What's the story?

The director of Spanish station "Radio Estadio" has revealed an amusing moment he shared with Argentine Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami captain, during their conversation about the chants that Real Madrid fans directed at him at the Santiago Bernabeu, recalling behind-the-scenes stories from the career of the star who was crowned with the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport.

On his programme "Más de Uno", the station director celebrated Messi's football career and his historic achievements, alongside his charitable work and his relationship with the media. It all coincided with the forward being honoured with the award in recognition of what he has given to football on and off the pitch.

Messi recalls a memory from the Bernabeu

During one of the Clasico matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu, the station director recounted, his staff were forced to go undercover among the stands. A dispute had broken out at the time between the Spanish league association, led by Javier Tebas, and the radio stations over access to the grounds.

Midway through the match, the microphone of one of the broadcasters picked up a chant from a Real Madrid fan against Messi. The writer described it as one of the insults aimed at the Argentine star, with the fan shouting the word "hormone", a reference to the hormonal treatment Messi underwent during his childhood.

Years later, the station director met Messi at an exhibition in Barcelona, where he was helping the Argentine present his new boots. That was when Messi asked him about the truth of what was being said about him in the Spanish capital.

Messi said to him: "Tell me the truth, what do they say about me in Madrid?".

The station director told him about the chant the Real Madrid fan had launched at the Bernabeu. Messi's reaction caught him off guard. He burst out laughing, a scene that captured how he met the situation with humour rather than anger.

A deserved honour for an exceptional career

Turning to Messi's trophy-laden career, the station director noted that lifting the World Cup with Argentina marked a historic milestone in his journey, alongside his charitable contributions, which have become more prominent with the passing of the years.

He also praised the character of the Argentine star. Messi tends towards calm and speaks little, preferring to express himself through football. That is exactly what has made his media appearances draw such special attention.