Messi reveals advice Ronaldinho gave him at 16

Lionel Messi has shared how senior Barcelona players, such as Ronaldinho, helped him overcome his nervousness as a teenager during his early days at the club. At just 16, Messi was overwhelmed by the pressure of sharing a dressing room with football stars like Samuel Eto’o, Xavi, and Carlos Puyol. Speaking to students in Oviedo ahead of receiving the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, the Inter Miami forward said senior teammates encouraged him to forget their reputations and focus on enjoying the game, doing what he had enjoyed since childhood.

Messi also emphasized the importance of accepting defeat and learning to handle disappointment, drawing on his experiences in major competitions like the 2014 World Cup final and unsuccessful Champions League campaigns. Despite his talent, Messi struggled with the prospect of being surrounded by established stars, but his teammates helped him focus on the love for the sport and his natural abilities.