Lionel Messi is the most celebrated name in the game of Football. He is one of the greatest and most talented players who has hundreds of achievements for himself. People are often curious to know about Lionel Messi’s biography and other facts from his personal and professional life. He has fans not only in Southern America but all over the globe even in countries where Football is not that popular. He is also one of the most followed sports personalities on Instagram and has a personal net worth in millions. Recently, Argentina was the winner of the Football World Cup held in Qatar in which Lionel Messi made a great contribution. In this blog, you will get all the information regarding him covering various aspects of his personal and professional life.
Lionel Messi – a Biography of a great Football player:
There is no wonder that “Lion” is there in his name. He has a brave spirit and determination to prove his worth for his national team and the franchise he plays for. He was just 13 years of age when he had to relocate from Argentina to Spain to play for Barcelona. It is the only one for whom he has played for decades.
Messi’s birth and family history:
His journey into the world started on June 24, 1987, in Rosario Santa Fe, Argentina. His mother’s name is Celia Cuccittini and his father’s name is Jorge Messi. Messi is the third child of the four children. The couple worked hard to meet the ends of the family. Jorge was a manager in the steel factory while Celia worked at a magnet manufacturing company. Messi’s parents have their roots in the Adriatic Marche region of Italy. His whole family loved watching football together.
Messi’s football career during childhood:
- When Messi was little, he too developed an interest in Football. He often used to play with his brothers and cousins named Maximiliano, Emanuel, Rodrigo, and Matías. Later out of them, Maximiliano and Emanuel became professional footballers. Watching his interest in the game of football, his parents admitted him to a local club named “Grandoli” where his father was his first coach and was often accompanied by his mother. His grandmother too was a sports lover but her death made a huge impact on Leo’s life after which he became a Roman Catholic and started following its principles. It is also believed that whenever he looks above after scoring a goal during the match, he dedicates this to his grandmother.
- While growing up his idol was Brazilian player “Ronaldo”. After two years he was inducted into the team he aspired to. The team was “Newell’s Old Boys” of the “Rosario Club” where he was chosen at the age of just six. For another six years, he played for the team and scored more than 500 goals in his career in the club. The crowd was amused by his ball tricks during the game but no one had a clue regarding a new obstacle in his growth.
Messi’s disease and diagnosis:
- When he was 10 years old, he was diagnosed with hormone deficiency syndrome. The initial two years of the therapy were funded by the health insurance company while for the remaining amount, some clubs offered help initially but soon declined their offers stating some or the other reasons. Even the team he was playing for, Newell’s, declined their offer later.
- Any delay in his therapy would have hampered his growth and his career as a football player would have diminished. When the family was running out of all options their relatives based in Catalonia, arranged some trials for him in Barcelona. The selection committee was immediately impressed by his talent. Although the board was reluctant to start, the team’s director, Charly Rexach had faith in this young talent so Rexach offered him a contract on his behalf on a paper napkin. After this, the family relocated to Barcelona and started living in a house near the stadium – Camp Nou.
- In the first year, his matches were restricted due to some legal complications with his previous club “Newel’s”. After this, his mother returned to Rosario with the rest of the members while he and his father started living in Maria Sol, Barcelona. So his expense for his hormone deficiency was further borne by Barcelona.
Messi’s career in Barcelona – The place where he met Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas:
After completing his compulsory induction in the youth academy, he was eligible to play in all matches and championships. He was enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation in February 2002. He met Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas in this club itself while he was young. After fully recovering from his therapy at 14 years of age, he was made a permanent member of the “Baby Dream Team”. After completion of a successful season, he was offered to join Arsenal but he declined the offer whereas Gerard and Fabregas accepted it.
Messi’s personal life and relationships:
- Messi’s relationship is not hidden from the world. He has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo since 2008. They both have known each other since childhood. Antonella is a cousin of his best friend Lucas Scaglia who is also a football player. The couple began dating in 2008 and made it public in January 2009 during a carnival. The couple got married in October 2017.
- They have three sons. The first son’s name is Thiago he was born on November 2, 2012, and the second child Mateo was born on September 11, 2015, while the couple welcomed their youngest son Ciro on March 10, 2018.
- Even to date Messi leads a normal life and prefers spending time with his family rather than luxury. Whenever he is free he visits his hometown Rosario. He loves all his family members, especially his mother. He has engraved a tattoo in her name “Celia” on his left shoulder. Apart from these, he and his family also believe in charitable work and give generous donations at regular events.
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