Top 50 Unknown Facts About Lionel Messi

Top 50 Unknown Facts About Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, the record eight time ballon d’Or winner—often regarded as one of the best football players of all time—has captured the attention of people all around the world with his incredible skill, vision, and consistency. Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987. His incredible journey from a little boy with a growth hormone shortage to a global football icon is very inspiring.

Messi’s struggle with a growth hormone shortage, which had the potential to ruin his career, defined his early years. But his 13-year-old transfer to FC Barcelona turned out to be crucial. The club agreed to pay for his medical care in addition to offering him a spot in their youth academy. His remarkable career was paved with this vital backing.

Messi made his Barcelona first-team debut in 2004 and immediately gained recognition for his amazing dribbling, accurate passing, and goal-scoring ability. Due to his extraordinary talent, he quickly rose to the top of Barcelona’s scoring record and played a key role in their success. The team won multiple championships under his leadership, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.

The incredible career also includes one FIFA World Cup, Two Copa America Finals, One Finalissima with Argentina. He is currently suffering an injury in his ankle during the Copa America final 2024.

Here are Top 50 Unknown Facts about Lionel Messi

1. Early Health Problems: As a young boy, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficit, necessitating costly therapy. The fact that Barcelona promised to pay the expenses was a major factor in his decision to join the team.
2. Catalan Citizenship: In 2012, Messi obtained his Catalan citizenship, acknowledging his strong ties to Barcelona and the surrounding area.
3. First Goal for Argentina: In 2006, a year after making his debut for Argentina, Messi scored his first goal on the international scene against Croatia.
4. Family Background: Messi’s mother, Celia, was a cleaner, and his father, Jorge Messi, worked as a factory worker and a part-time coach for a local youth club.
5. Messi’s nickname: Because of his little size and swift movements, he is frequently referred to as “La Pulga” or “The Flea.”
6. First Contract on a Napkin: In 2000, Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona, which became legendary, on a napkin signed by Joan Gaspart, the club president at the time.
7. Most Goals in a Calendar Year: In 2012, Messi broke Gerd Müller’s long-standing record of 85 goals to set the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year with 91.
8. Many Ballon d’Or Wins: More than any other player in history, Messi has received multiple Ballon d’Or awards with 8 wins.
9. Philanthropy: He provides support to a number of issues, like as the health and education of children, through the Leo Messi Foundation.
10. Youngest Player to Score in a World Cup: In 2006, against Serbia and Montenegro, Messi, then eighteen years old, became the youngest Argentine to score in a World Cup.
11. FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: Despite Argentina placing second, Messi took home the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 2014.
12. Early Career Years Without Tattoos: Messi didn’t have any early in his career. He didn’t begin receiving them until 2010, and one of them was a memorial to his mother.
13. Animal Lover: Messi is well-known for having a deep affection for animals. He owns dogs and a fish as well as other pets.
14. Humble Beginnings: Messi played football on the streets with pals while growing up in Rosario, Argentina, a tiny town.
15. Youngest Player to Score in La Liga: At the age of 19, Messi became the youngest player in La Liga history to score a hat-trick.
16. UEFA Champions League Records: He set the record against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012 and is still the only player to have scored five goals in a single Champions League game.
17. Unusually Low compensation: Because of his initial contract, Messi’s compensation at Barcelona was shockingly low given his remarkable talent.
18. Admiration for Maradona: Messi has frequently stated how much he admires Diego Maradona, referring to him as an idol and an inspiration to football players.
19. First Spanish Super Cup Hat-Trick: In the 2010 Spanish Super Cup, Messi became the first player to score a hat-trick.
20. Retirement from International Football: Following Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa America final, Messi took a brief hiatus from playing for his country, but he soon made a comeback.
21. Messi’s Favorite Food: Messi loves eating asado, an Argentine barbecue, with his family and friends.
22. Sponsorship Deals: One of the most valuable sponsorships in sports history was made when Messi began his career when he signed a long-term sponsorship agreement with Adidas.
23. Won Every Major Trophy with Barcelona: Messi has led his team to victories in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, among other competitions.
24. Has a Star on the Walk of Fame: Messi’s hometown of Rosario is home to an Argentine Walk of Fame star.

