Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega has said Lionel Messi has not changed since he was a kid despite his amazing career as a footballer.
Both players grew up in the Argentine city of Rosario and played youth football alongside each other before Banega left for Boca Juniors’ academy as a 13-year-old in 2000.
Messi joined Barca one year later but both players are still tight buddies, especially when Banega followed him to Spain in 2008 as he signed for Valencia.
Reacting recently to reports on Messi’s character, Banega revealed that he is the same since he was a child and they meet up from time to time to discuss life back home in Rosario.
His words, “In all honesty, he’s never changed,”
“Whenever we meet we have a hug and we don’t talk about football, we talk about our families and how we are.”
On if Messi is the best player he has played with, “Yes, I don’t think there is another one. Look at everything he has done and during that time he has stayed among the best. I think he is the best.”
On if he will go back to Argentina after Sevilla, “I have not said anything (about a new contract),”
“I am calm because the truth is that I am very comfortable at the club and I am not in a hurry.
“I am very happy here. I’ve been here for many years, my family is fine, my daughters were born here and a return (to Argentina) is a long way off.”
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