Speaking with France Football after winning the 2021 Ballon d’Or, PSG forward Lionel Messi (34) discussed his on-pitch improvisation and explained: “I have no problem scoring ugly goals.”
Against Arsenal, in the Champions League round of 16 second leg in 2011, you found yourself facing goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and, in a fraction of a second, you poke the ball over him and score another great goal. Is this the kind of thing you repeat a lot in training or is it more instinctive?“No, it just comes to me. It’s difficult to prepare or imagine this kind of goal on a daily basis. It’s an action like no other, something that doesn’t happen often. I train and try to improve myself every day but this kind of thing happens naturally. I have never changed the way I play since I was little. Things come to me spontaneously, depending on the circumstances, on the playing situation. That evening, I felt that it was the best way to score, so I did it.”
Many players are looking for efficiency. Many of your goals, however, are remembered for their beauty… Are the aesthetics as important as the result in your eyes?“No, and I have no problem scoring ugly goals. There are different styles of attacking… I am used to starting further away from goal, that’s the reason why I score different goals.”