Everyone knows Messi because he is one of the greatest footballers of all time. With his efforts, he has broken a number of world records and won the admiration of fans around the world. Today we will talk about the story of “football legend” Messi.
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▶ Basic Information
- Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
- Date of Birth: 24 June 1987
- Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position: Forward
- His father: Jorge Messi
- His Mother: Celia María Cuccittini
- His wife: Antonella Rocuzzo
- His kids: Ciro Messi Roccuzz, Mateo Messi, Thiago Messi
▶ His childhood
Lionel Messi was born on the 24th day of June 1987 to his mother, Celia María Cuccittini, and father, Jorge Horacio Messi, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. He is the third of four children in the family.
From an early age, he often played with his older brothers Rodrigo and Matías. It wasn’t until he was four years old that his amiable grandmother, Celia Oliveira Cuccittini, saw in him the talent of a football star. She was the only one at the time who wanted Messi to be a footballer. Not only did she persuade Messi’s father to buy him his first pair of football boots, but she also helped Messi get into a local club.
Leo Messi was destined for greatness.
— MC (@CrewsMat10) October 27, 2022
pic.twitter.com/eJKoehiTak
At the age of five, Messi started playing for the local club Grandoli, coached by his father. When he was eight years old, he was playing for Newell’s Old Boys.
At the age of eleven, Massey was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency. The local club didn’t help him, but FC Barcelona’s sporting director, Carles Rexach, stepped in. Therefore, Messi moved to Spain to study at the youth academy in Barcelona.
▶ The Story of Napkin Contract
At first, Carles Rexach wanted to sign him right away. Sadly, the Barcelona board declined. Because football rules at the time did not allow European clubs to sign foreign players of Messi’s age.
On December 14, 2000, Newell’s Old Boys issued an ultimatum to Barcelona. But on that fateful day, Carles Rexach had no papers in hand, so he signed Lionel Messi’s contract on a napkin.
Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona FC after 21 years.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 10, 2021
He was 13 when he joined the Club in 2000.
The Club's official Carles Rexach wrote & signed his first contract with Barcelona on a 'napkin'!
Messi won 35 trophies for the Club which also includes four Champions League trophies! pic.twitter.com/iMV07d7NxA