Rodrigo De Paul, an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays for Atletico Madrid, recently opened up about a significant conversation he had with his former national team teammate, Lionel Messi. This conversation took place after Argentina’s surprising loss to Saudi Arabia in a friendly match in November 2018.
De Paul, who was a part of the Argentina squad for the match, revealed that Messi had called a team meeting after the game to discuss their performance. According to De Paul, Messi’s words were both motivating and inspiring, and they left a lasting impression on him.
The loss to Saudi Arabia was particularly shocking because Argentina had fielded a strong starting eleven, which included Messi, Paulo Dybala, and Mauro Icardi. Despite their star power, the team struggled to create clear-cut chances and were eventually beaten 2-0 by their opponents.
After the match, Messi called a team meeting and encouraged his teammates to stay positive and work harder. He reminded them that they were representing their country and that they had a responsibility to play with pride and passion.
De Paul, who was just 24 years old at the time, revealed that Messi’s words had a profound impact on him. He said that he had always been a fan of Messi, but that this conversation made him appreciate him even more.
“Talking to Lionel Messi after that game was one of the most significant moments of my career,” De Paul said. “He was so humble and down to earth, and his words were incredibly motivating. He reminded us that we were playing for our country and that we had to give our all every time we stepped onto the field.”
De Paul went on to say that he had learned a lot from Messi, both on and off the field. He said that Messi was a true leader who led by example and that he had inspired him to work harder and become a better player.
Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his leadership skills are just one of the many reasons why he is so highly respected by his peers. His ability to inspire and motivate his teammates is unparalleled, and his conversation with De Paul after the Saudi Arabia game is a perfect example of this.
In conclusion, the conversation that Lionel Messi had with Rodrigo De Paul after Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia was a significant moment in both of their careers. Messi’s words were both motivating and inspiring, and they left a lasting impression on De Paul. Messi’s leadership skills are second to none, and he continues to be a role model for aspiring footballers all around the world.
