“I’m sorry Leo. Thank you so much! ☝🏼️🇦🇷⚽️”
Nicolas Vazquez’s (Argentine actor) open Letter to Lionel Messi
“I’m thinking about how the boys are doing, but especially how Leo is doing, not the best player in the world, not the #1, not the distinguished one, not the Messiah, not the god, but Leo Messi, the human being, because even though they forget it, and it’s because of him that they do, because they got used to the many things he has achieved; he is indeed human.
No one more wanted this Copa more than him, and the one before, and the other one. No one cried more than he did for not winning them, and he’ll always ask himself: why? I don’t think there is an answer.
Now, how can some Argentines, instead of helping him get up,embracing him, they attack him? Those successful ones who are talking with all certainty, what have they won? And if they had won something, who are they to judge and give their opinions so lightly? They are people who only value a player when he wins a cup? And when it’s not the case, they degrade him? A lot happens in sports. Clearly that could be why they hide in the shadows when one wins something but when he gets knocked down, they come out and attack.
I am thankful that you don’t always win Leo Messi, because this way I can tell my nephews that a draw or a loss exists. And they happen to you as well. That you don’t wear a cape, and you are not a super hero. That you cry, and tears fall off your face just like us, that you worry just like any of us and you too need a comforting hug. That tomorrow, you will get back up again and go back to winning, Because that’s life. If only they can understand and value it, maybe the would appreciate you more. Luckily, not all Argentines think like that. They exist, they do. But they are a minority. They are the ones who criticize and teach things they have never played from the couch at their homes, from their homes they are winners though. They only expect you to save them. Or to put it in better words, they expect to let off steams of their frustrations on someone like you.
What ego, what confidence they have to talk about a winner like you that way. And then there’s you Leo, with your calm gaze, your humility and your usual posture. You are not the bad one here. They are.
As a society, we should start to evolve and change once and for all.
How crazy of them not seeing the real you, not taking care of you,not enjoying you. Forgive them, they know not what they are doing! If they are not able to enjoy you, you the magical one, I don’t even want to imagine how they are in their daily lives.
I choose to enjoy you and take care of you.
Thank you for giving me the chills every time you dribble a ball, every time you score a goal or make others score hundreds of them. Thank you for taking the Argentine flag to such heights. And I’m not talking about football only, because you already do that, they should invent new records for you to enjoy because you have beaten all the current ones! I am talking about representing us as person, as an ambassador. You are wholesome, humble, magical, despite being the best! And you are not a machine, you are a human being.
For once, think about yourself, what your heart tells you do. Which is taking care of yourself. For once, no one is pressuring you, or bothering you in this moment.
With a heavy chest, after having cried with you, I tell you: I am here and I will accompany and embrace you!
I love you Leo!
Nicolas Vazquez”
[tranlsated by me]
