Argentina star Lionel Messi gave an exclusive interview on his 37th birthday, in which he talked about how the Argentina team has changed in recent years and some of his own growth.

Let's talk about 2019, when you joined the national team coached by Scaroni and you played a friendly against Venezuela. It was a very different team, with all your old friends leaving. Some people joke that the current "friends Club" no longer exists.

Messi: "I remember at that time it was also difficult for me to reintegrate into that team, to return to the national team. Because they were new faces, I didn't know any of them. Even though I have been in the national team for a long time and am one of the veterans, it was difficult for me to integrate into this new team. They have already played a few friendlies together, won against Mexico, and also played a few games in Argentina, like against Guatemala."

Talking about the two games against Colombia and Mexico

Messi: "We had been together for a while and it was also the start of a new generation. Depaul was very helpful to me during that time."

Talking about depaul as the ice breaker

Messi: "His character reminds me of Lavezzi because Lavezzi is also a very cheerful person, very helpful to the team, who brings out the best in each of us. I remember the first few days, he approached me and we talked a lot. He had a similar experience at Valencia, so he helped me settle into the team more quickly. Besides, it is not easy for those young players to break the deadlock. They have to, because it's football. I think it was a help for both parties, for him to talk to me in that way and help me fit into the team. My attitude also changed and I stopped being shy and approached them because it was a whole new and different situation. Fortunately, it's easy because there are good people on the team and it's easier with good people."

Talking about the matches against Colombia and Paraguay

Messi: "We started badly against Colombia and Paraguay, Almani saved a penalty, and against Qatar there was a tactical change with the famous 4-3-1-2 formation, with De Paulo, Paredes, Loselso, Aguero and Lautaro forming the core. We didn't play like this before, we had some discussions and Scaroni decided to change because we had to win the game to qualify. Sometimes it is difficult to field three of these types of players because we don't contribute much defensively, but we have no choice but to go and win. We had the ability to shut down full-backs and we promised to help the coach and the team and fortunately we won."

We had Gago, Mascherano, then you, Di Maria, Aguero and Higuain.

Messi: "But Di Maria was in good form then, as were Higuain and Aguero. We adapted to that way, made some concessions in defence and then on the counter-attack we were very threatening. We were unbeaten in qualifying, especially against Colombia, which was a very good time. After that game against Brazil we felt we were playing well, not just the result, we were on top of the game. After that, we found the right players, especially the midfielders, who controlled the game most of the time. Our players in midfield rarely give the ball away and by keeping the ball for long periods we become stronger."

Talking about Argentina's midfield

Messi: "Although there are very few traditional midfield roles now, our midfielders have good skills and have found a similar combination to Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. It's not a comparison, but we found a similar combination in the national team. Previous national teams also had good performances, such as the 2016 Copa America, where we played very well. In 2015 we played well, but in 2016 we were more solid."

The dressing room in 2016 was the worst, with Mascherano and others saying it was the saddest moment.

Messi: "From a sad point of view, yes. Yes, yes, without a doubt, yes, because that was the third time, the third time. Consecutive (runners-up) because, as I said, we just played one Copa America. They did very well on a competition level and reached the final, clearly better than the other teams. Even in the final against Chile we didn't have many clear chances to score, but on a playing level we were dominant. And then we lost on penalties again. For these reasons, I have also issued my statement."

In that shootout, when you miss a penalty, you think the game is over, and from the performance on the field, you seem to care more about that mistake than what comes next.

Messi: "Yes, it's a bit like when I lost the ball against France. We talked earlier about being self-critical. At that moment I wanted, I really wanted to kill myself because it was the first penalty, the penalty that would have given us the lead. I wanted to kick harder, even though I knew I didn't need to. I knew Bravo would jump in that direction. Then I blamed myself for not letting the team take the lead after their mistake because I always thought the first penalty had to be scored and that was very important. But it didn't work out as expected."

Let's talk about another penalty. The only time Argentina trailed against France was when Mbappe scored the first penalty of the series. Then it's your turn to kick. Did you know you were gonna kick like that? What was going through your mind during that long walk to the penalty spot?

Messi: "I was thinking about staying calm, not betraying myself, not rushing out, not wanting to make mistakes, changing the way I played the penalty before because it was an important penalty, it meant a lot. After Mbappe scored the first penalty, I had to start playing. I decided to continue playing the way I had been playing penalty kicks. Just like I did against Holland."

Do you care about statistics and GPS? How do you see this applied to your performance?

Messi: "No, actually I don't care too much about statistics, about assists and goals, let alone about all the coaches and the GPS. I never cared how many miles I ran in a race, or how fast I ran, the statistics the coaches looked at. I don't know that that data might be important to them, helpful for the daily load of training or competition, but I personally have never been a friend of statistics and GPS."

Talking about him not diving

Messi: "Yes, because that's how I was brought up. I always played with the older kids, with my Cousins, with my brothers. They often kicked me because they were angry or just trying to get the ball. I always try to keep playing and keep possession of the ball. I like to have the ball at my feet and make chances. For me, the more I have the ball the better, the more fluid the game the better, and that helps my game as well."

Do you train at the same intensity as you do during competitions? For example, Scaroni said recently that Messi is also pushing to the limit in training. How do you feel about training?

Messi: "Yes, usually I give my all in training. Today, I know my body and know when I can go all out in training and when I can only go 80 or 90 percent. But it is true that when starting some position games, small matches or tournaments, I always want to win. It makes me angry not to win."

Mascherano told me that you decide when your team wins.

Messi: "Yes, I always want to win matches and when there is a tournament, take the final group photo. I don't really care about pictures, but if I'm going to take pictures, I want them to be winners. It makes me angry to lose."

Is that the same with your teammates?

Messi: "Yes, with my teammates, with the referee, with anyone, but they all know me and know that I will calm down quickly."

Also on the pitch, when the ball does not reach the top of the box, whether it is right or left, you are at the top of the box ready to receive the ball, and the ball does not reach you, your eyes are difficult to ignore.

Messi: "Yes, but the good thing is that we have a strong team and these things can happen and they have to happen. I don't think it's a problem to scold a teammate or tell him what's right or wrong, as long as it's for the good of the team and the collective. I think it has to happen. We have a very united team, we get along very well and it's OK for these things to happen. We all know each other. We know each other's personalities. We spent a lot of time together and had a lot of training opportunities. It doesn't matter if it happens, but it does make me angry."

Messi concluded: "Yes, I will continue to enjoy football until I decide to stop. Even if I am not a professional player anymore, I will continue to play with my children and friends because it is what I love and what most of us in Argentina love. We will keep playing until I decide to stop."