Lionel Messi: Success Story of the Football Superstar

Born in Rosario, Argentia on June 24 1987. Lionel Messi has always considered as the god-gifted player who is born to take centre stage in this sport.  At an early age of 5, Messi started playing football for a local club named Grandoli. And when he turned eight, he was playing for another club called Newell's Old Boys. But his career almost ended when he was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11.  

The six-times Ballon D'Or award winner, Lionel Messi is considered as the GOAT player in the history of football. Lionel Messi is always recognised for his ability, passion and dominance in his field. Who would have thought that a boy who is suffering from growth hormone deficiency will become a future football sensation? Messi is a source of inspiration for every athlete out in the world.  

Born in Rosario, Argentia on June 24 1987. Lionel Messi has always considered as the god-gifted player who is born to take centre stage in this sport.  At an early age of 5, Messi started playing football for a local club named Grandoli. And when he turned eight, he was playing for another club called Newell's Old Boys. But his career almost ended when he was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11.  

Advertisement

When no one was there to help this kid, the sporting director of FC Barcelona came to his aid and promised to pay all his bills if he moves to Spain to play football. And later Messi was enrolled at the Barcelona's Youth Academy.

Lionel Messi's career kick-started when he played for junior system ranks in 2000. Later, he signed a contract with one of the best Spanish club, Barcelona on October 16 2004. His first Barcelona contract was written on a napkin, and rest is history. Messi's first goal came on May 1, 2005, against Albacete. Also, he became the youngest ever player to score a goal in La-Liga game for Barcelona.

Advertisement

Lionel Messi also received Spanish Citizenship in September 2005. From the beginning, he was getting noticed by many football clubs. Players around the world looked at him in disbelief on seeing his talent. His style of playing was quite similar to another football legend Maradona which resulted in him being labelled as ''Messidona''.

Messi is a goal-machine, and he won the Fifa World Player of the Year Award at the age of 22. He had won this award for six times which is most by any player beating Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk. Leo also holds the record for winning European Golden Boot for six times, which is most by any player in football history. He is also the 3rd highest-paid athlete in the world sitting behind Roger Federer and Cristiano Ronaldo.  

Advertisement

Despite being diagnosed with a career-breaking disease, there are so many lessons to be learned from Messi's success story. A man who has health problems and poor family condition showed determination to achieve his goals and became the best football player in the world. 
 

Advertisement