When Did Messi Start Playing Soccer?

Lionel Messi is a world-renowned footballer who has made an immense contribution to the sport. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, and his career has been a remarkable one. But when did Messi start playing soccer? In this blog post, we will explore the early years of Lionel Messi’s life and his journey into the world of soccer.

Messi Early Life

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. His full name is Lionel Andres Messi, and he was the third of four children born to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini. From a young age, Messi showed a keen interest in football. His father, who worked at a steel factory, was also a football fan and used to take Lionel to watch matches. Lionel’s love for football was evident, and he would often play with a ball whenever he got the chance.

Messi’s talent was spotted by his family, and they encouraged him to pursue football seriously. However, Messi’s family faced many challenges, and they were not financially stable. When Messi was just six years old, his family faced a crisis when his father lost his job. This affected the family’s financial situation, and Messi’s family struggled to make ends meet.

Despite these challenges, Messi continued to pursue his passion for football. He joined a local club called Grandoli at the age of six, where he started playing organised football. Messi quickly caught the attention of his coaches, and they recognised his talent. Messi’s talent and passion for the game were evident, and he was soon scouted by a bigger club.

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The Move to Newell’s Old Boys

At the age of eight, Messi joined Newell’s Old Boys, a club in Rosario, Argentina. Newell’s Old Boys was one of the most prestigious clubs in the country, and Messi’s move to the club was a significant step in his football career. It was here that Messi began to develop his skills and refine his game.

Messi quickly became a star player at Newell’s Old Boys. His talent was evident, and he was soon playing with players much older than him. Messi’s skill and agility on the field were remarkable, and he quickly caught the attention of the football world.

The Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency

However, Messi’s early years were not without their challenges. At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. This condition meant that Messi’s body was not producing enough growth hormone, which affected his growth and development. Messi’s family could not afford the treatment, which was expensive.

At this point, Messi’s football career was in jeopardy. Without treatment, Messi’s condition would have made it difficult for him to continue playing football at a high level. However, Messi’s talent had not gone unnoticed, and he had caught the attention of one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world.

The Move to Barcelona

At the age of 13, Messi was offered a trial with FC Barcelona, one of the most successful football clubs in the world. Barcelona had been monitoring Messi’s progress, and they were impressed by his skills and talent on the field. Messi’s family saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and decided to move to Barcelona to give him the chance to pursue his football career.

Messi’s move to Barcelona was a significant turning point in his career. It was here that he received the treatment he needed for his growth hormone deficiency, which allowed him to continue playing football at a high level. Messi’s time at Barcelona was marked by incredible success, and he quickly became one of the most successful footballers in the world.