‘I know it’s not ideal’ — Messi reveals his only weakness after 8 Ballon d’Ors

Lionel Messi may be the most decorated footballer in history, but the Argentine icon has opened up about a personal struggle that trophies cannot fix.

Despite conquering world football, Messi admits that his mental well-being remains an area he finds hardest to manage.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Messi revealed that periods of poor mental health can deeply affect his mood and everyday life. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted that when he falls into a negative mental state, he tends to shut down completely.

“What I dislike most about myself is that when I’m in a bad mental state, I seem to ‘block’ myself completely,” Messi explained. He added that even minor issues can derail his mood, making it extremely difficult for him to recover without help.

The former Barcelona superstar also acknowledged that communication is a major challenge during such moments.

According to Messi, he struggles to express his thoughts or open up about what he is going through, even to those closest to him. “I rarely share my inner world with others,” he said, while admitting he knows this approach is “not ideal” and something he could handle better, but believes it is simply part of his nature.

Beyond internal battles, Messi also touched on his complicated relationship with social media and public scrutiny. The Argentine captain expressed frustration at false narratives and misleading headlines that frequently circulate online.

“There are so many things that are said that have nothing to do with reality,” Messi said, pointing out how stories are often attributed to him that never actually happened. He noted that constantly responding to rumours is exhausting and unrealistic.

While he chooses to ignore most online noise, Messi admitted that he dislikes seeing his name everywhere for reasons unrelated to football. As long as the claims are not serious, he prefers to let them go and focus on the game itself.

For a player who has won everything there is to win, Messi’s comments serve as a reminder that even football’s greatest icons carry personal struggles far from the spotlight.