Lionel Messi on Tuesday attributed his stunning achievements to hard work and sacrifice as his Barcelona side prepare for the first game of their Asian tour in Thailand.
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The Spanish champions have returned to Asia three years after their last tour of the continent – home to a huge fan base and prime marketing territory.
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After facing Thailand's national side on Wednesday, Barca travel to Kuala Lumpur to play a Malaysia XI on August 10 before returning to Europe.
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Quizzed on the secret of his success at a UNICEF event in Bangkok, the Argentine four-time World Player of the Year said dedication was the only route to the top.
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"You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it," he said.
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"Training is very important. Now we have no competition we are training a lot. When the season starts we have to play matches so we will train only one or two hours a day."
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The diminutive 26-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable career in a Barca team widely considered one of the finest sides of all time.
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Speaking at the event with the club's partner charity UNICEF, Messi advised members of Thailand's Special Olympics "unified" football team – players with and without intellectual disabilities – to lap up the experience when they travel to Brazil next year for the Global Unified Cup.
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"The most important thing is to enjoy the experience," said Messi, who will be hoping to fire Argentina to glory at the 2014 World Cup, also next year in Brazil.
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"The chance to travel to a new place, meet new people... whether you win or lose is not the important part."
Lionel Messi is an epitome of humilty...That's what I love about him and his football career. He is a great man anytime anyday when it comes to football.
That is how so many great men came to be Lionel Messi. It always start from a very humble beginning. I believe u!