Lionel Messi makes his children follow strict phone rule

Lionel Messi has revealed his stance on his children having mobile phones.

Fans don't often get too much information about Messi off the pitch and what he's like. But in an interview last week, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner opened about his many quirks and pet peeves.

They included taking his shoes off as soon as enters the house, as well as making it his mission he table before he goes to bed and then there is a pre-arranged formation, with he, wife Antonela and kids Thiago, Mateo and Ciro all having specific seats.

Messi is a devoted family man and was recently spotted watching his son Thiago at an academy game in Miami.

You can't imagine him being too hard on his kids but in a lengthy chat with OLGA, said that none of them are allowed phones.

'I'm not one to use emojis on WhatsApp," Messi said, as relayed by Albiceleste Talk.

"None of my children have a cell phone yet. I don't send as much audio, I prefer more messages.”

Image: Getty

The view is shared by Messi's long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has refused to give his eldest son Cristiano Jr, a phone despite asking him regularly.

As per the Daily Mail, Ronaldo said: "My oldest child is going to be 12 years old soon and he asks me every time, 'Daddy, can I have a phone, can I have a phone, can I have a phone.'

"I say to him, 'Cristiano, you have time.'

"I know as well that this young generation are one step ahead of their age so I agree that we have to take advantage of that but not to be obsessed about technology.

"Give them but with a period of time, not give them all the time. I think that’s the main point here."

Image: Getty

Though Messi might not be in favour of his children having phones, he did splash out £175,000 on 35 gold 24-carat iPhones for Argentine players and staff after the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.

Each phone was completely customised, featuring each player's name and number, as well as the Argentina crest.

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Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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