Buenos Aires, Jan 7: Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has once again captured global attention — this time not for his exploits on the pitch, but for a quirky revelation about his personal life.

In a candid interview with Luzu TV, the 38-year-old superstar shared details about how he unwinds, his family life, and his hopes for the upcoming World Cup.

Messi, fresh off leading Inter Miami to their maiden MLS Cup victory, admitted that his favourite drink is not the typical fine wine or champagne one might expect. Instead, he enjoys mixing wine with Sprite, a combination he jokingly described as something that “hits faster.”

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The revelation sparked curiosity among fans, who were surprised by the simplicity and peculiarity of his choice.

The Argentine legend explained that the drink suits him perfectly, especially in Miami’s warm climate, where it helps him relax after intense matches and training sessions. “I like wine, but if not, I have my usual: wine with Sprite. So it hits fast, haha!” Messi said with a smile.

Messi at Home

Beyond his unusual beverage preference, Messi opened up about his personal life, describing himself as someone who values solitude. With three children — Thiago, 13, Mateo, 10, and Ciro, 8 — running around at home, Messi admitted that he often craves quiet moments to recharge.

“I really like being alone. The mess at home with the three kids running around everywhere ends up saturating me, and I like a moment of solitude,” he confessed.

Messi also described himself as highly structured, admitting that even small disruptions to his daily routine can affect his mood. His wife, Antonella, he said, knows this better than anyone. “Antonella can say many more things than I can. It depends on my mood on many things, on small stupid things,” he added.

What’s Next

While enjoying his winter break, Messi is already looking ahead to what could be his sixth — and likely final—World Cup appearance. Argentina, the reigning champions after their dramatic triumph in Qatar in 2022, will begin their campaign in June against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.

Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, expressed both hope and humility about his participation. “I hope I can be there. I’d love to be there. At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special,” he said.

He praised the current Argentina squad, highlighting their winning mentality and unity under coach Lionel Scaloni. “It’s a squad full of winners, with strong mindsets, who want to win more, and that’s contagious. You see it in training, in matches. Everyone gives their all, and that’s a huge strength of this group,” Messi explained.

Messi credited Scaloni and his staff for building a positive atmosphere that allows new players to integrate seamlessly. “Argentina needs to take advantage of this moment. Coming off winning the World Cup gives you confidence and relief to prepare competitions differently,” he said.