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On Thursday, a couple days ahead of Saturday's Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC, Lionel Messi gave his first press conference since ing Inter Miami.
Messi, 36, led Inter to its first final in franchise history and now spoke of several topics in a packed press conference that had to close its doors due to lack of seats. He spoke for a long quarter of an hour.
MARCA, one of the media outlets in attendance, questioned him about the Ballon d'Or.
"I think I have said it many times during my career: the Ballon d'Or is a very important award because of what it means," Messi said. "For its recognition, it is one of the nicest awards in the world at an individual level. But I never gave importance, in quotation marks, to individual awards. The most important thing was the collective awards.
"I was lucky enough to win everything in my career, and the World Cup was what I was missing. That's why now, after Qatar, I'm thinking much less about that award.
"Now I'm enjoying my moment. I'm not thinking about the Ballon d'Or. If it comes, fine; and if not, I am satisfied that I have achieved my objectives and.... now I have others with this club. We came here for this, to help the club win titles and on a personal level I'm also thinking about that."
Lionel Messi on choosing Inter Miami
Choice of Miami: "We are in the place where we want to be. I didn't want to leave Barcelona, it was a decision that didn't depend on me, and the change to Paris was from one day to the next. That change was complicated, but here in Miami it is the opposite, very different."
Successful start at Inter: "I arrived with a lot of enthusiasm and to continue getting more results in my career. It was a surprise for those who don't see us on a daily basis, but we have been preparing for this. We have grown a lot since the arrival of 'Tata'. We are happy to have qualified for the ConcaChampions."
The decision went through many decisions with the family: "I do not think about the expansion of soccer in the United States, I came here to enjoy soccer and I chose this place for that. I am very happy for the decision I made for my family, for the day to day and the great reception of the United States in general. The stay has been spectacular. I am very happy with the moment I am enjoying."
Everything Messi. Half the Price.
Finishing settling in: "We still don't have the house where we are going to live for good, but the city is spectacular, we live quietly and happily. The kids start school soon and getting used to the day-to-day life was easier than I expected."
Physical adaptation: "It was a little difficult at first, it is very hot and humid... and sometimes you can feel it, but I have been adapting, I feel very comfortable. I don't have any problems with the synthetic fields."