Lionel Messi is a soccer player who has led Barcelona to Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Club titles. By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. Lionel Messi is the heir apparent to the throne left vacant by Diego Armando Maradona. The waters are divided between those who consider him to be far from being the best No. 10 and those who believe that Messi will be even better than Maradona. Born in Rosario, he cut his teeth in the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys, until a hormonal problem that affected his growth changed the plans of his family and, of course, his personal future. Facing expensive treatment for their son, Messi’s parents moved to Spain as Newell’s were not able to afford the medical costs related to his condition, and even the wealthiest Argentine teams, such as River Plate, refused to foot the bill. After his first trial with Barcelona, the Catalan coaches had no doubts. They decided to sign Messi and pay for his medical treatment. His growth was noticeable within Barca, and in the little time, he came to be considered one of the great talents at the club. He made his debut in the first division in October 2004, against Espanyol, and Barcelona has since adopted him as one of their greatest idols.
Profile
Name:Luis Lionel Andres Messi
Other name:Lionel Messi
Born: June 24, 1987
Star Sign: Cancer
Birth Place: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
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Education:
Profession: Soccer Player
Citizenship: Argentina
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Family
Family:
Parents: Jorge Messi & Celia Cuccittini
Brother: Rodrigo and Matías
Partner: Antonella Roccuzzo (2008–)
External
Facts
Strengths: His ball skills are second to none, his runs from midfield are usually lethal and he is almost impossible to tackle when he gets his head down. His balance when running at speed is incredible.
Weaknesses: Too often he searches for a way to finish moves by himself without looking for team-mates in a better position to shoot at goal.
Career high: Winning the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 awards for the best player in the world.
Career low: He was unable to perform to his best in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Argentina were eliminated in the quarter-finals with Messi looking on from the bench.
Style: Quick, incisive, balanced, a stylish runner with the ball.
Quotes: “Messi is my Maradona,” said Maradona himself, as the head coach of the Argentine national team in 2010.
Trivia: His debut with the national team (against Hungary) was a disaster: he entered the game in the 18th minute of the second half and was sent off just 47 seconds later.