Messi: "I've always really just liked football, and I've always devoted a lot of time to it. When I was a kid, my friends would call me to go out with them, but I would stay home because I had practice the next day. I like going out, but you have to know when you can and when you can't."

Messi: "Being named among the best at something is special and beautiful. But if there are no titles, nothing is won."

Messi: "There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling child. I always help in any way I can, even if it's just by signing an autograph. A child's smile is worth more than all the money in the world."

Messi: "You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it."

Messi: "Money is not a motivating factor. Money doesn't thrill me or make me play better because there are benefits to being wealthy. I'm just happy with a ball at my feet. My motivation comes from playing the game I love. If I wasn't paid to be a professional footballer I would willingly play for nothing."

Messi: "There are more important things in life than winning or losing a game."

Messi: "I want to concentrate on winning things with Barcelona and Argentina. Then if people want to say nice things about me when I have retired, great. Right now, I need to concentrate on being part of a team - not just on me."

Messi: "I am competitive and I feel bad when we lose. You can see it in me when we've lost. I'm in a bad way. I don't like to talk to anyone."

Messi: "I prefer to win titles with the team ahead of individual awards or scoring more goals than anyone else. I'm more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world. When all this is over, what are you left with? When I retire, I hope I am remembered for being a decent guy."

Messi: "The day you think there is no improvements to be made is a sad one for any player."

Messi: "You cannot allow your desire to be a winner to be diminished by achieving success before and I believe there is room for improvement in every sportsman."

Messi: "I have fun like a child in the street. When the day comes when I'm not enjoying it, I will leave football."

Messi: "Every year I try to grow as a player and not get stuck in a rut. I try to improve my game in every way possible. But that trait is not something I've worked on, it's part of me."

Messi: "When the year starts the objective is to win it all with the team, personal records are secondary."

Messi: "Whether it's a friendly match, or for points, or a final, or any game - I play the same. I'm always trying to be my best, first for my team, for myself, for the fans, and to try and win."

Messi: "I repeat what I always say: I want the best for Argentina in every way. I never try to make trouble for anybody."

Messi: "It seems like people want to blame me for everything. Whenever any issue arises, I'm said to have been involved even if I've had nothing to do with it. That's why I always focus on what I know, which is playing football, and try to be very careful with what I say because people always try and twist things."