In an insightful interview on the YouTube channel Miró de Fútbol, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi reflected on key moments of his career.

From leaving Rosario at age 13 to learning strict lessons under Pep Guardiola, the Argentine icon shared personal memories of his time at Barcelona.

Messi recalled the emotional farewell when he left Argentina for Spain.

— I was only 13, — he said. — I had my friends, school, everything in Rosario. But I was happy and excited to see what life in Barcelona would be like.

— I remember the whole neighborhood came out to say goodbye. They went to Rosario airport to see us off. It was impressive, like something out of a movie.

— They weren’t saying goodbye to Leo Messi, they were saying goodbye to the Messi family who were leaving for Barcelona.

His early years in Spain were also challenging as he continued his education in Catalonia alongside other La Masia youths.

— I finished school in Spain. I completed the first through fourth years of secondary school here, where all La Masia kids went, — he recalled.

Looking back, he regrets not taking more advantage academically.

— I tell my children to make the most of it, because I regret not learning English when I was a kid and had the time.

— Especially when you meet famous people and think, ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time!’ When you’re a kid, you don’t realize it.

His start on the pitch was equally testing.

— The first year was tough because I couldn’t play for six months as I didn’t have a transfer.

— In my first game, I injured my tibia and was out for another three months.

— The first year was long, but the next one wasn’t, and soon I was almost playing for the second team. Everything happened very quickly.

His senior debut soon followed.

— You always remember your first day in everything, with the U-20s, with the seniors.

— Afterward, you take everything for granted, and sometimes the path takes you somewhere where you don’t enjoy what everything truly deserves.

Finally, Messi shared a powerful lesson from Pep Guardiola during Barcelona’s golden era. Even when dominating matches, standards never dropped.

— I always tried to be respectful. When we were 4-0 up after 20 minutes, Guardiola always told us ‘The best way to respect your opponent is to keep scoring more goals’.