A Lionel Messi Biography
Lionel Messi is a world-famous footballer who plays for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Argentina national team. He has won a number of awards and is considered one of the greatest players in history. Despite his success, he maintains a low-key lifestyle and is known for his philanthropic work. He is also well-known for his dedication to family life and his disciplined approach to training.
Lionel Messi Borns in Rosario
Rosario is a small city of about a million people dwarfed by Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires, but it has a reputation for producing an inordinate amount of talent. It’s the birthplace of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, for example, and perhaps the most important football player in history, Lionel Messi.
As a child, Lionel Messi would tag along with his older brothers when they went to the local field to play soccer and he displayed tremendous natural skill. He was a little shorter than his peers, though, and doctors soon discovered that he had a hormone deficiency that was restricting his growth.
His parents, Jorge and Cecilia, put him on a regimen of nightly growth hormone injections but it was not long before they realized they could not afford the several hundred dollars per month that the treatment required. At the age of 13, they moved him to Barcelona’s La Masia Academy, where they hoped the Spanish giants would help cover the cost of his growth treatments. Upon his arrival, the club gave him the name he is now known by around the world.
Moved to Spain at the age of 13
At Newell’s Old Boys, Lionel Messi was a standout in the youth teams, but his parents could not afford the expensive medical treatment he needed to combat a growth hormone disorder. They reached a deal with FC Barcelona to pay for the treatments, and Messi moved to Spain at age 13.
At Barcelona, Messi became arguably the best player in history, winning five consecutive league titles and one Champions League title. He also won two Ligue 1 titles in his time at Paris Saint-Germain and was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning side.
Off the field, Messi has been a philanthropist, supporting causes related to education, health, and sports. He has also donated to UNICEF and created his charitable foundation. He married his childhood sweetheart, Antonella Roccuzzo, in 2017, and they have three sons together. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his family and taking photos. He is also a fan of fashion and has collaborated with Louis Vitton on several occasions. He also has an active social media presence, with over 39 million Instagram followers.
Moved to Barcelona at the age of 17
At age 13, Lionel Messi was offered the chance to train at soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, and have his medical bills covered by the team. The offer was enough to convince his family to move from Rosario, and Messi made a quick impression as he rose through the junior system.
Rexach saw something special in the diminutive Lionel Messi, who was playing left wing or as a number 10 behind Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o in the club’s first-team setup. He was able to beat his opponents and get to the byline, where he could deliver a cross that would change the game.
But the nagging problem of his growth hormone deficiency remained. As he moved up the ranks, he also became a target of other big clubs — including those that had signed players with similar problems to Rosario. As the Christmas period approached, Messi’s dad, Jorge, began to worry that Barca was not ready to invest in his son. He wrote to the club president, and Rexach agreed to bring him back for a trial.
Moved to France at age 19
At the age of 19, Lionel Messi was signed by French club Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. He chose to wear 30 as his squad number, the same number he wore on his first Barcelona team debut in 2003. This move came after a tearful goodbye at the Camp Nou, where Messi had spent his entire career to date.
When he was younger, Messi played for Newell’s Old Boys, a top-division soccer club in Rosario. He excelled at the game, earning a spot on the youth team. However, he was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, which made him very small for his age. Treatment was expensive, and the club refused to cover it.
Messi moved to Spain in 2000, where he joined FC Barcelona’s youth academy. He started with the junior Infantil B team and then got promoted to Juvenil A and the Cadette teams. Eventually, he got to play for the senior team. He soon established himself as a regular and won multiple trophies in the process. He also earned a record-extending seventh Ballon d’Or.
Moved to Argentina at the age of 22
Lionel Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona and the Argentine national team, is considered one of the world’s most talented footballers. He has won the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious award in the game, six times.
Messi has won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues with Barcelona and holds the club’s record for most goals scored. His enigmatic personality and inimitable style have drawn comparisons to another legendary Argentine player, Diego Maradona.
As a youngster, Lionel Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, which prevented him from achieving his full physical potential. He was scouted by Buenos Aires giant River Plate, but his family could not afford the high cost of the treatment.
Jorge Messi pushed his son to join the Barcelona youth academy, La Masia, to receive the medical treatment he needed. Barca director Charly Rexach famously signed a contract written on a napkin to confirm the move. It is widely accepted that the decision saved Messi’s career and made him the player he is today. He is now the captain of both Inter Miami CF and the Argentina national team.
