Lionel Messi has admitted he is "weirder than s**t" in a candid interview with Luzu TV this week, offering fans a glimpse into his life away from football.
The 38-year-old, widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to grace the game, revealed an unconventional beverage choice that helps him unwind.
"I like wine, but if not, I have my usual: wine with Sprite. So it hits fast, haha!" the Inter Miami star explained.
The Argentine legend said the unusual concoction proves particularly refreshing in Miami's sweltering heat, helping him decompress after matches.
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Messi also opened up about his need for personal space amid the demands of family life with wife Antonella, 37, and their three sons Thiago, 13, Mateo, 10, and Ciro, eight.
"I'm weirder than s**t, 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 said.
The forward described himself as highly regimented, noting that unexpected changes to his daily schedule can throw him off entirely.
Lionel Messi admits he likes his wine with sprite
|LUZUTV
"Antonella can say many more things than I can, it depends on my mood on many things, on small stupid things," Messi added.
Messi is now preparing for what will almost certainly be his final World Cup appearance this summer, when the tournament takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina head into the competition as defending champions following their triumph in Qatar four years ago, where Messi netted twice in the final against Spain.
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Lionel Messi has seen it all during his career in football | PAThe forward, who will turn 39 before the tournament begins, expressed cautious optimism about his involvement.
"I hope I can be there. I've said before that I'd love to be there. At worst, I'll be there watching it live, but it will be special," he said.
Messi praised the collective mentality that manager Lionel Scaloni has instilled in the national team setup.
"The truth is we have extraordinary players and it's been shown for the years - especially the desire and excitement since Scaloni took over," he said.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner described his teammates as a "squad full of winners" whose competitive drive is infectious, evident in both training sessions and competitive fixtures.
Winners of the last five World Cup finals | PA"Argentina needs to take advantage of this moment. Coming off winning the World Cup gives you confidence and relief to prepare competitions differently," Messi added.
Argentina face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage, with their opening fixture scheduled for 17 June.
They won the last World Cup back in 2022, beating France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Whether they can retain the trophy this summer remains to be seen.