10 Intresting facts about Lionel Messi

10 Intresting facts about Lionel Messi

Star footballer Lionel Andrés Messi is touring India with
his national team Argentina for a FIFA friendly match
against Venezuela (on Friday), the first such match
being held in India.
This is expected to give Indian football a much-need
thrust.
Lionel Messi is arguably the best footballer in the world
at the moment. He's won every trophy on offer at the
club level. and is adored by millions of fans worldwide
for the magic he creates on the field. He is often
compared to football legends like Pele and Maradona
and it won't be a surprise if he overtakes them soon in
terms of "greatness", as he is just 24 right now.
As India, especially Kolkata, prepares to be bowled over
by Leo Messi, we tell you 10 interesting facts about his
life:
1. His family is of middle-class Italian origin. While his
father Jorge was a factory worker, his mother Celia
was a part-time cleaner.
2. He was detected with a growth hormone deficiency
at the age of 11. His parents could not afford his
treatment , which was $900 a month.
3. Messi shares his birthplace with the Argentinian
revolutionary Che Guevera. Both were born in Rosario,
Argentina.
4. Barcelona officials were quick to spot his footballing
skills. They offered to pay for Messi's medical bills and
the family shifted to Spain.
5. Messi's first contract with Barcelona was detailed
out on a paper napkin! FC Barcelona sporting director
Carles Rexach was so impressed with Messi's skills
that he wanted to make a contract immediately and
there was no paper available at that time.
6. He was offered a place in the national team by Spain
which he did not accept. He wanted to wear blue-and-
white Argentinian jersey, a chance he first got in 2004.
7. Messi holds two passports - Argentina's and
Spain's. He became a Spanish citizen in September
2005.
8. Messi inherited the No. 10 Barca jersey from another
great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.
9. Messi supports a number of charities through his Leo
Messi Foundation . He also works for people suffering
from Fragile X Syndrome (a disease related to autism).
He is also a a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.
10. He is featured on the front covers of the video
games Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and Pro Evolution
Soccer 2011 and is also involved in promotional
campaigns for the games.