Messi: My son criticises me and I have to explain myself when Barcelona don't win FC Barcelona An interview with the Argentine superstar

Barcelona go into Christmas as LaLiga Santander leaders thanks, in no small part, to Lionel Messi enjoying an incredible season.

The No.10 gave an interview to MARCA in which he discusses everything from Ousmane Dembele to the academy to defensive troubles to his family life.

One more year, and a fifth Golden Boot. What do you feel, are you not tired of winning?

"It's a nice prize for recognition and that's for everyone. It is a prize for the team, just as when a goalkeeper wins the Zamora, it is a general prize for the team and I'm happy to be able to win it again."

Five Golden Boots, five Ballon d'Ors, is the fifth Champions League all that is missing?

"It would be good. As we said at the beginning of the season, the Champions League is always special for what it means and we would like to win it again."

At this point in your life, is football still your priority or has family taken over?

"As soon as I had my children, the priority was always my family. It is the most important thing. Obviously I love football and I live for it, but family is above all."

Is three children enough or are you going for more?

"Ciro is just beginning to stand up. Antonela and I would like to have a girl but we'll see, it's still early."

We have seen your children Mateo and Thiago at the Camp Nou, what kind of things does he ask that catches your attention?

"The both like football a lot. Thiago understands more because he is older and discusses everything about the game. He is very involved."

Is he demanding of his father?

"Yes, yes... I already have a couple of criticisms. He follows Barcelona, LaLiga Santander and the Champions League. He likes it, asks questions, reports and he tells me when things are not so good. "

Is it true that when Barcelona lose you don't talk about football at home?

"It was before, but not now. It's always hard to digest defeats and poor performances, but Thiago forces me to comment on what happened and explain why we didn't win. We talk a lot more now."

You are on holiday in Argentina now, how will you celebrate Christmas?

"Whenever we can, we spend Christmas there. They are special and beautiful days; we all meet, the weather is good and we party. They are different days with the children and beyond that. With them you can enjoy it more because of Santa Claus."

Your teammate Marc-Andre ter Stegen was a substitute for Germany at the World Cup. Did you find it unfair given his season and the injury Manuel Neuer had at Bayern Munich?

"It was a surprise. Marc had had a great year but it's up to them."

What would you like more: to have a colleague like Leroy Sane or to work with Pep Guardiola again?

"It's always nice to play with great players. Although it's difficult, I would like to work with Guardiola again. He's one of the best coaches in the world."

In Holland there's a lot of talk about De Ligt and De Jong, and now in Spain as well. Have you seen them play a lot? Do you think they are players that can fit the style of Barcelona?

"They come from a school very similar to ours and they work in the same way. They play like us with the ball. They are young players with great precision, two very good players."

What is your impossible dream? Something you would like to do but know you can't?

"Nothing is impossible. We have to fight and give our all and achieve everything we set out to do. With that mentality, work and effort, nothing is impossible."

Recently you said that you have to improve your taking of penalties. Where do you get that improvement? Do you watch videos of goalkeepers and rehearse?

"Training and watching. Today we study everything: the fouls, the penalties, the game. Everything is analysed and nothing is left to chance."

However, when you put the ball down for a free-kick it is almost half a goal. Is there much difference between penalties and free-kicks?

"It's different. In one you have a barrier and distance, it's a different type of shot and you don't have to pressure of having to score. With a penalty you have more to lose than win and the goalkeeper feels more comfortable. The pressure is very different."

Last year we spoke about Barcelona breaking more defensive records than offensive ones. What is happening this year that the team is conceding so many goals?

"This year we are playing 4-3-3 again. Last year we had two lines of four and left very little space and it was more difficult to create goals. Now, with the 4-3-3 we have more possession and play better, but we are more disarmed in defence and opposition teams find the gaps. In recent games we have improved defensively and hopefully that improves."

Are you surprised by the quality of players coming from the youth system?

"At first yes, but they've been training with us for some time now and you realise they are good players. The club does well to progress them and let them train with us and they grow more from that. It's an important model."

Do you think one day we will see eleven youth team players play for Barcelona again?

"It's complicated. I think that they see it's not impossible to reach the first team and in the future it could happen but it will take time."

Sergio Busquets said a few days ago that there is a hurry for young players to reach the top and they need to remove themselves from a lot of 'nonsense'. Do you agree?

"We come from another era. Today we live in another situation and we have to adapt to what we see. It's true that you players get tempting offers. Those below think it's difficult to get to the first team, while in other places they are given that opportunity, and not just money. It's tempting."

Jordi Alba has no fixed substitute in the squad this season, Samuel Umtiti still has his problems and Rafinha is out for the season. Is the Barcelona squad too thin? Do you think it should be reinforced in January?

"It's a matter for the coach and the club. Personally, I think we have a great group. In addition, there are players in the academy that we've already seen can play without any problems."

Do you miss Andres Iniesta?

"Obviously, both on and off the pitch. We shared many years sharing a lot of things, a lot of time, training sessions, matches and situations away from football. Of course it is strange."

This season LaLiga Santander is more equal than ever.

"Nowadays it's difficult to win against anyone and the league is very close and hard to win."

Is it good that the league is more competitive in the interest of the competition and it involves more than the big three?

"That was always said of the Spanish league but the reality is there are many competitions where the same thing happens: two or three teams challenge and the others play another championship. It's good for the competition and the fans."

This subject is spoken about a lot, but were you surprised to finish fifth in the Ballon d'Or ranking?

"If I'm honest, I don't give much importance to it although it is a big prize. I knew this season I didn't have the chance to win it and I wasn't surprised."

This year the team have played well in the Champions League. Is there a special motivation there?

"Every year there is a desire to win the Champions League. It is unique, special, the most beautiful competition I have played. It is a totally different competition that we all want to win."

Ousmane Dembele's goal against Tottenham was spectacular. He is a great player, but gives the impression that he still has to mature away from the pitch.

"On the pitch he is a phenomenon and it depends on him, he has all the opportunity in the world to do what he wants. He can be one of the best. On the other hand, he's a young guy who is adapting to the city and the club. The less you speak about it, the better. It's necessary to leave him so he can be calm. He has already realised his mistakes and has rectified them. We are going to help him focus on football."

Are you surprised that Real Madrid are missing Cristiano Ronaldo so much?

"At the beginning of the season I said they are a great club, one of the best in the world and with a lot of great players, but anyone would miss Cristiano. He scores a lot of goals and gives you many other things so it doesn't surprise me."