How Messi Started His Career: A Tale of Dedication and Hard Work

Lionel Messi, also known as “Leo,” is one of the greatest football players of all time. His exceptional skills on the field have earned him numerous accolades and made him an icon in the football world. However, his journey to greatness wasn’t easy.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how Messi started his career and the challenges he had to overcome to become the legend we know today.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. He grew up in a family of football enthusiasts and was introduced to the sport at a young age by his father, who worked as a factory steel worker and also coached a local youth football team. Messi’s talent was apparent from a young age, and he quickly became a standout player on his father’s team.

At the age of six, Messi joined the youth team of Grandoli, a local football club. However, his growth hormone deficiency, a medical condition that limited his height and muscle development, nearly halted his football dreams. Messi’s family couldn’t afford the medical bills for his treatment, which could have cost them around $900 per month. Fortunately, his father’s employer, a steel company, agreed to cover the medical expenses, enabling Messi to continue playing football.

Joining FC Barcelona

In 2000, when Messi was 13 years old, he caught the eye of Carles Rexach, a sporting director at FC Barcelona, during a trial match. Impressed by Messi’s skills, Rexach offered him a contract on a paper napkin, which Messi’s family kept as a treasured possession. Messi moved to Spain with his family and joined Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia.

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At Barcelona, Messi honed his skills under the guidance of coaches who recognized his potential. Despite facing various challenges, including homesickness and language barriers, Messi was determined to succeed. He worked tirelessly to improve his game, training for hours every day and studying videos of football matches.

Messi’s Professional Debut

In 2004, Messi made his professional debut for Barcelona, becoming the youngest player to play for the club in a league match. However, it wasn’t until the 2005-2006 season that Messi began to establish himself as a first-team regular. His performances in the league and the Champions League caught the attention of football fans and pundits around the world.

Over the next few years, Messi continued to shine on the field, winning several individual awards and helping Barcelona win multiple domestic and international titles. He became known for his exceptional ball control, dribbling skills, and scoring ability. His partnership with players such as Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Iniesta helped Barcelona dominate European football and cemented his status as one of the best players in the world.

International Career

Messi’s success at Barcelona earned him a place in the Argentine national team, and he made his debut in 2005. However, his international career hasn’t been as successful as his club career. Messi has played in several major tournaments, including the World Cup and the Copa America, but has yet to win a major international trophy with Argentina.

Despite this, Messi’s performances for his country have been outstanding, and he’s the all-time leading goal scorer for Argentina. In 2021, he finally won a major international trophy with his national team, the Copa America, which was held in Brazil. This was a moment of great joy for Messi and his fans, who had been waiting for years for him to achieve this milestone.