By Constantinos Massonos, Contributor
It was the first time the worldwide football community saw the 2022 FIFA World Cup take place in November and December, instead of the usual June and July. The anticipation for the tournament was not due to the unusual dates but because it felt like Lionel Messi’s “last dance.”
Messi, now 35, has won prestigious trophies with FC Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. He was also the highest-paid athlete in 2022, according to Forbes. However, Messi’s career could have ended before it even began if FC Barcelona hadn’t invested in his football talent.
His background
Lionel Andres Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Santa Fe Province, Argentina. He began playing football at age 5 at a local club called Grandoli, where his father worked as a coach. In 1994, he was scouted by Newell’s Old Boys, a top-tier Argentinian football club. Despite his small stature, young Lionel scored over 500 goals during his time at Newell’s.
At age 11, Messi was 132 cm tall and had not grown since age 9. After tests, he was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency. His father, a steelworker, and his mother, a part-time cleaner, did their best to cover Lionel’s hormone therapy, which cost $1500 per month.
His journey with Barcelona
Using family connections in Catalonia, Messi’s family arranged a trial at La Masia, where Lionel convinced coaches to invest in him. FC Barcelona covered all his treatments, allowing him to reach the average height for an Argentine male.
A few years later, Barcelona saw a return on its investment when Messi made his first-team debut at 17. He played alongside stars like Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, eventually becoming an iconic figure for both his club and country.
Cristiano VS Messi
The hardships Messi faced early in life shaped his humble character, both on and off the field. His small size taught him sharpness and quickness, helping him stand out from his teammates. His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo will remain one of the fiercest in sports history.
Like every fairy tale hero, Messi overcame his demons and persevered through adversity to reach Ithaca. After winning almost everything during his 18-year career, including 7 Ballon d’Or awards, Messi’s World Cup victory in Qatar on December 18, 2022, marked his ultimate triumph.
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