Messi’s intimate celebration and the only non-player in the photo :: Olé

The same ritual is repeated again. With the same meticulousness that they manage the ceremonial protocols at Buckingham Palace or the Vatican, the Argentine National Team shared the twelfth birthday that Lionel Messi lives in an albiceleste concentration. And it is already a ritual, because the anniversaries of the 10th were always similar: waking up with your companions, the happy birthday song, some gifts, mates with toast and conversations in rooms. The training, the nap and, to close the day, the typical group dinner with their favorite dessert: a huge strawberry cake, to sing again and celebrate with everyone. And of course, the photo on networks with thanks to the thousands and thousands who, throughout this 24/6, wrote and tagged @leomessi.

Like every year, Lionel published a message on social networks thanking everyone who greeted him on his birthday. “Thank you very much for all the greetings and congratulations!! Another year that coincides with my birthday being with the National Team…”, comments along with a smiley face emoji. But of course, in times of competition, the multi-time champion does not lose the main focus: beating Chile to ensure qualification for the Copa América playoffs. “So let’s just celebrate a little and continue preparing for our next game. Hugs!”the captain closed in his post.

He is always with Leo. When he cried after Brazil 2014, Chile 2015 or USA 2016, even when he reached the highest point in the world there in Qatar. Marito, the Argentine National Team prop man, poses among the players. It’s one more. He smiles and understands himself with kids who, despite the generational difference, integrate him into the group. And of course, after so many pale moments, he also celebrates the present of this National Team together with the captain.

Behind the “Scaloneta” there is a moving story of a man that few know. Is about Mario De Stefanobetter known in the world of football as “Marito”, a historic worker for the Argentine Football Association (AFA), who works as the team’s prop.

He is in charge of putting together the entire locker room for the representation of the Argentine delegation in each match. Besides, He is the one who protects that treasure that every player, fan, and/or fan wants to have after each match, Messi’s 10. In addition, he is someone very close to the players who take advantage of Marito’s good vibes and predisposition, whenever they can they ask him for a t-shirt to give as a gift. “When he arrived he was an introverted kid. He didn’t speak, he touched his nose. He told her to come drink mate. “When something happens to the player, the first place he goes is to the props.”Marito said about Messi.

Since his arrival in Miami, Messi changed. He is different, comfortable and renewed. He laughs and is more genuine than ever. So much so that, in the middle of the Copa América I gave another long interview, in this case with Juan Pablo Varsky. And he talked about everything: his strong friendship with De Paul, Pep’s Barsa, great praise for Jordan and more…

The moment of enjoyment that Leo lives with Argentina did not come from one day to the next. He knew how to suffer in order to celebrate. “It was very difficult for me to return to the National Team (after his resignation in 2016). They were all new kids and I didn’t know any of them personally, and it’s hard for me to get into the groups,” Messi revealed. And that’s where De Paul’s hand appeared: “Rodrigo helped me a lot, because of his way of being, when I met him he reminded me a lot of Pocho Lavezzi. He approached me, we were talking, he made me get into the group faster. “He helped me a lot,” he acknowledged on the 10th.

We all know it: criticism, insults and requests for resignation were some of the obstacles that Messi had to go through to be able to enjoy this moment. Despite external statements about his game, number 10 clarified: “I was always very self-critical. I am the first to know when I do things right and when I do things wrong. And I get pissed when I lose the ball.”

Although Messi stood out in all the teams he played for, Guardiola’s Barcelona was special. “I didn’t pay much attention to tactics and with Pep I learned a lot”Messi revealed. And yes, that team was a revolution for everyone and everyone: “At that time, even a player who came from the first level found it difficult to understand Barcelona’s way of playing.”

But Messi recognized that the massive influence of that Barcelona on the way of playing had a negative side: “The Guardiola era was a bit confusing. Everyone wanted to copy Barcelona at that time. There are 6-7 year olds who teach them to play with two touches and at that age they have to maintain the spontaneity of the South American player.”

It is clear: Messi is an idol. But who is the idol of the idol? “Michael Jordan, seems to me, on a sporting level, to be the rudest thing there is. His series brought me much closer to knowing what he was as an athlete. It’s a shame he couldn’t experience that time live. I would have loved it. “I don’t know much about basketball either, nor am I a big fan, but Jordan was something different.” And the pending dream: the photo. “They asked me for so many photos… Why can’t I have one with him? “It would be something very nice.”

At 37 years old, Messi achieved something that almost no one can achieve: becoming a flag. If you are Argentine and you are recognized abroad, it is likely that you will not be praised for mate or tango. Most likely they will tell you: “Oh, yes! “Argentina… Lionel Messi!”

The paradox is that he has not yet realized his greatness: “I don’t know when I realized I had a gift. From what people say I was always different,” she closed with the usual humility.