Buenos Aires, June 6:
Former Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez believes Lionel Messi remains driven by the same hunger and determination that helped him become one of football’s greatest players, saying the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is still motivated by the dream of winning another FIFA World Cup.
Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is again leading the defending champions at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will commence on June 11.
“Messi is fuelled by his hunger for glory and his desire to make history again. He keeps going – nothing can stop him. He plays for the pride of representing his country: nothing else crosses his mind, not even breaking records.
He wants to be crowned a world champion again. He’s putting everything on the line once more because that hunger is part of who he is,” Rodriguez told FIFA.
“Without that mindset and drive, he wouldn’t have achieved everything that he has. That’s why we’re still able to enjoy another World Cup with him in Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt,” he added.