Barcelona star Lionel Messi has revealed he has not had the need to buy footballs to his three-year old son, Thiago.
While the world has seen a lot of successful footballing heirs, Messi's revelation comes as a disappointment to fans who were waiting to see what Thiago could do on the turf.
"I don't buy him many balls or force him to play with them because he doesn't like them that much," Messi said during an interview with popular Argentine TV personality Mingo, as quoted by Sport English.
However, the 29-year-old is hopeful that his Spanish club's programme to train players' kids will kindle the interest in Thiago.
"Let's see if he gets hooked that way, it would be a good start," the Barcelona forward revealed.
Messi also said he decided to dye his hair platinum blonde as he wanted to start afresh after the 2016 Copa America disappointment. He decided to quit international football in June 2016 before making a return in the World Cup Qualifier against Uruguay in September.
Messi's decision to hang his boots came after he failed to lead his side past the final hurdle in three major tournaments in the last two years.
"I made a change to start from zero. A lot had gone on, things had happened, and I said to myself: 'I have to break this and start again,'" Messi said.
After being persuaded by former players, coaches and fans alike, Messi decided to make a U-turn. He said he felt grateful for the support and maintained he did not deceive anybody.
"From the moment I said that, the fans showed me a lot of affection and I'm really grateful, I couldn't come back. I did not deceive anybody when I retired, I felt that," he said.
