Rare Archival Interview: Lionel Messi at 13 Years Old in Rosario — Footage Available for Licensing

I am 13 years old play as a midfielder and am deaf How does this happen How do you get started in football I started playing at a neighborhood club and my brother took me along years ago Which neighborhood club That Barcelona thing first when you find out you have this chance this possibility then what it was like being there training directly at the club How beautiful it is being there playing for Barcelona thinking about the greatest club in the world—truly wonderful What did the family think They were all happy My old man was about to lose his job and we'd have been in a tight spot In a way you did help with that Yes a little You must have given her a huge boost when you mentioned this considering what you were saying—she was about to lose her job Did you know you were going to play for Barcelona No What surprised you and left you amazed And one of the things the pitch Barcelona Beautiful Yes beautiful Big difference from here Yes yes What did you do in Barcelona during the first few days you were there We remembered all of Barcelona we remembered everything And in football during training what kind of things did you have to do We worked with balls kicked the goal zigzagged the cone one-on-one and finally played football Considering you were coming from Newells where you already had friends were you nervous How did you feel during the first days during the initial training sessions Yes a bit nervous at first but I gradually got used to it and everything turned out fine Did you like Barcelona Yes I loved it I really loved it Did you have any friends there Did you talk to anyone No I go alone but very rarely And here at Newells do you make friends Yes yes Who And for example Leandro Benítez Lucas Calia and many more What do they say about you leaving No they're happy for me and say they're going to miss me Did you have any important match at Newells where you scored several goals Against whom Against Central a semifinal we won 4-1 How many goals did you score Three Is that the match you remember most Yes Did you enjoy being at Newells As for the coaching staff what can you say No yes I really liked it and stayed until now and now this has happened Who was the technician who taught you the most at Newells Adrián Corio Why do you say he taught you many things Did he talk to you a lot Yes he talked to me a lot explained everything to me and it was very good I take this opportunity to send him a greeting and tell him how much I love him Why do you feel like you're leaving given that you're the one walking away A deep sadness yet also joyous because of where I'm headed to play Who is your idol as a player Maradona Things only Maradona could do Osurdo Buendominio Do you look up to Diego in any way Do you want to emulate him No What is your dream Son