Lionel Messi visits Expo Dubai 2020
Dubai Expo 2020 ambassador and football superstar Lionel Messi visited the Expo and toured a number of key attractions around the site, including the Argentina Pavilion, the UAE Pavilion, the Surrealist Water Fountain and Al-Wasl Plaza.
What did you think of what you saw during your visit to Expo 2020? How much has changed since your last visit in February 2020?
The visit was impressive. I had come in 2020, where there wasn't a lot of things yet, and to come back at this time and find everything I experienced... I was surprised and very nice, very much so. When I came [in 2020], there was practically nothing, and in a year and a bit they turned it into something extraordinary.
What was your personal highlight of this visit?
Everything in general, each pavilion has its own thing, its place, it shows you its culture, its country, it makes you see and learn from each one of them. And I think the place is very big and impressive.
How is your new life playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)? Have you and your family already adapted to the city?
It was a big change for us because we had been living in the same place for many years [playing for Barcelona] and it was not easy to change, but the truth is that we are very well in a spectacular city, in one of the best teams in the world, so we are very happy.
PSG's main objective is to win the UEFA Champions League, and can you achieve that objective?
The objective is to try to achieve everything we play for, obviously the objective next year is the Champions League, which we are trying to achieve, and we came very close. I think it's everyone's objective in a special competition where all the big teams want to win it and we will also try to achieve it.
You were the captain of Argentina to win the Copa America in the summer, do you see your country as one of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup next year?
Well, I don't know about favourites, but I think we are in a good place after winning the Copa America. I think it helps a lot to keep growing, to keep getting stronger and to get to the World Cup in the best way to compete and try to fight for the dream of everything.
Sustainability, recycling and renewable energy are important aspects of Expo 2020, which aims to help create a better future. How can sport communicate that message to the world?
If we are aware that through football we can be an example to others, not only in this, but in many things, and we always try to give it and do our best to try to make people aware that everything is possible and we can continue to improve in everything.
Text, photos and video: Expo Dubai 2020.
