It has long been known that in Argentina, boys start playing football before they can walk. Of course, this is a joke, but there is some truth in it. Lionel Messi went through serious trials before his name was placed in the FIFA Hall of Fame.
Persistent kid
The multiple Ballon d'Or winner was born on June 24, 1987 in an ordinary Argentine family. Parents lived in the small town of Rosario. My father worked at a local steel plant. The mother worked in the service sector. Two older brothers and a sister were already growing up in the house. Like most boys from his inner circle, Leo became interested in football from an early age. It should be added that this game is considered the most popular in Argentina. When the boy was five years old, his grandmother Celia brought him to the children's football club.
It is interesting to note that the parents did not really believe in their son's talent. And only grandmother did not doubt for a second that Lionel would reach stellar heights. Already at the very beginning, Messi stood out among his peers. Nature has really endowed him with the ability to play football. He could easily beat two, three, and sometimes four opponents on the way to the rivals' goal. At the same time, he was notable for his short stature. They called him that - Kid. Only by the age of ten did adults pay attention to this fact. They turned and brought the young football player to the clinic for examination.
Sports achivments
The examination revealed that the boy had a growth hormone deficiency. With such a disease, there could be no question not only of a sports career, but also of a normal life course. The treatment of the disease required $ 900 per month. After a long search and negotiations, the Spanish football club Barcelona agreed to pay for the treatment of the teenager. The father, as a guardian, and the director of the club signed the corresponding contract. Messi moved to Catalonia with his father and began to study in a special school of FC Barcelona for beginners.
Lionel went through all stages of his career, starting with the youth team. And he still plays in the main team of Barcelona. As part of this team, Messi became the champion of Spain ten times. This indicator speaks volumes. He was recognized as the best player of the year in his native Argentina twelve times. Mesia holds the 2008 Olympic title, which he earned while playing for the Argentina national team. I must say that in recent years, Barcelona have not been playing consistently. The footballer was repeatedly offered to move to another club, but Lionel refused with dignity.
The personal life of a football player
By nature, Lionel Messi is calm and restrained. Only on the field does he demonstrate his mobility and emotionality. Not surprisingly, in his youth, he aroused the interest of many girls. But he decided to marry his classmate Antonella Rokuzzo. For many years they lived under the same roof, without formalizing the relationship.
In 2017, Antonella and Lionel registered their marriage. By this time, three sons were already growing up in the house. At the moment, Messi continues his football career, but is already looking for a place as a coach, in case he has to part with sports.
