Lionel Messi’s nephew and godson, Tomas Messi, has revealed the emotional toll his uncle’s global fame has taken on their family.
Speaking to La Nacion, Tomas admitted: “We have suffered a lot as a family. But we are always there for each other. He relies on us and we help him… Leo is another member of the family, and we treat him as such.”
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Tomas, who once dreamed of becoming a footballer before turning to journalism, described Messi as deeply family-oriented. “Despite living abroad, he has always been very family-oriented. He makes sure to check in on you, we visit him whenever we can,” he said.
Messi’s nephew also reflected on seeing his uncle play his last competitive game on Argentine soil during a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on September 5. “We are a little sad after the last official match. It’s the final stretch, and we never want it to end, but what he is experiencing is beautiful,” Tomas added.
He went on to recall the pressure of carrying the Messi surname: “At the time, my surname affected me. I felt it was a burden because it seemed like I had to be just like my uncle.”
Messi, now 38 and still starring for Inter Miami, remains undecided on whether he will play at next summer’s World Cup, with Tomas saying his uncle “doesn’t say anything” and will “decide when the time comes.”
The Argentina captain continues to add to his record-breaking tally of 114 goals in 194 appearances, as he prepares for upcoming fixtures against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.