Messi: 'I am not a saint, there will be times when I get angry'

The Argentine superstar candidly shared about the pressure and emotions on the pitch, stating that spontaneous reactions are hard to avoid in a top-level competitive environment.

In a recent conversation on the program Miro de atras, Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi shared notable insights about player behavior and emotions in elite football. Rather than avoiding debate, he chose to speak directly about the psychological pressure during matches, especially those moments when emotions override reason on the field.

“I am not a saint. During a match, emotions always run high. But what happens on the pitch should stay on the pitch. It's very difficult to control yourself when you are competing,” said the legend who once played for FC Barcelona.This is considered the central message in Messi's sharing, as he acknowledges that emotional outbursts are a natural part of professional football.

According to Messi, the intense pace and competitive pressure leave players with little time to think before reacting. “There are moments when you react very quickly because your heart is pounding. Later, when you calm down and look back, you might feel regret, but in that moment, you don't think about what you should or shouldn't have done to avoid criticism. You have to act naturally.”

This viewpoint reflects a familiar reality in top-level football, where emotions often erupt in mere seconds. Messi believes that an immediate reaction does not always represent the real person off the pitch, but is simply a consequence of match pressure, competition, and the adrenaline surge during the game.

“Then I get annoyed by what I see. Maybe I crossed a line and said something because I was swept up in the heat of the moment, and that's when we often say 'what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch'. And what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room.” This sharing shows that Messi clearly recognizes the boundary between competitive emotions and personal life.

Not only speaking about himself, the Argentine superstar also expressed surprise at how internal team matters are increasingly becoming public.“I find it strange that people now discuss what happens in the locker room. I grew up in a different generation, but times are also changing.” According to Messi, the biggest change comes from social media and the modern media environment. “Nowadays, people use social media more, and everything is becoming more open.” This makes moments that were once confined to the team easily become topics for public debate.

Messi's statements are not meant to justify hot-headed behavior, but to emphasize the humanity of football players. The core message he conveys is clear: in the tense atmosphere of a match, perfect emotional control is nearly impossible, even for the greatest legends.