25. 

    Family Tradition: Messi frequently discusses his aspirations and triumphs with his spouse Antonela Roccuzzo and their kids.

26. Never Played for Another Club in Argentina: Prior to joining Barcelona, Messi, despite his notoriety, never played for a club in Argentina save Newell’s Old Boys.
27. Rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo: Messi and Ronaldo have one of the best rivalries in football history, with both players frequently being compared in terms of ability and accomplishments.
28. Unexpected Absence: Messi finished as Argentina’s highest scorer in World Cup history despite failing to score in his first five World Cup games.
29. Numerous Records: He has set a number of records while playing for Barcelona, including the most goals scored in a single season and the most goals scored in a La Liga season.
30. Educational institutions: Prior to concentrating solely on football, Messi completed his elementary school in Argentina.
31. Messi’s Number Change: When he first started playing for Barcelona, Messi wore the number 30 jersey. He later changed to the number 19 shirt and finally settled on the number 10 shirt.
32. Own Clothing Line: Messi sells shirts and other items under the name “The Messi Store,” his own clothing line.
33. Impact on Youth Football: With his talent and commitment, Messi has motivated a great number of young football players worldwide.
34. Celebrity Appearance: He has appeared in a number of TV series and advertisements, most notably a significant cameo in the film “The Last Game.”
35. Genius in Maths: Messi is said to be intelligent in math, a subject in which he flourished in school.
36. Messi’s Humility: Despite his notoriety, Messi is renowned for his humility and frequently shies away from the spotlight off the field.
37. Named After Lionel Richie: Lionel Andres Messi is Messi’s full name. His parents loved Lionel Richie.
38. Languages: In order to improve his communication with his colleagues and the neighborhood, Messi has studied Catalan in addition to Spanish.
39. World Cup Final Goal: Argentina defeated France to win the 2022 World Cup thanks in large part to a goal by Messi.
40. Messi’s Early instructors: Messi received the fundamental training he needed for success from his early football instructors in Argentina, who had a big impact on his growth.
41. Messi’s Tattoos: He honors his family with tattoos that feature his mother’s face and the names of his children.
42. First Contract with Barcelona: Messi’s initial contract with the club included a clause stating that he would be released if his therapy did not work.
43. Messi’s idol: In addition to Maradona, Messi has frequently mentioned Ronaldinho, a football player from Brazil, as a key mentor and influence during his formative years at Barcelona.
44. High School friendships: He still maintains close ties with his childhood pals, who frequently pay him visits in Barcelona or when he competes internationally.
45. Messi’s Personal Trainer: Throughout his career, Messi has worked with a number of personal trainers and coaches, including Pep Guardiola, his former Barcelona coach.
46. Golden Shoes: Given to the top goal scorer in European leagues, Messi has won several of these.
47. Messi’s Charitable Contributions in Argentina: In addition to his international humanitarian endeavors, Messi funds regional projects in Rosario, the place of his birth.
48. First Game for Barcelona: At the age of seventeen, Messi faced Espanyol in his formal debut for Barcelona’s senior squad.
49. Messi’s Impact on Football Strategy: His style of play has impacted football formations and tactics, especially the “false nine” role.
50. Messi’s Collection of Honors: His tremendous talent and consistency have been showcased by his numerous individual honors, which include FIFA World Player of the Year and UEFA Best Player in Europe.

Conclusion

The career of Lionel Messi is evidence of his commitment, talent, and fortitude. His services to football have guaranteed his position in the annals of sporting history by serving as an inspiration to many football players and fans worldwide.

These details demonstrate Messi’s profound influence both on and off the field!

Also Read: Top 20 Unknown Facts About Carlos Alcaraz: Rising Star in the Tennis World