Madrid, Oct 1 (IANS) FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is probably the best footballer in the world and the 25-year-old believes he owes a great debt of gratitude to his club for making him into the player he is today.
“I learned everything here. I grew up here. I went to school here. I learned most things in Barcelona,” said Messi, reports Xinhua.
“I have always said I am grateful, because that’s the way it is.”
“The Barca youth team I was in was one of the best. That is why players such as (Gerard) Pique, Cesc (Fabregas) and I came out of it, as well as other players who have also made careers in Spain,” said Messi, who came to the club when he was only 13.
“There are players who are now at other clubs but you could see the majority of the players from our team would make a living at good clubs.”
Messi scored over 80 goals last season but insisted other things were more important than his goals.
“I would rather win titles with the team than score goals or win individual awards. I would rather be a good person than the best footballer in the world and besides one day all of this will come to an end,” said the striker.
