13 Things You Didnt Know About Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, as well as one of the world’s richest footballers, with a net worth of over $650 million and career earnings of more than $1 billion.

1. EARLY STRUGGLES WITH GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY:

Lionel Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a child, which slowed his growth and required costly treatments. His family struggled to afford the treatment, but FC Barcelona agreed to pay for it when he moved to Spain at age 13.

2. RECORD-BREAKING GOAL SCORER:

Messi holds numerous records for goals. He is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer and holds the record for most goals in a single season in Europe’s top five leagues (with 91 goals in 2012).

3. BALLON D’OR WINS:

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award, given to the best player in the world, a record 7 times (as of 2023).

4. EARLY CAREER AT BARCELONA:

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia when he was just 13. He made his first-team debut at 17 and quickly became the team’s star player.

5. INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS:

Although Argentina hasn’t won a major international tournament for a long time, Messi helped lead his country to victory in the 2021 Copa América, his first major international trophy. In 2022, he led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup, cementing his place as one of the all-time greats.

6. UNIQUE PLAYING STYLE:

Messi is known for his low centre of gravity, incredible dribbling ability, and vision on the field. His ability to weave through defenders and his precision in finishing are unmatched.

7. CHARITABLE WORK:

Messi has his charity, the Leo Messi Foundation, which focuses on providing access to education and health care for vulnerable children. He has also been involved in several other charitable activities throughout his career.

8. MOVE TO PSG AND MLS:

After spending 21 years at Barcelona, Messi left the club in 2021 due to financial constraints at the club. He joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and later moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023.

9. INFLUENCE ON FOOTBALL:

Messi has influenced not just how people play the game but also how young players approach their training. His consistency, humility, and professionalism have set a high standard.

10. PERSONAL LIFE:

Messi married his childhood sweetheart, Antonella Roccuzzo, in 2017. They have three children together.

11. PELE AND MARADONA COMPARISON:

Messi has often been compared to football legends Pele and Diego Maradona, with many considering him to be the greatest footballer of all time. He has surpassed many of their records, yet he remains humble about his place in history.

12. NO TATTOOS (UNTIL RECENTLY):

Messi was known for not having any tattoos for a long time, making him stand out among many of his peers. However, in recent years, he has gotten several tattoos, including a tribute to his mother.

13. THE “MESSI CURSE”:

Messi has often been joked about being cursed in finals before his major wins. He lost three consecutive finals with Argentina (Copa América 2007, World Cup 2014, and Copa América 2015) before finally winning the 2021 Copa América and World Cup in 2022.

These are just some of the fascinating aspects of Messi’s life and career, showcasing his impact on and off the pitch. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LIONEL MESSI?