Interview Key Points

Here are the key topics and points discussed in the interview:

Current Club Situation & Finals

The interviewee is currently in a happy and special moment, playing in another final for his club.

• This is a significant achievement for the club, especially considering they recently won a title and played another final.
• The interviewee expresses pride in playing a final in this club, especially for the MLS.

Career Achievements & Records

The interviewee has an exceptional career marked by numerous finals and historical records.

• He is mentioned as potentially playing in his 43rd final.
• He is recognized as the all-time leading assist provider and the biggest winner at the club level in football history.
• He is described as an "animal" due to his success.

Competitiveness and Mentality

A core aspect of the interviewee's success is his strong competitive drive and forward-thinking mindset.

• He openly admits to being competitive and enjoying winning.
• He acknowledges periods of struggle but emphasizes always trying to bounce back.
• The "secret" to always aiming higher is not something he consciously plans; it's more about an innate drive.

Living in the Moment vs. Future Focus

The interviewee discusses how his perspective on success has evolved over time.

• He realizes and values past achievements more in retrospect, as during his career, the focus was always on the next game and next objective.
• The constant demand of playing every three days, especially at big clubs like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and for the national team, prevented him from fully savoring wins.
• The daily grind and the need to constantly win meant that immediate enjoyment of a victory was short-lived, as the focus shifted to the next challenge.
• He now values past accomplishments more as time passes and he views them from a distance.

Upcoming Final Preparation

The team is actively preparing for the upcoming final.

• They have begun analyzing the rival and studying match footage.
• The team is in good form, feeling strong, confident, and hopeful.
• Playing at home is considered a significant advantage, despite some past irregularities at home.

Childhood Dreams and Early Career

The interviewee reflects on his humble beginnings and how his dreams evolved.

• A video shows him as a child practicing skills in his backyard.
• His initial childhood dream was to play for Newell's Old Boys and become a professional.
• His career took an unexpected turn when he moved to Barcelona at 13 and debuted there, exceeding his wildest dreams.
• He has experienced far more than he could have imagined.

On-Field Personality vs. Off-Field Demeanor

His personality undergoes a significant shift when he steps onto the pitch.

• He describes himself as shy and introverted off the field.
• On the field, he transforms, becoming vocal, competitive, and driven to win and score.
• This intensity continues to this day, and he acknowledges not always controlling his emotions during games.
• He believes that whatever happens on the field, within reason, is valid and stays there.

Teammates' On-Field Behavior

He comments on the intensity of some teammates when playing against opponents.

• He refers to Paredes and De Paul as "unbearable" towards rivals and referees.
• He clarifies that these players are fantastic and down-to-earth off the field, but transform during matches.
• This transformation is part of their focus and drive to perform.

Leandro Paredes's Current Form

The interviewee praises Leandro Paredes's impact at Boca Juniors.

• He believes Paredes is currently the best Argentine footballer.
• He notes that Paredes's arrival has significantly strengthened Boca, especially at home.
• Paredes's game, his ability to organize the team, and his positive influence on team chemistry are highlighted.
• He expresses personal happiness for Paredes, considering him a friend.

The 2026 World Cup & Personal Aspirations

The interviewee discusses the upcoming World Cup and his potential involvement.

• He advises someone to book their trip but is unsure about his own participation at this stage.
• He explains that his current season's schedule differs from European leagues, with a pre-season in January/February followed by a busy period of games.
• He emphasizes taking things day by day and being realistic about his fitness and performance.
• He felt good and enjoyed the current season, with its physical demands and long travel.

Argentina National Team Strength & Dynamics

He speaks highly of the current Argentine national team and its collective spirit.

• He highlights the extraordinary talent within the squad, citing Cuti Romero's spectacular goals.
• He emphasizes the continued desire and motivation within the team since Scaloni took over.
• The team is composed of "winners" with strong mentalities, which is contagious.
• Intense competition exists even in training, demonstrating the team's commitment.
• New players are consistently emerging, and the strong team dynamic makes it easier for newcomers to integrate.
• Winning the previous World Cup provides significant confidence and relief for future preparations.

Lionel Scaloni's Coaching Style

The interviewee explains why Lionel Scaloni is so effective in motivating the team.

• Scaloni established a clear vision and line from day one.
• His football knowledge, game planning, and close relationship with the players are key.
• He understands how to connect with each player individually on a human level.
• Scaloni's inclusive approach, bringing in new and lesser-known players, keeps everyone motivated and feeling they have a chance.

National Team Call-up & Relationship with Scaloni

He discusses his ongoing conversations with Scaloni regarding his national team future.

• Scaloni would like him to be involved, but they have a relationship of trust where they can discuss these matters openly.
• He reiterates his day-by-day approach to his career.

The "Finalissima" Match

He mentions the upcoming "Finalissima" against Spain but expresses uncertainty about its status.

• He is unsure if the match will even take place.
• His current focus is on his pre-season, which significantly alters his preparation and perspective.

Player's Generational Impact & Self-Perception

He reflects on his impact and how he views himself.

• He strives to be himself and live day by day without pretense or concern for external opinions.
• He values his close circle of family and friends and enjoys simple things like vacations in Rosario.
• He shares anecdotes about his desire to return to Argentina for holidays, even if it meant minor conflicts with his club schedule.
• He leads a normal, family-oriented life despite his fame.
• He acknowledges that younger players are developing faster than he did at the same age.

Pep Guardiola's Influence

He speaks with immense admiration for Pep Guardiola, considering him the best coach.

• He recounts his initial encounter with Guardiola and their subsequent relationship at Barcelona.
• He describes Guardiola as unique, with a special ability to inspire and prepare teams.
• He believes Guardiola's tactical genius and ability to transform teams and leagues are unparalleled, citing his success at Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Tactical Development Under Guardiola

Guardiola significantly influenced his tactical understanding and on-field role.

• He credits Guardiola with his tactical growth, particularly in understanding movement and reading games.
• Guardiola was the one who deployed him as a "false nine," a role that was new but ultimately suited him.
• He adapted to playing as a winger, a position he had never played before, showcasing his development.

Best Year of His Career & Statistics

He finds it difficult to pinpoint a single best year due to various factors and his approach to the game.

• He prefers to focus on his overall game and impact rather than just statistics.
• He mentions years where he won major titles with both Barcelona and the national team.
• He acknowledges the 2012 season where he scored 91 goals but emphasizes that he doesn't play for records.
• He sees statistics as a consequence of his play, not a primary objective.

The Importance of Family

Family is the absolute core of his life and support system.

• His family has been his constant support, especially during difficult times with the national team.
• He highlights how his family often suffers more than he does, enduring criticism and media scrutiny while he was focused on his club.
• He values their unwavering support, especially during periods of public criticism.
• The close bond with his family and his partner's family makes everything easier.

Repeating World Cup Success

He is optimistic about the team's chances but acknowledges the difficulty of winning the World Cup again.

• He believes the current group is determined to try and win again.
• He understands that the World Cup is incredibly difficult to win, with many strong contenders.
• He recalls how close they came to elimination in previous matches, highlighting the role of luck and individual brilliance (like Emiliano Martínez).
• Winning the previous World Cup has removed a "burden" from the country, but it also presents new challenges as opponents will be even more motivated to beat the reigning champions.
• He names other strong contenders like Spain, France, England, Brazil, and Germany.

Personal Involvement in Future World Cups

He expresses a strong desire to be involved in future World Cups.

• He hopes to be part of the next World Cup, not just watching on television.
• He believes playing in a World Cup creates a unique and special atmosphere.