Messi: I love football, but family is above everything LaLiga Santander - FC Barcelona Interview out on Thursday

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi could open a museum with the number of trophies he has won in his career to this point, including five Ballon d'Ors and five Golden Boots, but to him, family is more important than all of that.

The Argentine spoke exclusively to MARCA and discussed family, Cristiano Ronaldo and finishing fifth in the Ballon d'Or voting this year; here are some snippets of what was said.

"I love football, but family is above everything," said Messi with regard to his outlook on life, before touching on more specific subjects.

"The rivalry with Cristiano was very healthy and very beautiful for the spectators," he said about the competition with the Portuguese.

"I heard the nominees for the Ballon d'Or and I knew I would not be in the fight," he said about finishing fifth, with Luka Modric winning the award.

In addition, Messi discussed Pep Guardiola, Ousmane Dembele, Neymar, Andres Iniesta, La Masia and the thinking at Barcelona, as well as other topics in the interview.