5 things about Lionel Messi. The information you didn’t know about arguably the greatest football player in history! Lionel Messi is probably the greatest football player to ever play the game. After aiding Argentina in winning the Copa America 2021, the young magician, whose career ranks among the most brilliant and decorated of all time, has now added an international trophy to his collection.
The 34-year-old has already broken a number of historic records in his illustrious career and is the first player in football history to have won seven Ballon d’Or medals. This post contains some fascinating information on the diminutive Argentine. These six surprising facts about Lionel Messi are likely things you didn’t know.
#5 Coke Lover:
Messi was raised in Rosario, the exact same city as the celebrated rebel Che Guevara, as everyone is aware. He had a growth hormone deficiency when he was young, which required expensive medicine to address. Many believe that when Barcelona signed him in 2001, they paid for his counseling.
Contrary to popular belief, his medication was covered by the Argentine social security system. Despite his health difficulties, Messi joined Barcelona at the age of 13 years old, and like any other adolescent, he developed a fondness for cola drinks. He loved aerated drinks so much that they were putting his health in jeopardy, therefore every one of the soda machines in La Masia had been removed.
#4 Leonel Mecci or Lionel Messi?:
Messi made a name for himself on the Spanish shore, but over the Atlantic, in Argentina, he also became well-known. He was a newcomer even if he was Barcelona’s favorite child. Not everyone knew about the little prodigy, who would eventually become adored in both Argentina and Spain.
The Argentine Football Association initially called Messi up for the Under-20s without knowing his name. He was the only player at the time to work outside of Argentina. When the military finally called him, it was directed to a “Leonel Mecci.”
#3 The Beginning:
On August 17, 2005, Messi, then 18 years old, made his Argentinean debut at the age of 18, coming on to replace Lisandro Lopez during the 63rd minute of a friendly match versus Hungary. It was supposed to be the day that Messi’s romance with La Albiceleste began, but it didn’t work out that way. Messi only played for 43 seconds, but immediately as he did, he had the ball in his possession. To make a good first impression, he began one of his famous runs.
However, Vilmos Vanczak of Hungary seized the 18-year-old by the shirt, so it was not to be. The referee ruled that Messi’s elbow to Vanczak’s face while trying to shake him off was intentional. The youngster received the ultimatum and went back to the locker area before others could see him! After his underwhelming start, Messi was reportedly found weeping in the changing room with his head in his hands.
#2 A Dictionary Word:
When trying to describe Lionel Messi’s genius, words are meaningless; in fact, dictionaries can’t keep up with the youthful prodigy. In February 2013, the Spanish dictionary Santillana introduced the word “Inmessionate” to its catalog.
The phrase approximately equates to: “The best way to engage in football, with limitless possibilities for personal development.” It was chosen according to then-Argentine trainer Alejandro Sabella in cooperation with Pepsi. and “Explains how Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest football player in history,” respectively.
However, Messi isn’t the only football player having a dictionary meaning. In 2012, Sweden added a phrase to the Swedish language to recognize Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brilliance.
#1 He sides in team pictures:
Despite Messi’s extraordinary football skills, he still possesses certain human qualities because even the finest among us are mortal. The small Argentine standing in the left-hand corner of every team shot is always posed arm in arm with his countrymen but in a slightly different posture.
The former Barcelona great’s hidden inferiority complex from his formative years is to blame for it. He continued to be the most gifted of his teammates at the time, but he hadn’t yet completely changed the game of football.
By standing alone on the opposite side of the frame and providing an appearance that he is taller than his fellow players, who must likewise bend their knees in order to get the perfect shot, Messi can escape having to do so.
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