Tapia recounts his meeting with Messi: "It was a dream I still had to fulfill"

Agustín Tapia recounted in En Bandeja, the official podcast of Premier Padel, his meeting with Lionel Messi. The “Mozart of Catamarca” notably had the chance to exchange for ten to fifteen minutes with the Argentine legend, a moment he describes as the realization of a dream for him and his loved ones.

Agustín Tapia is used to being the one fans want to meet, photograph, or approach. But faced with Lionel Messi The roles have been reversed.

Guest of En Bandeja, the official podcast of Premier PadelThe Argentinian player reflected on his encounter with his compatriot and the emotions he felt when he came face to face with one of the greatest legends in the history of sport.

"A lot of things go through your head."

Tapia explains that he had initially come simply to attend a training session.

Initially, there was no question of imagining spending a long time with Messi.

"I would simply watch the training session from the stands, wherever they put me."

But the program will eventually change.

Tapia has the opportunity to meet Messi and, above all, to talk with him.

"I was lucky enough to be able to speak with him for a little while."

Even for a player used to big venues, finals and the pressure of the very highest level, the moment is special.

"The moment you know you're going to meet him, a lot of things go through your head."

Ten to fifteen minutes with Messi

The encounter is not limited to a handshake and a photograph.

Tapia reveals he was able to exchange for ten to fifteen minutes with the former number 10 of FC Barcelona and the Argentinian national team.

"To be able to talk with him for ten or fifteen minutes, to be able to take a picture..."

For the Catamarca player, this match had a special value.

"It was a dream that I still had to fulfill, at least on my end."

A personal dream, but not only that.

Tapia explains that his loved ones also shared this desire.

"It's a dream come true for me and for my family. We obviously dreamed of it, and it has finally come true."

The main person involved concluded simply:

"I was very, very happy."

Messi also knows padel

The exchange also allows us to discuss Messi's interest in padel.

When the journalist suggests that the meeting may also have been special for the footballer, Tapia immediately prefers to put things into perspective.

"I don't think so as much as it was for me."

But the mere fact that Messi knows and follows padel already means a lot to the Argentinian.

"The mere fact that he knows what our sport is, which is growing enormously, is already incredible for us."

Tapia also insists on one point: he obviously does not expect professional athletes to take risks by regularly practicing padel during their careers.

For him, The mere fact that they follow the sport already contributes to its visibility.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and footballers: a showcase for padel

The discussion then broadened to include the many footballers attracted by the 20x10.

Cristiano Ronaldo is specifically mentioned, as well as former players capable of reaching an already interesting amateur level.

For Tapia, seeing stars from other disciplines enter a track is definitely good news.

"Seeing these sporting giants step onto a padel court is good for padel, no matter how you look at it."

He also believes that footballers possess qualities that facilitate their adaptation.

Coordination, movement, body awareness and above all Competitive spirit According to him, this allows them to progress quickly.

"They quickly get into it and end up playing very well, finding a good level quite quickly."

Tapia is also observing the other champions

This admiration for Messi is part of Tapia's broader curiosity for other disciplines.

The Argentinian explains that he likes to watch different sports when he has the opportunity and tries to understand what makes the difference for the best.

And what he remembers isn't necessarily a technical skill.

It's more about the method.

"Everyone is making an effort, everyone is making sacrifices."

At the highest level, Tapia believes that details become crucial, regardless of the discipline.

Training harder, taking care of his body, surrounding himself with a complete team and leaving nothing to chance: these are all principles he observes in other champions and seeks to apply to his own career.

When "Mozart" meets "10"

In the program, Bárbara Vitantonio introduces Agustín Tapia as the "Mozart of Catamarca" and even pushes the comparison with football: Argentina has Messi and ten other players in football; in padel, it has Tapia and seven other players.

A formula that is bound to be amusing given the admiration that Tapia himself has for Messi.

On the track, the Argentinian is now the one that thousands of young people dream of meeting.

But on that day, He was the fan. .

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.