The Thought Leader Revolution Podcast
Sep 4, 2026 · 4 min · 5 segments
*"If you never had a chance to see Leo Messi play, I'm sorry. He's still playing club football, so if you have a chance to see him play now, please continue to see him play — but learn from his…
Nicky BillouHost
A couple of days ago, the great Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football.
And the reason I got teary-eyed is because Messi is one of the greatest of all time.
Some people, I'm not among them, say that he's actually the greatest of all time.
He scored the third most number of goals of any player beyond, behind, excuse me, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pele.
I happened to be a Toronto FC season ticket holder, and I got to see him in the 2024 season where he didn't play for most of the game.
And then I got to see him this season, the 2026 season, where he did play for the entire game.
And it's sad when a great man who's meant so much to so many steps away from the stage because men like him inspire the rest of us to look within for the greatness that we possess and to step forward into life pursuing that greatness.
And his dazzling and brilliant play has been something that's turned so many of us happy, joyous, inspired.
And it's my belief that if you're someone who loves football, Messi stepping away from it is an occasion for a bit of sadness, but a whole lot of reflection.
The type of reflection that can help you see who you really are and step forward into that piece of who you really are in a beautiful way, the kind of way that does you a lot of good.
Because at the end of the day, your life here on this earth is meant to be vibrantly robust and healthy and vital.
And Leo Messi, well, he was someone and still is someone who through how he practiced what he did, which was play football, could help you through his transcendent magnificence discover the same transcendent magnificence within yourself.
A couple of days ago, the great Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football.
And the reason I got teary-eyed is because Messi is one of the greatest of all time.
Some people, I'm not among them, say that he's actually the greatest of all time.
He scored the third most number of goals of any player beyond, behind, excuse me, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pele.
I happened to be a Toronto FC season ticket holder, and I got to see him in the 2024 season where he didn't play for most of the game.
And then I got to see him this season, the 2026 season, where he did play for the entire game.
And it's sad when a great man who's meant so much to so many steps away from the stage because men like him inspire the rest of us to look within for the greatness that we possess and to step forward into life pursuing that greatness.
And his dazzling and brilliant play has been something that's turned so many of us happy, joyous, inspired.
And it's my belief that if you're someone who loves football, Messi stepping away from it is an occasion for a bit of sadness, but a whole lot of reflection.
The type of reflection that can help you see who you really are and step forward into that piece of who you really are in a beautiful way, the kind of way that does you a lot of good.
Because at the end of the day, your life here on this earth is meant to be vibrantly robust and healthy and vital.
And Leo Messi, well, he was someone and still is someone who through how he practiced what he did, which was play football, could help you through his transcendent magnificence discover the same transcendent magnificence within yourself.
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