Sports

5 Fun About Barcelona Star Lionel Messi You Don’t Know.

Published

1 month ago-

January 23, 2021

Cedric Ouma

Photo: Barcelona player Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi moved to Spain at the age of 13 and has since been considered to be one of the greatest footballers in the world. Barca and Argentina star has had an impressive career considering the number of individual and team Awards he has received over the past 15 years that he has stepped on the pitch to record first Senior appearance for Barcelona. The 33-year-old has also broken so many records and stills hold the record of highest number of goal in a calendar year scoring for both country and club.

Here are some fun facts about Barcelona greatest of all time player.

1. Real name. The Barca star who was born on the 24th June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina as Luis Lionel Andres Messi, has been known all around the world as Lionel Messi.

2. Declined Spanish Football Federation Offer. The Royal Spanish Football Federation offered Messi an opportunity to join the Spanish Football Team since he has dual citizenship. Messi declined the offer has he insisted on his home country, Argentina. Although Messi could have achieved more silverware had he joined The Spanish National Team but his love for his country was all he needed not to make the switch.

3. Messi partner Antonella Roccuzo. Messi and Antonella Roccuzo have known each other since the age of 5. Antonella was a friend to Messi’s family and his related to his childhood best friend. Although Messi moved to Spain at the age of 13, it still didn’t stop the two from keeping in touch with each other and in 2012 they made their relationship official.

4. Diagnosed with a growth Hormone Deficiency at a tender age. At age of 11, barca star was diagnosed with a growth deficiency with his parents being not able to pay for his treatment. Messi signed a contract with Barca who agreed to finance his treatment and moved to Spain at the age of 13.

5. Barcelona’s greatest ever youth side.

Messi was part of the Barca greatest ever youth side ‘Baby Dream Team’ and during his full season with the youth team he scored 36 goals in 30 appearance.