Lionel Messi, also known as Leo or the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), is one of the most beloved and skilled soccer players of all time. From his record-breaking achievements to his charitable work off the field, Messi has become a global icon and a role model for many young people. But there’s much more to this talented athlete than just his impressive resume. So, let’s take a closer look at 20 Messi facts that will make you appreciate his greatness even more.
1-5 Fun Facts About Messi
1. Messi’s iconic goal celebration of pointing to the sky with both hands holds a special meaning – it’s a tribute to his grandmother Celia, who played a pivotal role in his life and football career. It’s a touching gesture that showcases Messi’s gratitude and love for his family.
2. When Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11, his future in football was uncertain. But thanks to Barcelona’s offer to pay for his medical bills if he moved to Spain, he was able to receive the treatment he needed and go on to become one of the greatest players of all time. And, the contract was written on a paper napkin.
3. It’s hard to imagine Messi as anything other than the football giant he is today, but if Barcelona doctors hadn’t prescribed him daily growth hormones at the age of 13, he could have ended up being a dwarf.
4. According to Forbes, Messi has earned $1.15 billion during his career on-and-off the field.
5. Messi’s left foot is not just a valuable asset on the football field – it’s insured for a staggering 750 million euros!
6-10 Interesting Facts About Messi
6. While Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and David Beckham might be household names when it comes to football, the title of the world’s richest professional soccer player belongs to someone else entirely – Faiq Bolkiah, who currently plays for Portuguese club Marítimo. He might not be as famous as his counterparts, but his bank account certainly doesn’t seem to mind.
7. Messi’s talents on the field have not gone unnoticed, with the Royal Spanish Football Federation even pursuing him to join the Spanish Football Team. However, Messi declined the offer, showing his loyalty to his home country and the team he loves.
8. At the tender age of 18, Lionel Messi made history by becoming the youngest Argentinian footballer to play in the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2006.
9. In 2010, Messi was entrusted with the captain’s armband of the Argentina national team during the World Cup, showcasing his leadership qualities on the big stage.
10. Messi led his team to the World Cup final in 2014, but unfortunately, the Argentinian team lost to Germany in a closely-fought match.
11-15 Amazing Facts About Messi
11. Even at the start of his career, Messi had already won the admiration of legends like Ronaldinho, who saw in him the potential to be the greatest player of all time.
12. Messi’s journey to becoming a legend started with the help of his “big brother” Ronaldinho, who assisted him in his first senior goal.
13. After witnessing Messi’s incredible skills on the field, Fabio Capello, then the Juventus coach, was so impressed that he requested to loan him to his team.
14. Messi’s incredible goal-scoring abilities have earned him a place in the Guinness World Records, with the title for the most goals scored in a calendar year.
Read More: 25 Mind-Blowing Facts About Football That You Should Know
15. In the 2014-15 season, Messi, along with Suarez and Neymar, formed the MSN trio, scoring an incredible total of 122 goals in all competitions. Messi alone scored 58 of those goals, setting a record in Spanish football history.
16-20 Surprising Facts About Lionel Messi
16. It may come as a surprise to some, but Messi is distantly related to his former Barcelona teammate Bojan Krkic – the two are fourth cousins.
17. Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards, winning the prestigious accolade seven times. His first Ballon d’Or win was in 2009, followed by wins in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021. His rival Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times.
18. After missing a penalty in the Copa America final against Chile, which resulted in a loss, Messi announced his retirement from the National team. However, following a massive campaign from Argentina supporters, he reversed his decision a few days later.
19. And, Messi didn’t disappoint his fans. In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals throughout the tournament.
20. Messi has been in a long-term relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, whom he has known since they were five years old. They have three sons together.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Amazing Facts About Messi For Kids.
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