Lionel Messi’s former agent Fabian Soldini recently claimed that Lionel Messi was unable to sleep at night for over a year after losing the 2014 Brazil World Cup final against Germany.
One of the greatest of all time, Lionel Messi has won it all in his great club career. However, it took him 16 long years to win his first trophy with the national team.
Lionel Messi earned his first major honor with Argentina last year when he defeated Brazil in the Copa América final by a solo. Messi played great football throughout the tournament. He won the Golden Boot award, the most assist ever given in an award, and was also named the most valuable player in the Copa América.
The following year Messi added one more trophy to his showcase. Argentina defeated European champions Italy in the Finalissima. Although Messi did not score, he provided 2 assists and was awarded as the man of the match.
What was the effect of losing the World Cup final on Lionel Messi?
Now Lionel Messi will lead Argentina in the next World Cup in Qatar 2022. So far it is the only trophy that Messi has not managed to lift in his entire career. He was very close in 2014.
Argentina played excellent football in the group stage and knockout rounds before reaching the final against Germany. The final match was very even. Neither team managed to break the tie in regulation time.
It was Germany who got the last laugh when super substitute Mario Gotze scored the winner in the 114th minute of the match. Losing this match haunted Messi for a long time. His agent Fabián Soldini has also revealed something similar.
Speaking to TyC Sport, Soldini said: “When I was at his house, after 10 years of not seeing him, he told me: ‘Fabi, it’s been a year since I woke up at night thinking about the final in Brazil. I can’t sleep And I can assure you. He flips it over.”
However, things have changed now. Messi and Argentina will arrive as one of the favorites for the World Cup. They are undefeated in their last 35 games and are one of the fittest teams in the world.
Speaking about Argentina’s possibilities, Soldini said: “I see him as very mature, very calm. I see the group very united. It seems to me that he deserves it with the race that he did, up there”.
Just like Argentina, Lionel Messi is also in great shape. The PSG striker has scored 12 goals for his club in all competitions. On top of that, he has also provided 13 assists for his club. Messi has scored nine times in his last three appearances for Argentina. In general, he is currently one of the fittest players.
Messi will now hope to maintain his form and arrive in Qatar in the best possible shape.
