior but things would happen to us and we would say “how could we end up like this after the match we did”, even in the final.”

He also spoke about the rivalry with Mexico:

“The truth is I don’t know what happened with Mexico, when did this rivalry start. I always felt very loved by Mexico, I never disrespected anyone, I think they put themselves in a position of having a rivalry with us that doesn’t really exist.

“The comparison between Argentina and Mexico doesn’t exist.”

Lionel Messi spoke about playing at the 2026 World Cup and winning the 2022 World Cup.

Messi spoke in an interview with Simplemente Fútbol about if he will play the 2026 World Cup. Here is what he had to say:

“This year will be the important to see what I decide regarding the 2026 World Cup. Obviously I’m thinking about the World Cup and being able to be there, but I’m living day by day.

I” have to be honest with myself to know if I can be there or not.”

The Argentine also spoke about winning the World Cup with Argentina:

“I can’t ask for anything anymore. I was missing the World Cup. I’ve won it all, I’ve achieved everything.

“I have the World Cup in Barcelona, stored there. All the trophies and awards are in Barcelona.”