‘I prefer to be alone’: Messi admits struggles in life despite historic career

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest icons, has spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health

According to MARCA, the Argentina captain opened up about what he considers his biggest weakness throughout his illustrious career, which is managing his mental well-being.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Messi admitted that periods of poor mental health have significantly affected his mood and daily life, revealing that he tends to emotionally shut down when things are not right mentally.

“What I dislike most about myself is that when I’m in a bad mental state, I seem to block myself completely,” Messi said. “Very small things can affect me, and once that happens, it’s hard for me to recover.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner explained that communication becomes particularly difficult during such moments. Even with family and close friends, Messi struggles to express what he is feeling.

I rarely share my inner world with others,” he admitted. “I know it’s not ideal and that I could handle things better, but it’s part of who I am.”

Beyond internal battles, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star also spoke about his uneasy relationship with social media and public scrutiny. Messi expressed frustration at the false narratives and misleading stories that often circulate online.

“There are many things that are said that have nothing to do with reality,” he said. “Stories are attributed to me that never happened. You can’t constantly come out to deny everything, it’s exhausting.”

While he generally ignores online speculation, Messi admitted that he dislikes seeing his name dominate headlines for reasons unrelated to football. As long as the claims are not serious, he prefers to let them pass and focus solely on the game.

In the same interview, Messi also offered insight into his personality, describing himself as highly structured and admitting to having what he called “weird quirks.”

“I know I’m a bit weird compared to most people in some things,” he said, per Touchline Football. “I like being alone a lot. Sometimes the chaos at home with the three kids running everywhere saturates me, and I need moments of loneliness.”

Those moments of solitude, Messi explained, are often simple, lying down, watching television or football, and enjoying silence. However, his need for order can make disruptions difficult to handle.

“I’m very organised,” he added. “If I plan my day in a certain way and something unexpected happens, it already annoys me. When I’m like that, I shut down. I don’t communicate it; I process everything inside.”

For a footballer who has conquered every major honour the sport has to offer, Messi’s honesty serves as a reminder that even the greatest icons carry personal battles far beyond the spotlight.

Messi has lifted every trophy, yet admits to mental struggles. What’s your reaction? Tell us in the comments.