Lionel Messi, also known as the “Messiah,” has won nearly every competition and individual awards possible at the age of 22. The only tournament he has yet to win happens to be the most prestigious – FIFA World Cup.
The young Argentine showed tremendous talent as a kid, quickly becoming a local celebrity playing for Newell’s Old Boys.
(Lionel Messi, 5 years old)
Messi’s only weakness was his diminutive stature, for he was only 4 feet 7 at 11 years of age. Curious about his height, the directors at Newell’s Old Boys contacted an endocrinologist to conduct a physical, and Messi’s growth hormone deficiency was revealed. Neither Messi’s destitute family nor the club could afford the cost of biosynthetic hormone treatment, costing about 1,000 to 1,500 dollars a month. The doctor advised Messi to fold his dreams as a footballer.
As bleak situation exacerbated, Messi caught a miraculous break. FC Barcelona, one of the largest football teams in Spain, wanted to see Messi in person. Carlos Rexach, sporting director at Barcelona, recollects his first encounter with Messi:
“I turned up to watch and after only three minutes… I could see that he was a small but spectacular player. I said to myself, “we’re having him.”
But the club closely scrutinized Messi for a while, conducting various psychological and physical tests. Barcelona’s doctors concluded that Messi may even grow to be 170cms tall (5 feet 6) with proper treatment – short, but tall enough to play professional football.
Meanwhile, Messi’s father Jorge, growing discontent, delivered an ultimatum to the club at a bar. If the club did not sign his son immediately, he demanded, they would take the next plane to Argentina. Rexach, taking Jorge's demands seriously, unfolded a paper napkin on the table and quickly drafted a contract, agreeing to sponsor Messi's and pay for his medical bills. The most important contract in Barcelona’s hundred year history was soon inked on a piece of napkin.
It did not take long for Messi to shine. In 2004/2005 season, he became youngest player ever to score a goal for Barcelona at the age of 17. In 2005, he led Argentina to victory in U-20 World Cup (under 20) while winning the MVP.
By 2007, many critics were already hailing the 20 year old as the best player in the world but he finished second behind Kaka in FIFA World Player of the year, and finished third in Ballon d’Or, the two most prestigious awards in football.
But in 2008~2009 season, Messi led Barcelona to victory in every single competition (first time in history of football), Argentina to gold medal in Olympics, and swept all major individual awards possible. This season, he tied Barcelona club record with most goals in a season, with 34 goals in 35 league matches and 47 goals overall. He virtually scored a goal every game.
What sets Messi apart from his counterparts is his dribbling. Messi’s dribble is terse, succinct, and to the point. He wastes no time being flashy, as he runs with the ball seemingly attached, magnetically, to his feet. Messi may not be the fastest player in the world, but his soft touches allow him to be the most agile. Simply put, he is poetry in motion.
Fans for ages have been consumed by the Pele vs. Maradona debate, the two greatest legends of the game. Here’s what Maradona had to say:
“The Maradona Pele polemic will end,”
-Diego Maradona, on consequences of Messi winning the 2010 World Cup
Only time can tell whether Messi will become the greatest in history or not. But no one will argue that the once impoverished Argentine boy, in defeating hormone deficiency and converting physical limitations into advantage, continues to inspire so many.
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My name is Lionel Messi, this is my story
When I was eleven, I had a growth hormone problem
But being smaller I was more agile
And I learnt to play with the ball on the ground
Because that’s where it felt more comfortable
Now I realize, sometimes bad things can turn out good
Impossible is nothing.
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