Lionel Messi has opened up about the game he regrets missing the most in his career.
Messi’s illustrious career has been filled with numerous remarkable moments and an impressive collection of trophies.
He holds the record for the most trophies won by a single player, including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, two Ligue 1 crowns, a Copa America, and a World Cup, among others.
However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that he deeply regrets missing the final of Barcelona’s 2006 Champions League victory against Arsenal in Paris. Despite Barcelona coming from behind to defeat Arsenal 2-1, Messi, who was 18 years old at the time, was unable to participate in the match due to a hamstring injury.
The young Messi was so devastated by missing the final that he refused to attend the celebrations that followed the victory.
Speaking to AS back in 2021, viaTNT Sports,he said: “I’m sorry I didn’t [go out]. I didn’t realise what was happening.
“At least I would have liked to be on the bench that night. Until my injury, [against Chelsea in the round of 16], I participated in every Champions League game in my career.
“I was disappointed. I deeply regret that episode. We won that Champions League and I was not sure what would happen again because it is a difficult competition to win.”
Of course, Messi went on to feature in three further Champions League finals, netting in both Barcelona’s 2009 and 2011 triumphs.
Indeed the 5 ft 7 inch attacker counted his looping header against Manchester United in 2009 among the favourite goals of his career.
Speaking toFour Four Twoin 2017, Messi said: “It was hard to imagine that I’d have a chance to score a header with a defender like [Rio] Ferdinand near me, but I saw that I didn’t have anyone marking me and the ball settled down so I could make the shot.
“When the ball Xavi put in was in the box, I could already see myself scoring and thank God it was possible.
“It was a very important goal in every way: for the team, for the way that final was being played and for me. It’s one of my favourite goals.
“After missing the 2006 final through injury, it was very special to play this final and score. It completed a season in which we won everything.”