Fans rarely get much information regarding Messi’s life outside of football. However, in a recent interview, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner opened up about his various eccentricities and pet peeves.

They include taking his shoes off as soon as he enters the house, making it his goal to clean the table before going to bed, and having a pre-arranged configuration with him, wife Antonela, and children Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro all having particular places.

Messi is a passionate family man who was recently witnessed cheering on his son Thiago at a Miami academy game.

You can’t picture him being too harsh on his children, but in a lengthy conversation with OLGA, he stated that none of them are permitted to have phones.

Messi told Albiceleste Talk, “I’m not one to use emojis on WhatsApp.”

“None of my children own a cell phone.” I don’t send as much audio since I prefer to convey more messages.”

Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo agrees, refusing to give his eldest kid Cristiano Jr. a phone despite repeated requests.

According to the Daily Mail, Ronaldo stated, “My oldest child will be 12 years old soon, and he constantly asks me, Daddy, can I have a phone, can I have a phone, can I have a phone?”

“I tell him, ‘Cristiano, you have time.'”

“I am aware that this young generation is one step ahead of their peers, and I agree that we must capitalize on this, but not become obsessed with technology.”

“Give them but only for a limited time, not forever.” That, I believe, is the essential point here.”

Though Messi is opposed to his children having phones, he did spend £175,000 on 35 gold 24-carat iPhones for Argentine players and staff following the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar.

Each phone was custom-made, with each player’s name and number, as well as the Argentina crest.