Lionel Messi is considered to be one of the best footballers in the world. So much so that some suggest he is the best footballer of all time, which is rather impressive considering all of the amazing footballers that have come before him. Regardless, considering his reputation, it should come as no surprise to learn that Messi has won a number of championships as well as what can seem like a constant succession of awards and accolades.
Messi: The Machine of 87
Lionel Messi was born, 24 June 1987, in Rosario, Argentina to a middle-class family. His father was a factory steelworker, and his mother was a cleaner. He began playing from an early age, and his talent was soon apparent.
At the age of nine, Messi joined the club he still supports even today, Newell's, and was part of an exciting generation that lost just one match in four years. Little Leo, was the shining star of the Maquina de la '87 (The Machine of 87). The name because all of its players had been born in 1987.
In his first game for Newell's, a 6-0 victory, Messi scored four goals, according to the Association of Rosario Football. He was setting a tone. Newell’s won every tournament where they entered at that time.
Uncertainty and growth hormone deficiency
By the age of 11, however, it emerged that Messi was suffering from a growth hormone deficiency. Without the necessary treatment, his dreams of a career in football would be dashed.
Contrary to popular belief, Newell's did try and pay for treatment for its promising player. But with the club in crisis and few funds available, Messi's father emerged in frustration. Social security saw some of the medical bills, but the family was struggling to make ends meet.
Local club River Plate became interested to take Messi. But it was impossible for them to carry his medical cost. Because it was $900 per month. In this situation Messi’s career became uncertain.
Napkin contract
At that time Barcelona's technical secretary, Charly Rexach, was so impressed with what he saw from a 13-year-old Messi within seven minutes of his trial. He needed to sign him up fast. He was so impressed that he didn’t think twice about the contract. The technical secretary decided to contract with father (Jorge Messi) and Messi. At that time there was no paper nearby. Then they drew up a contract on the nearest available piece of napkin paper where both sides signed right on the spot on Dec. 14, 2000.
It reads-
"In Barcelona, on the 14th of December of 2000 and in the presence of Josep Minguella and Horacio [Gaggioli], Carles Rexach, FCB technical secretary, it commits under his responsibility and despite some views against it to sign the player Lionel Messi, as long as we remain within the amounts agreed upon."
Then Messi and his family moved to Spain to continue his pursuit of a career in football.
Citizenship and debut at La Liga
Barcelona renews its contract with Messi on September 16, 2005 for the second time. Messi's remuneration as a key team player was extended and the contract was extended to 2014. On September 26, 2005 Messi was granted Spain's citizenship and got a chance to play in La Liga. On September 27, Messi made his first appearance in the Champions League against the Italian club Udinese at Camp Nou. When Messi came down the field, spectators of Camp Nou stood up and congratulate him. Messi scored six goals in 17 matches in La Liga and one goal in 6 games in the Champions League.
Rejection of Spanish Invitation
As an Argentinean-Spanish citizen, Messi was invited to play in Spain's National Under-20 football team. But Messi rejected it. He has also chance to play in Italy. But he decided to play for Argentina. In June 2004, he played for Argentina's Under-20 team in the first friendly match against Paraguay. He played for the Argentine team in the South American Youth Championship in the2005. In this tournament Argentina became third place (Champion: Colombia, Runner up Brazil). In the same year, Argentina became champion in FIFA Youth Championship. Messi became the best player in the tournament. He got Golden Ball and Golden Shoe.
Why Messi rising hands after goal?
When Messi was suffering from hormone deficiency at that time Messi's grandmother suffered a lot for her. His grandmother always tries to inspire and suggest to go to play at ground. In this very hard time his grandmother didn’t become hopeless.
However, Messi's hormone deficiency did not last long. After the disease, he was released. But his grandmother did not stay so long. Since then, Messi has expressed his love for his late grandmother, raising her hands that every time she looks from the sky.
Messi says-
"I am doing this because I dedicate my goals to my grandmother. She took to me to football but now she can't see how far I have come. Nevertheless, she continues to help me and my family,"
Messi gets jersey No: 10
Messi got his No 10 jerseys after Ronaldinho's departure. In this season 2008, Messi got second place in FIFA Player of the Year awards. Messi scored his first hat-trick in a Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid in 2009.
Messi established himself as a regular player of the team 2006-07 season. He played 26 matches and scored 14 goals. Messi scored a hat-trick in El Clasico in the season, finished the game to 3–3 goals. Barcelona became back warded for three times. But Messi all the times leading the team to come back the game. In the previous the last hat-trick in El Clasico as Real Madrid's Ivan Zamorano in 1994-95 season.
In 2009 after winning the UEFA Super Cup, Pep Guardiola period of Barcelona, Messi takes his favorite position ‘false nine’. In this before, the previous manager of Barcelona Frank Reyker, Messi was in right-wing position. This was not pleasing for Messi.
Glorious achievements:
In the long career, Messi got everything without a World Cup. But he makes his highness where no one cannot break him. No one has the courage to doubt Messi’s skill and ability. In 2008, Argentina became the champion of Summer Olympic Gold Medal, Champion of FIFA Club World Cup 2011. Argentina became the runner-up in 2014 World-Cup. Messi became the best player in the world cup. He has spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, where he has won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles and six Copa’s Del Rey. Lionel Messi has won 5 Ballon d'Ors for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015. The interesting thing is, since 2008, only Messi and Ronaldo kept winning Ballon d'Or (Ronaldo won for 2008, 2013,2014,2016,2017 years) keeping the spot pretty hot.
