Lionel Messi Declares Love of Football Amid Claims He's Getting Fed Up in Spain

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has admitted he is still completely infatuated with the game of football despite suggestions he is beginning to get a little dismayed with life in Spain.

A report from Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) had hinted the forward was beginning to get fed up in Catalonia due to his ongoing tax controversies. However, any insinuations that the 28-year-old is starting to fall out of love with the sport seem to be wide of the mark, per Adidas Football (h/t Adam Smith of the MailOnline):

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Football has been my life since I was a kid. My style remains the same, I love every single minute I get on the pitch.

I know I have a great responsibility, and that there are objectives to accomplish, but I try to have fun too, because it's what I love to do.

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VI-Images/Getty Images

That much is evident in the manner in which Messi operates when he takes to the field at the Camp Nou. There’s clearly a huge amount of personal enjoyment in the way in which he glides past defenders, sets up team-mates and gets the better of goalkeepers with an array of inventive finishes. 

As we can see here courtesy of BBC Sporf, the swagger with which the Barcelona star plays delights supporters too:

Indeed, there’s still something raw about Messi’s style, even as he edges closer to the age of 30. His dribbling, feints, passing and shooting are far from conventional, and they are the kind of traits he would have forged as a youngster with an insatiable thirst for the game.

It’s an untouchable talent that has taken him so far. On Tuesday it was announced that the Argentina captain was in the running to win a fifth Ballon d’Or award at the end of the calendar year, per FIFA. This would represent a remarkable achievement. Messi is the big favourite to win the award too.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

After all, already this year Messi has helped Barcelona to the Copa del Rey, La Liga title, Champions League and European Super Cup. As we can see here courtesy of BarcaStat, there’s no player in any of European football’s top five leagues who has been as prolific as the Barcelona man in the calendar year either:

While supporters can often find it difficult to fathom, for a lot players there isn’t a pure love for the game. It’s a profession and a way to make a living for some figures and that’s evident by the manner in which they play. But there’s no way Messi’s affinity for football could ever be doubted.

Even after winning so many trophies and scoring so many goals, there’s a genuine pleasure that exudes from Messi whenever he makes a positive contribution. It’s what makes him such a popular figure within football, and it's the kind of approach that will ensure he continues to perform to immaculate standards for years to come yet.