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Football Insider

Lionel Messi: A Glimpse into His Personal Life and Journey to Mental Health

Lionel Messi, the iconic football star, recently opened up about his private life and past struggles with mental health. Discover more about his unique perspective on family life, therapy, and solitude in this insightful interview.

Lionel Messi: A Glimpse into His Personal Life and Journey to Mental Health

Lionel Messi has admitted he is "weirder than sh*t" in a revealing interview about his private life and previously getting therapy. The Inter Miami star, who has tended to stay away from the limelight and do his talking on the pitch, has spoken about what home life is like with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and why he sought help for his mental health at Barcelona. The Argentine international is arguably the greatest player of all time, but for one who garners so much attention, the 38-year-old has always come across as a shy and reserved character, eager to avoid taking up too many column inches. And when his work is done on the football pitch, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace seeks a modicum of normality. He said in July 2025: "Obviously, when I enter into my house, with my family. I try to be a normal dad, a normal husband, like anybody else, assuming the responsibilities we all have, as a father, as a husband, and be a normal person. I am beyond everything else that happens to me — the fame [and] the recognition — I may have outside. Inside my house, I am a very normal person, like anybody else. I discipline the children, I put limits, play and share with them, with my wife and I live a very normal life as well."In an interview with Argentine channel, Luzu, Messi revealed that he likes nothing better than enjoying some alone time, especially after enjoying a tiring period with his children. The 2022 World Cup winner also admitted he is a bit of an oddball. He said, via Marca: "I'm weirder than sh*t. I really like being alone, I enjoy being alone. The mess at home with the three kids running around everywhere ends up saturating me and I like a moment of solitude. I'm very structured, if I have the day organised in a certain way and in the middle something happens that changes everything for me."When asked what things made him feel strange, he referred the question to his partner."Antonella can say many more things than I can, it depends on my mood on many things, on small stupid things," he said.Messi became a worldwide phenomenon when he rose to fame at Barcelona, winning multiple Champions Leagues, La Ligas, and Ballon d'Ors, among other trophies. But all that fame, pressure, and attention got to him as he tried to adjust to superstardom. He added, "I don't do therapy now. At the time I did, in Barcelona. I'm a lot of eating things myself, keeping problems to myself. I changed a lot. In sports, I talk a lot with my dad. In that sense, it was always my old man. I would finish with my old man and write to him. In the day to day, with my family. I really like being alone, I enjoy being alone. When the kids are running around the house, there's a lot of noise."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAs 2026 progresses, Messi has his sights set on having another successful season at Miami after their first-ever MLS Cup triumph, while trying to help Argentina defend their World Cup crown, this time in North America. Messi's Miami contract runs until 2028, and they are due to kick of their 2026 campaign away at LAFC on February 22.

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Inside Messi's Home: A Peek into his Normalcy

Lionel Messi, known for his extraordinary football skills, shared a rare glimpse into his personal life. Despite his global fame, Messi emphasizes the importance of being a normal husband and father behind closed doors. He values simplicity, discipline, and quality time with his wife and children, seeking a sense of normalcy away from the glitz and glamour of the spotlight.

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Embracing Solitude and Eccentricities

In a candid moment, Messi admitted to having a quirky side, enjoying solitude and structure in his daily routine. With a household bustling with three energetic children, he finds solace in moments of peace and quiet. His willingness to embrace his quirks and need for alone time offers a refreshing perspective on balancing public expectations with personal well-being.

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Struggles with Superstardom and Seeking Help

Despite achieving unprecedented success at Barcelona, Messi faced internal struggles as he grappled with fame, pressure, and the challenges of superstardom. Opening up about his past experiences with therapy, Messi highlighted the importance of addressing mental health issues and actively seeking support. Through introspection and communication with his family, Messi navigated his personal development and embraced positive changes in his life.

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Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations

As Lionel Messi continues his journey with Inter Miami, focusing on new challenges and victories, he remains grounded in his commitment to family, personal growth, and athletic excellence. With upcoming endeavors on the horizon, including defending Argentina's World Cup title, Messi's story serves as a reminder of the multidimensional nature of success and the resilience required to navigate life's complexities.

Published on Jan 7, 2026