The Entire History Of Messi

Summary

Lionel Messi's journey to greatness is a story of resilience and perseverance. From a humble and challenging childhood in Argentina to overcoming life-threatening health issues, Messi's talent and determination led him to Barcelona, where he became one of football’s greatest players. After heartbreaks on the international stage and struggles at Barcelona, Messi finally claimed the World Cup in 2022, solidifying his status as the undisputed GOAT. Despite setbacks in his European club career, Messi's move to MLS marked a new chapter in his legacy, forever changing the world of football.

Takeaways

• 😀 Messi's early life was marked by financial struggles and challenges in his family, with his parents often struggling to provide basic needs.
• 😀 Messi was the youngest of three siblings, and despite his family's challenges, football became his escape and passion.
• 😀 Messi's journey to football greatness was significantly influenced by his grandmother, Cecilia, who convinced the local team coach to give him a chance.
• 😀 At age 11, Messi's talent caught the attention of Newell's Old Boys, and his grandmother helped persuade his parents to get him football boots to join the team.
• 😀 Messi faced a major setback at 13 when he was diagnosed with growth hormone disease, which stunted his growth and threatened his career.
• 😀 Barcelona came to Messi's aid, offering to treat his disease and cover the cost of his growth hormone injections, which saved his career.
• 😀 Messi left his hometown to join Barcelona's La Masia academy, where he developed his football skills and quickly rose through the ranks.
• 😀 At 16, Messi made his Barcelona debut during a preseason tour, marking the beginning of his legendary career.
• 😀 Messi's breakthrough moment came when he scored his first goal for Barcelona against Albacete, a match where he formed a bond with Ronaldinho, who became his mentor.
• 😀 Under coach Pep Guardiola, Messi transformed into a central figure for Barcelona, leading the team to a historic treble and cementing his status as one of the best in the world.
• 😀 Messi's personal life also blossomed, with his relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo growing stronger as they became partners and started a family.
• 😀 Messi achieved remarkable individual success, including winning the Ballon d'Or multiple times and breaking the record for most goals in a calendar year in 2012.
• 😀 Despite his success, Messi faced international disappointments with Argentina, including losing in World Cup and Copa America finals, leading to doubts about his legacy.
• 😀 Messi's time at Barcelona ended in 2021 due to financial troubles at the club, but his incredible stats (672 goals, 303 assists, 4 Champions League wins) solidified his legacy.
• 😀 After joining PSG in 2021, Messi continued to achieve personal milestones but found his time in Paris less fulfilling due to early exits in the Champions League.
• 😀 Messi's final push for greatness came in 2022 when Argentina won the World Cup, with Messi finally achieving his dream of becoming a World Champion.
• 😀 After his World Cup victory, Messi left PSG for Inter Miami, where he continues to play while enjoying a quieter lifestyle with his family.

Q & A

What were the early challenges Messi faced in his childhood?

Messi's early life was marked by poverty, with his family struggling to afford basic necessities. Additionally, at age 13, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which could have hindered his football career.

How did Messi's grandmother influence his football career?

Messi's grandmother, Cecilia, played a crucial role in his development as a footballer. She convinced the coach of Messi's local team to let him play, and later persuaded his parents to buy him a pair of football boots. Her belief in his talent was a driving force during his early years.

What role did Barcelona play in Messi's life at a critical point?

Barcelona played a pivotal role in Messi's life by offering to cover the costs of his growth hormone treatment after his condition was diagnosed. In exchange, Messi was asked to join their youth academy, La Masia. This offer helped Messi overcome his health challenges and set him on the path to professional football.

What was Messi's relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo?

Messi met Antonella, his future wife, when they were both children. She was the cousin of one of his teammates at Newell's Old Boys. Despite leaving for Barcelona, Messi promised to return for Antonella, and their relationship blossomed into a lifelong partnership. They later married and had children together.

How did Messi's career develop under manager Pep Guardiola?

Under Pep Guardiola, Messi's role at Barcelona evolved significantly. Guardiola built the team's play around Messi, making him central to their attacking style. This change led to unprecedented success, including winning the treble in 2009, with Messi scoring a crucial header in the Champions League final.

How did Messi's rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo shape his career?

Messi's rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo became a defining aspect of his career. As both players competed for the Ballon d'Or and individual records, their rivalry pushed Messi to continually improve. Despite this, Messi focused more on his team’s success and his personal achievements, including breaking records for goals and assists.

What was the significance of Messi's 2012 season?

The 2012 season was monumental for Messi. He broke Gerd Müller's long-standing record for most goals in a calendar year, scoring 91 goals. Additionally, Messi's personal life also saw a major shift, as he became a father for the first time, further marking the season as one of the most important in his career.

Why was 2014 a low point for Messi in terms of international football?

2014 was a particularly tough year for Messi internationally, as Argentina lost the World Cup final to Germany. Despite Messi's impressive individual performance, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, Argentina fell short of claiming the ultimate prize.

How did Messi's success with Argentina in the Copa América in 2021 impact his legacy?

Messi’s victory in the 2021 Copa América was a pivotal moment in his international career. After years of near-misses in major finals, this triumph silenced critics who had questioned his ability to win with the national team. It cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

What led to Messi's departure from Barcelona in 2021?

In 2021, Barcelona's financial crisis made it impossible for the club to renew Messi's contract, despite their desire to keep him. Unable to afford Messi’s wages due to La Liga’s salary cap regulations, Barcelona was forced to let him go after 21 years at the club.

How did Messi perform during his time at PSG, and why did he eventually leave?

Messi's time at PSG was a mixed experience. While he won Ligue 1 and the French Cup twice, PSG faced early exits in the Champions League, which disappointed Messi and the fans. In 2023, Messi decided to leave Europe and join Inter Miami, signaling the end of his European adventure.

What marked Messi's final achievement in international football?

Messi’s final international achievement came in the 2022 World Cup, where he led Argentina to victory in a dramatic final against France. This win solidified Messi’s legacy as the undisputed GOAT, completing his career with the ultimate prize that had eluded him for years.