To many corners of the football world, Lionel Messi is a figure of near perfection.

Barcelona‘s iconic No10 has broken just about every metric record there is to surpass and has filled his cabinet with practically every trophy on offer.

Lauded as the greatest of all time, the 30-year-old is evolving his game as he enters the next phase of his career, adopting the role of both playmaker and goalscorer for the Catalan giants this season.

However, the Argentine maestro humbly believes he is far from perfect with his struggles from the penalty spot one area he’s singled out for improvement.

Speaking to Russian outlet Blic Sport, he said: “I want to be perfect and yet there are some parts of game I have to improve to reach the maximum level.

“Which part? Penalties, I have to practice them more.”

While still very much at the peak of his powers, attention will no doubt turn towards life beyond the pitch as Messi turns 31 this year.

However, he’s ruled out swapping his Barca strip for a managerial suit once his playing career draws to a close.

“I will probably not be a coach after I retire, but there is enough time, I can still change my mind,” he added.

“At home we rarely speak about football, it has to be something special around Barcelona or Argentina to open discuss about football during family lunch.”

And it seems the family life narrative is something which Messi is most proud of as he continued: “Being a parent is an incredible feeling. A huge change, in every way. I’m looking at some things from a completely different angle now.

The role of the father is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me in my life. Indescribable.

“I’m a person like everyone else. I lead a completely normal life with my family. Okay, I wish sometimes that I’m not so familiar and that I can walk freely.”