Owning the hearts of millions of people, Argentina born football player, Lionel Messi, is one of the world’s FIFA players. Born on 24 June 1987, Messi was diagnosed with hormone deficiency which stagnated his growth. Despite his underdeveloped physique, he showcased his skills to many organizations. Many organizations did like Messi and wanted to have him but no one wanted to pay for Messi’s medical bills.
Barcelona was one of the organizations to whom Messi displayed his talent, fortunately, he impressed the coach. Barcelona offered a contract to Messi which stated that the organization will be liable for Messi’s medical treatment in Spain.
Messi started playing at an early age and in 1995 he joined the youth team of Newell’s Old Boys which was a Rosario based football club of top division. His habile skills attracted the attention of all the prestigious organizations in Atlantic.
At the age of 13 Messi along with his family relocated to Barcelona, and he started playing for FC Barcelona’s team under 14. Setting a wonderful score by 21 goals in 14 games for the junior team.
Messi’s talent won the hearts of many, his ranks increased with his every match. He became the youngest football player to score a league game. His improvisations and new records with every game set new standards.
Family
Born in 1987 on 24th June, Lionel Messi was welcomed by his parents Celia María Cuccittini, and Jorge Horacio Messi. He was born in Rosario, Argentina. Celia María Cuccittin,his mother, once worked in a magnet manufacturing company in Argentina.
Jorge Horacio Messi,his father, worked as a factory manager in a steel factory. Coming to his siblings he’s the third child of his parents. His eldest brother is Rodrigo who takes charge of Messi’s daily schedule and publicity. His second elder brother is Matias Mess, who helps to manage his brother’s foundation.
He also has a younger sister María Sol Messi. She’s the only girl in their family. Therefore she’s bought up like a princess by her brothers and cousins and family. She’s the favorite of each of her brother.
Soon after Messi was born, the family became a victim of economic crises in the country, which adversely affected them and their financial stability. Therefore the family struggled with work. Messi is currently married to Antonela Roccuzzo. She’s a model by profession. They have 3 kids together.
His Grandmother’s Role in Football
At an early age Messi started playing football and he was extremely interested in playing. His passion rooted over time. At the age of four, his grandmother, Celia Oliveira Cuccittini, found a spark in Messi’s playing tricks and methods.
Messi used to play football along with his cousins and his siblings. But his methods to kick the ball were extremely different to how he was being taught. At such an age seeing his grandson having such talents only Oliveira Cuccittini wanted him to become a football player in future. She’s the one who took him to a football training session.
Messi has his first training session at Grandoli’s local football club. Cuccittini there loaded him with words,” LIONEL…ONE DAY, YOU WILL BE THE BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER IN THE WORLD,” so has happened. She convinced his parents to buy him his first football boots and admitted Messi in the match squad at that time. She’s her real supporter.
Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. Remorsefully when he was trying to settle with Newell he faced the worst at that time. His utmost important supporter, his grandmother died at that time. The grandmother’s demise filled Messi with profound grief.
She died when Messi was almost eleven years old. After the loss he began tributing his grandmother and kept on playing and winning the hearts of his coaches and his teammates. With Newell, Messi scored around 500 goals in his six years playing with him.
Messi’s achievement was that he was the member of an unbeatable group of that time nicknamed as “The Machine of ’87’ “. The name came from the birth year of all the boys who were members of that group. It is said that till date “The Machine of ’87’ ” group members have a whatsapp group and are connected to each other. They see Messi as their leader.
Love life
In the 1990s Messi found his love of life in his hometown Rosario,Antonela Roccuzzo . He met her through a friend, Lucas Scagila, now a football player. In those days the boys enjoyed playing at Rosario Beach. One day, Messi saw Antonela and asked his friend Lucas” who is she?” Lucas replied “she’s my cousin.”
Lionel at the age of 9 then wrote his first love letter to his first love. It stated,” ONE DAY, YOU AND I WILL BE BOYFRIEND AND GIRLFRIEND.”
They got separated after Messi moved to Spain but got together again in 2007. Later on 30th June 2017, the love couple tied the knot with the presence of their parents, family and friends. Together the couple have 3 sons at present namely Thiago Messi ,Mateo Messi ,and Ciro Messi.
Achievements
Lionel Messi,the best football player of the history have won many trophies and awards enlightening his wall of fame and demanding his success. The first trophy won by him is The La Liga title won by Barcelona in 2004-05.
He won his first UEFA Champions league title in 2005-6 in Paris. Then in 2006he won Supercopa de España at Barcelona. Therefore he wonany awards at Barcelona Such as Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, Supercopa de España ,UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup. Messi beleive that one has to fight to reach their dreams. It requires sacrifice and hard work.
Messi’s achievements does not limits to trophies only. Only receiving is not a success. He’s been relatively active in charities and donations. In 2019, the Leo Messi Foundation donated $218,000 to UNICEF projects in Kenya. He also made a donation of $1.1 million for a hospital clinic in Catalunya and a health center in Argentina during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence Leo’s Foundation supports a wide range of charity.
