Little Leo's Story

For his immense footballing ability, strong mentality, and worthy leadership skills, Lionel Messi is a man considered by many to be the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). By the age of 21, he had already been granted many awards and nominations. Yes, while he is at the top now, the route to get there was not so simple. Although he was definitely a child born with natural talent, he had his fair share of obstacles on the way, as did most of the accomplished footballers today ("Lionel Messi - Career Stats").

Lionel Andrés Messi is an Argentinian boy that was born in the city of Rosario in central Argentina. He was born into a working-class family with his father being a factory steelworker and his mother a cleaner (“Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: Career Trophies, Goals, Stats and Awards for Football Superstars”). From an early age, Lionel Messi had noticeable talent. When he turned 5, he began playing for the youth soccer team, Grandoli, that his father coached. In 1995, he joined another team, Newell’s, and played for them for several years ("Lionel Messi - Titles and Achievements"). At 11 years old, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. River Plate noticed his enormous locker of technical ability and showed interest in the development he was making as a player. Unfortunately, they did not have enough money for his 500 pound a month treatment of his illness due to the drastic collapse of Argentina’s economy (“Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: Career Trophies, Goals, Stats and Awards for Football Superstars”). Carles Rexach, Barcelona's sporting director at that time, was made aware of his skill and situation. After watching him play, they signed him from Newell’s Old Boys, agreeing to pay for his medical bills if he accepts the offer to Spain.

Although it was hard for Lionel to leave his hometown, he knew this was an offer he couldn't turn down and accepted the offer to play for the Spanish giants ("Lionel Messi - Titles and Achievements"). He and his family moved to Europe so Messi could play for the youth teams. Soon, as if his talent wasn’t evident enough, he showed the world what he could do with the Barcelona B team, scoring 35 goals in 30 matches ("Lionel Messi - Titles and Achievements"). In October 2004, he made his official debut for the senior team becoming the third-youngest player to play for Barcelona ("Lionel Messi - Titles and Achievements"). In May 2005, he scored his first senior goal, and at 17 years old, 10 months, and 7 days, he became the youngest ever player to score in a Laliga game for Barcelona ("Lionel Messi - Titles and Achievements").

Lionel Messi went on to have an astounding career. He has scored 759 goals and gotten 361 assists for club and country, making him the player with the most goal contributions in the history of the sport. This includes 2012, where he broke the currently still active record of most goals in a calendar year: 91 goals ("Lionel Messi - Career Stats"). Lionel Messi has won a Barcelona record: 34 total trophies with the club in all competitions. That includes 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champion League titles, 7 Copa Del Rey titles, 7 Spanish Super Cup titles, 3 UEFA Super Cup titles, and 3 FIFA Club World Cups. He also recently achieved one of his career milestones he has been struggling to achieve for years. After finishing runner-up in the Copa Del Rey on 3 occasions, and Argentina’s sad runner-up finish in 2014, Lionel Messi won his first international trophy for Argentina when he finally won the Copa Del Rey in summer 2021. Messi is currently the all-time leading goal scorer in LaLiga with 474 goals, and also has the record for most Laliga assists (216) as well as the record for most all-time in all competitions with 363 assists ("Lionel Messi - Career Stats"). In the last decade, he has been in clear healthy competition with Cristiano Ronaldo, including in the Ballon d'Or fight, with Ronaldo having 5 Ballon d'Ors and Messi holding the record with 7 ("Lionel Messi - Career Stats"). His enormous amount of goal contributions, trophies, and records all show the brilliant career he has had.

Lionel Messi has proven to the world that he can be successful at the highest level with him being arguably the greatest player to ever touch a football. He had to face the struggles of his childhood to fulfill his ambitions. He did not let the obstacle of his growth deficiency stop him from reaching his full potential. Many middle schoolers may find themselves in similar situations as Messi. As middle schoolers, you should never allow the obstacles or struggles you face on the way to discourage you from continuing on your journey to your final destination.

Works Cited

“Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: Career Trophies, Goals, Stats and Awards for Football Superstars.” Sporting News, 15 Mar. 2022, www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/cristiano-ronaldo-vs-messi-goals-stats-trophies-awards-career/uz3gqlzlkl6uwvhuwwjxif4d.

“Lionel Messi - Career Stats.” Transfermarkt, Transfermarktz, www.transfermarkt.us/lionel- messi/leistungsdaten/spieler/28003/saison/ges. Accessed 5 May 2022.

Ilango, Sriram. “The Lionel Messi Story: How Did He Get To The Top Of The World?” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 3 Oct. 2017, bleacherreport.com/articles/237096-the-lionel-messi-story-how-did-he-get-to-the-top-of-the-world

“Lionel Messi - Titles and Achievements.” Transfermarkt, www.transfermarkt.us/lionel-messi/erfolge/spieler/28003. Accessed 5 May 2022.