FC Barcelona skipper Luis Lionel Andres Messi was born on 24th June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He was born into a middle-class Italian family. Messi is the second richest football player in the world with a net worth of 180 million dollars. The star footballer is happily married to his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo since 2017 and is a father to three sons: Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi and Ciro Messi. Now we will tell you some of his amazing unknown facts.
Some Unknown & Interesting Facts about Lionel Messi:
1. Messi was suffering from Growth Hormone Deficiency in childhood
Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11. His father couldn’t afford his treatment price of 900 dollars per month. Messi signed the first contract at the age of 13 with FC Barcelona and shifted to Spain and the football club agreed to pay for his treatment.
2. Messi’s first contract
His first contract was written on a paper napkin.
3. First football club
Lionel was part of the ‘Baby Dream Team’ and was the top scorer with 36 goals in 30 games
4. Debut
He made his debut for FC Barcelona on November 16, 2003, and was the youngest player to ever score for Barcelona.
5. Offer he denied
Messi was chosen by the Royal Spanish Football Federation to join the Spanish Football Team, which he declined.
6. Two passports
FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi holds two passports – Argentina’s and Spain’s.
7. His reason for the Number 10 jersey
Messi had inherited the number 10 Barca jersey from another great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.
8. His first award
Messi won his first Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2009.
9. His social work
He is the founder of the organization named Leo Messi Foundation which helps in providing children with the best opportunities for education and health care. He is a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. Messi has also donated 600,000 euros towards the refurbishment of a children’s hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
