How he started everything
Lionel Andrés Messi, commonly known as “Leo” or “Messi”, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Messi started playing football at a young age and showed tremendous promise from the very beginning.
Messi joined the youth academy of Newell’s Old Boys when he was just six years old. Despite being diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at the age of 10, he continued to hone his skills and quickly made a name for himself in the local football scene. His dribbling abilities, ball control and vision on the field earned him comparisons to the Argentine legend Diego Maradona, and he was soon scouted by several top clubs in Europe.
In 2000, Messi moved to Barcelona with his family and joined the club’s youth academy, La Masia. He quickly adapted to the new surroundings and made a strong impression on the coaches, who saw the raw talent and potential in him. He made his way through the various youth teams and finally made his debut for Barcelona’s senior team in 2004, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to play in La Liga at the age of 17.
Messi’s early years with Barcelona were marked by several injuries, but he still managed to establish himself as a regular member of the team. His dribbling skills, quick feet, and close control on the ball made him a nightmare for defenders, and he soon became a fan favorite. He was also an important contributor to the team’s success, helping them win several titles, including the 2006 UEFA Champions League and the 2008-09 La Liga.
Debut for Argentina
In 2008, Messi made his debut for the Argentina national team and quickly became one of the most important players in the squad. He helped lead the team to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and was named the best player of the tournament. This was just the beginning of a long and illustrious international career, in which he would go on to lead Argentina to the final of the 2014 World Cup and win the Copa America in 2021.
One of the defining moments of Messi’s early career came in the 2010-11 season, when he won the first of his record seven Ballon d’Or awards. He continued to break records and set new milestones throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
In conclusion, Messi’s early career was marked by his incredible talent, hard work and determination. Despite facing several challenges and obstacles along the way, he never lost his focus and continued to improve, becoming one of the greatest players the sport has seen.