Lionel Messi's Early Life and Struggles
Lionel Messi, a professional soccer player, is an Argentine who plays an attacking role for his country (Argentina) and Barcelona football club in Spain. He came from a working family where his father was a factory steel worker and the mother a cleaner. He started playing at a very young age and his talent was apparent. Unfortunately, he suffered from growth hormone deficiency. The condition makes someone to be of short stature and fragile as well making him or her unfit for sports. Given his family background, they could not afford the treatment since it costed $900 a month. Local football clubs in Argentina were also not ready to incur the cost. The news reached Barcelona and they decided to cater for his hospital bills. They also hired his father as a facilitator in youth football club that would make him earn around $142,000 a year. Messi was treated for 4 years and his height eventually increased to 170cm (without treatment he was supposed to hit a maximum of 150cm).
Messi's Achievements and Records
Although he is still one of the shortest players in the game, it is argued that he is the best player in the world. He has broken a lot of football records such as having the most FIFA Ballon d'Or Awards, scoring more than a hundred goals in UEFA Champions league at a younger age, scoring more than 40 league goals in the Spanish league. He also has been awarded the golden boot severally, defining him as the best in football for the season. Messi is a player that everyone would fancy to watch given his speed, dribbling, and scoring skills. He has managed to overcome most defensive situations and tactics for several teams. He has won all the trophies in football apart from one, the world cup. Argentina has not won the world cup ever since Messi started playing for the club and hence he will be the player to watch in Russia this June.
The Power of Overcoming Challenges
We can learn that despite the negative odds we face, we can still excel in life.
