Lionel Andres Messi was born on 24 June 1987 south of Rosario, in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina.
Presently, he plays as a right forward for FC Barcelona (Barca) and for the Argentinian National Team. He has dual citizenship, Argentinian and Spanish. They call him Leo, Lio or La Pulga. From a very early age, when he was learning to walk, he had a passion for the ball.
As a child, when he was about 8, he had to undergo special treatment ( for hormonal deficiency) in order to have a normal rate of growth. Every night he would sit on his bed and have injections in his legs. It wasn’t fun, but he wanted to become a footballer so much that it was worth it. The problem was that the treatment was very expensive and his family couldn’t afford it. Mum and Dad tried everything. In the end, it seemed like the solution was in Spain, in Lerida, where some of his relatives live. His Dad was offered a job and, at the same time, it was his chance to go for a trial with Barca.
Luckily, the trials went well and before he knew it he had earned the opportunity to play in Barcelona. At that time, he always remembered, his family and he had to make a very difficult decision. The question was whether to go back home or to try their luck in Barcelona. It sounds like an easy choice to make, but it saddens him to think about that time. One day his dad asked him: “What would you like to do, Leo?” “I’d like to stay”, he answered. He said that with great conviction and the
hope of fulfilling a dream. He will never regret having made that decision, knowing that he always had his family’s unconditional support.
As a child, when he was about 8, he had to undergo special treatment ( for hormonal deficiency) in order to have a normal rate of growth. Every night he would sit on his bed and have injections in his legs. It wasn’t fun, but he wanted to become a footballer so much that it was worth it. The problem was that the treatment was very expensive and his family couldn’t afford it. Mum and Dad tried everything. In the end, it seemed like the solution was in Spain, in Lerida, where some of his relatives live. His Dad was offered a job and, at the same time, it was his chance to go for a trial with Barca.
Luckily, the trials went well and before he knew it he had earned the opportunity to play in Barcelona. At that time, he always remembered, his family and he had to make a very difficult decision. The question was whether to go back home or to try their luck in Barcelona. It sounds like an easy choice to make, but it saddens him to think about that time. One day his dad asked him: “What would you like to do, Leo?” “I’d like to stay”, he answered. He said that with great conviction and the
hope of fulfilling a dream. He will never regret having made that decision, knowing that he always had his family’s unconditional support.
Did you know ?
Playing for Newell's junior team, he was late for a match because he was locked in a bathroom. His team was down 0-1 at half time.Leo arrived at the match at half-time by breaking the glass window of the bathroom.He turned the match upside down by scoring two goals to make it 3-1 !
Playing for Newell's junior team, he was late for a match because he was locked in a bathroom. His team was down 0-1 at half time.Leo arrived at the match at half-time by breaking the glass window of the bathroom.He turned the match upside down by scoring two goals to make it 3-1 !
Messi also proved the "new Maradona" tag was not all hype, by near-replicating Maradona's most famous goals in the space of the single season. On 18 April 2007, he scored two goals during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe, one of which was very similar to Maradona's famous goal against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, known as the Goal of the
Century. The world's sports press drew comparisons with Maradona, and the Spanish press labelled Messi as "Messidona". He ran about the same distance, 62 metres (200 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including the goalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just as Maradona did in Mexico 21 years before. In a press conference after the game, Messi's team-mate Deco said: "It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life."Against Espanyol Messi also scored a goal which was remarkably similar to Maradona's goal against England in the World Cup quarter-finals. Messi launched himself at the ball and connected with his hand to guide the ball past the goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. Despite protests by Espanyol players and replays showing it was clear handball, the goal stood.
Century. The world's sports press drew comparisons with Maradona, and the Spanish press labelled Messi as "Messidona". He ran about the same distance, 62 metres (200 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including the goalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just as Maradona did in Mexico 21 years before. In a press conference after the game, Messi's team-mate Deco said: "It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life."Against Espanyol Messi also scored a goal which was remarkably similar to Maradona's goal against England in the World Cup quarter-finals. Messi launched himself at the ball and connected with his hand to guide the ball past the goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. Despite protests by Espanyol players and replays showing it was clear handball, the goal stood.
He is among the TOP TEN contenders to win the Golden Boot award that goes to the top of the FIFA World Cup.
1. David Villa (Spain)
2. Fabiano (Brazil)
3. Wayne Rooney (England)
4. Robin Van Persie (Holland)
5. Fernando Torres (Spain)
6. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
7. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
8. Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)
9. Kaka (Brazil)
10. Luka Podolski (Germany)
3. Wayne Rooney (England)
4. Robin Van Persie (Holland)
5. Fernando Torres (Spain)
6. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
7. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
8. Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)
9. Kaka (Brazil)
10. Luka Podolski (Germany)
I will be watching him play tonight against Greece. The match is at 12 midnight IST.
A perrrrrrrrrrrrfect way to end my vacation ?
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