Lionel Messi: Incredible Facts About the Genius of the Ball

Are we facing the best football player of all time? Check out today’s post and learn more about Lionel Messi

Many have wondered if the Argentine genius Lionel Messi would be able to surpass football greats like Maradona or Pelé.

From the outset, the answer to this question is a little more complex, however, we can certainly say that Messi is already part of the history of the great figures of world football.

One of the best known faces in the world, he started from a very young age. At just 7 years old he started his career at Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys, and at 13 he made his debut in Europe with Barcelona.

Today, he is a renowned player, known worldwide and with a huge list of titles.

But, do you really know all the details of Lionel Messi’s life? Did you know he was named after an American singer?

These and many other curiosities about the Argentine star you will discover in today’s post. Keep reading and learn more!

1- Homage

Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini was named Lionel after the famous American singer Lionel Richie. When the player was born in 1987, the artist was already consecrated with romantic songs.

2- Grandmother’s Support

The star’s talent was discovered early on. Coach Salvador Aparício, from the Grandoli amateur team, was delighted with the technique and talent of a just 4-year-old boy.
When asking Messi’s mother if the boy could play, she refused to consider him too small. However, his grandmother Celia, categorically said: “Let the boy play”. For this reason, Messi considers his grandmother his main supporter.

Celia passed away in 1998, and since then the star has dedicated most of his goals to her, raising his fingers and pointing to the sky.

3- Growth Problems

At the age of 9, Messi’s family discovered that the boy had a deficiency in the production of growth hormones.

For that, it was necessary to undergo a treatment that had a very high price, between 1000.00 to 1500.00 dollars per month. In the beginning, the company where his father worked had a health plan, and together with the Argentine Social Assistance Service it was possible to cover the expenses.

However, the country was going through a financial crisis, and the treatment had to be stopped.

At the same time, little Messi took some tests to join River Plate, a traditional team from Buenos Aires.

However, despite impressing the coaches, the team did not think it was worth paying for Messi and his family’s housing costs, let alone his treatment. That’s when Barcelona appeared in the life of the young star.

Carles Rexach, the club’s coach and historic player, discovered the boy’s talent and took him to Barcelona. Messi and his family agreed to move to Spain in 2000. And that’s how he managed to finish his treatment.

4- Your First Goal

In the 2004/2005 season, Lionel Messi won his first Spanish League title playing for Barcelona. His first goal was scored on May 1, 2005, against the team from Albacete.

5- The Dream of the Argentine National Team

Despite having received several invitations to join the Spanish national team, Messi has always made it clear that his big dream was to wear the colors of his country’s shirt.

In the first major tournament as part of the Argentine national team, La Pulga (nickname used in Argentina to refer to the virtuous and special little ones), managed to have great success. At the 2005 Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, he was champion, top scorer of the tournament and Golden Ball. In this way, Messi managed to repeat the feat of Maradona, under-20 world champion in 1979.

6- Olympic Champion

In 2008, Messi participated in the Beijing Olympics wearing the Argentina national team shirt.

Despite not being the best player of the tournament, his participation was essential for winning the title. In a recent interview, the star declared that this gold medal is the most important title for him throughout his career.

7- Best in the World

After winning the Champions League in 2009 playing for Barcelona, La Pulga was named the best player in the world for the first time.

8. Record-Breaking Career

Lionel Messi is known for his record-breaking career. In 2012, he set an impressive record by scoring 91 goals in a single calendar year, surpassing the previous mark held by Gerd Müller.

Additionally, Messi holds the record for the most FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, with seven victories.

These awards are given to the best football player in the world, and Messi won them in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021, highlighting his consistency and excellence over the years.

Lionel Messi (Fonte – Google)

9- Fancy Costumes

Despite being characterized by being a very discreet player who doesn’t get involved in the world of fashion, when it comes to gala attire, he arrives to rock! An example of this was at a FIFA Ballon d’Or award, where the player appeared in a black tuxedo with white polka dots.

10. Philanthropy:

Lionel Messi is known not only for his skills on the field but also for his generous heart off the field. He established the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007, with the aim of helping underprivileged children worldwide.

The foundation focuses on areas such as health, education, and social inclusion, working to improve the living conditions of children in vulnerable situations.

Messi has donated millions of dollars to the foundation and actively participates in charity events and fundraising campaigns, demonstrating his commitment to making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.