World Soccer - UK (2019-11)

imagined something else. I’m a fan of the series

and the ending left me a bit like that [expecting

something else]...

How do you like your mate, the traditional

South American caffeine-rich drink?

I like a hot and bitter mate. I used to drink it

sweet, but then I got used to the bitterness^

and I drink it like that.

Don’t you drink coffee?

I used to drink a lot, but I quit a while ago.

Thiago doesn’t, neither does Mateo, but

does Ciro prefer to kick the ball with his

left foot?

Not at all. I didn’t get any left-footed kids! He is

also right-footed.

The two eldest boys are crazy

about football. Do they play in

a particular position?

Not yet. The truth is that they are

very small; they have no determined

position. They like to score goals and

be close to the goal, like all the kids,

but at that age they all run behind

the ball without knowing very well

what position they have.

Does the dog take part in the

games they play at home?

No way...at least we try not to

because he is too big, too rough

and he breaks the ball!. Or

unintentionally he throws himself

on top [of the ball] and he has huge

legs. It’s difficult, so we try to leave him out.

Do you like to take the dog for a walk?

We go out from time to time. [But] not much

because it is complicated to go out with the dog

all together.

Do you have any habits?

I have many. Before going to sleep I like to leave

the table ready for the next morning. And that

during breakfast everyone is always in their

place, in the same place. And when I get home I

take off my shoes right away, and if I’m confident

with others I also do it at their home. And then I

also have others that I prefer to keep to myself.

Winning Golden Shoes is a habit. Do you

dream of continuing to win it?

I dream of continuing to win trophies at club

level. I want to win the Champions League again.

This is the challenge we have: to add one more

Champions League to the showcase, and this

leads to individual awards.

When you win such a prize, how many

messages do you get on your mobile phone?

Many. In the last [case] there were about 300.

There were some people who I did not know that

they had my number and they congratulated me.

Are you addicted to your mobile phone?

More or less. I like it. At home we try to leave

it and do things together and not be crazy with

our mobiles.

Talk to us about Mateo...

He is very special. He is

continually doing new things or

behaviours that attract attention,

but all three [boys] are special

and each has his own personality

and things [that make them

who they are]. The three are

very different.

Mateo is already a character...

Yes, but if I talk a lot about him,

then the others throw it back in

my face.

Well, tell use about Thiago.

How is he?

Thiago, despite his age as he will

turn seven now, is a very mature

and very intelligent person. He is

LIONEL MESSI

Record...with his six ESM Golden Shoe awards

Timing...taking
on Virgil Van Dijk