Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national team and star of Inter Miami, moved the world once again — this time far from the pitch. During his appearance at the America Business Forum in Miami, the Argentine icon opened up with an intimate reflection about the origins of his talent, offering one of the most profound statements of his career:
“God gave me a gift. He chose me.”

In a relaxed yet meaningful setting, Messi spoke from a place rarely explored by global sports figures — spirituality. And he did so with the natural simplicity of someone who isn’t trying to impress, but simply expressing what he believes.

“God Chose Me”: The Phrase That Silenced the Room

The moment came after he was asked one of sports’ timeless questions:
Are champions born or made?

Messi’s answer was direct, honest, and personal.
“I’ve always said that God gave me a gift, that He chose me. And since I was very young, I was like that — I had it.”

The crowd listened in complete silence. It wasn’t a scripted quote or a polished marketing line. It was Messi explaining, from experience, that his talent is not only the product of effort but also of something he believes goes beyond human explanation.

A Gift Isn’t Enough: Sacrifice Shapes Legends

Still, Messi made it clear that a divine gift doesn’t take anyone to the professional level on its own.
“Along the way, I made a lot of sacrifices, a lot of effort to strengthen that gift I had.”

His message was sharp: the gift may be the spark, but the work builds the career.

The World Cup champion noted that the world is full of talented players — young athletes with extraordinary abilities who could succeed at the highest level. But very few actually make it.
“There are many people with talent. Very good people everywhere. But to be a professional you have to make huge sacrifices.”

With those words, Messi dismantled the romantic myth of pure talent. He acknowledged that his ability was born with him — yes — but greatness came through discipline, resilience, and relentless dedication.

A Reflection That Goes Beyond Football

Messi closed his reflection with the same thought that started it: gratitude.
“I’m grateful to God because He gave me the most important thing.”

For him, talent is the spark; work is the journey; faith is the foundation.

In an era where success is often explained through statistics, data, and methodology, Messi reminded everyone that there is still room for the mysterious, the personal, and the spiritual — and he did it at a moment when no one expected it.