The Story behind the Glory

Leonel Andres “Leo” Messi, the Argentinian soccer powerhouse, was not supposed to be a soccer player. He wasn’t supposed to even reach five feet tall due to a genetic hormone deficiency that is a mild form of dwarfism.

Today Leo Messi is known as the best player on the planet. On Sunday July 13, 2014, he came close to soccer immortality. Winning the world cup would have put him in the group of the soccer elite such as Pele and Maradona. But his team and Messi had to settle for second place, thanks to team Germany, the deserving champs of World Cup 2014.

Even after receiving the Golden Ball award, which makes him the best player of this world cup tournament for leading his national team to the final, it was clear that he could not be consoled. The loss in the final was still too disappointing to appreciate any personal accolade.

His football story begins around the age of 10. He was diagnosed with the growth deficiency syndrome which means he would only grow to be a little man unless he found treatment. The treatment was expensive. Estimates range between $900 and $1,500 per month in medical costs that his family couldn’t’ afford. His father Jorge was a factory worker, his mother Celia was a part-time cleaner.

Messi had one thing going for him. He had talent and it certainly made room for him. He was a dazzling soccer player. Even at the age of 9 or 10, people would gather around to watch him play. They would throw coins and pennies towards him. The local team Newell’s Old Boys was impressed and it offered to pay for his treatment if he joined. They still couldn’t cover all the costs. It wasn’t long before cavalry arrived.

The Barcelona team sporting director at that time, came to know about it. Messi was given a chance for a trial for the Barcelona junior team. A contract was made, his medical expenses would be covered by the club and Messi had to leave his home town of Rosario, Argentina and move to Spain.

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. He was only 11 years old.

Till this day Messi still plays for Barcelona. The 28-year-old is now 5’7 foot, which is still shorter than many other players. But his game is the one of a giant:

- He is the 4 time winner of Fifa (World’s) Best Player of the year , the only player to achieve this feat.

- In 2012 he set a new world record for scoring 91 goals in one season. The previous record was 85 goals by Gerd Muller for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.

- In 2008, he won an Olympic Gold Medal with the Argentina Olympic football team.

- The list goes on.

He 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.

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” Prov. 18:16

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