Lionel Messi: I still have so much to learn as a footballer

Lionel Messi believes he still has “so much” to learn as a footballer and is convinced that his best years are ahead of him.

The 24-year-old three-time Ballon d’Or winner is already widely regarded as one the best players of all time, with the Barcelona forward netting a staggering 73 goals in 60 games last season.

Messi has already won all the club trophies available to him at Camp Nou – but the Argentine insists his feet remain firmly on the ground and says he is looking forward to more success in the coming seasons.

“I am playing for one of the best teams in history,” Messi told The Times. “I’m very grateful for everything I’ve been able to achieve, for the family I have, for the people who surround me.

“But I always believe better things will come, I want to grow and mature as a person. I still have so much to learn. I am the way I am at every moment. I am not playing a role.

“It makes it easier to be myself. I don’t have to watch what I do. I just do what I do. Remember I am only 24 years old.”

Messi admits his penalty miss against Chelsea in the second leg of Barça’s Champions League semi-final still haunts him after the Blues withstood relentless pressure at Camp Nou to book their place in the final, with Fernando Torres netting a dramatic late equaliser on the night.

“I felt terrible,” he said. “Angry at myself because I knew that at that moment the whole tie was in my hands, but I can’t do anything about it now. It’s past but it was a very tough moment for me and I still think about it.”

Open a bet365 account with £10 or more and you'll get a free bet of up to £200 on us. Click here for more information.

Like The Sport Review on Facebook:

Read more on: Barcelona, La Liga, lionel messi.