"Messi is better than me at World Cup '86. He is the best player in the world and better by far compared to others. In 86, in Mexico, I did it with the ball, I grew up and my teammates followed. Now I have explained the same to Leo to do it in South Africa and he has understood," Maradona is quoted as saying by Sport before adding that he wants everything to go through Messi at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Lionel Messi Biography
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, to parents Jorge Horacio Messi a factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner.
Like most other boys in his neighborhood, young Lionel Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge, at the age of five. In 1995, at just eight years of age, Messi joined Newell's Old Boys, based in his home city Rosario.
Growth Hormone Deficiency
At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. It could have meant the end of his soccer career. This may sound a dramatic statement to make about a young boy, but pre-teen Lionel Messi was already destined for greatness. River Plate, Argentina's then most famous club was interested in signing up young Messi, but they could not afford the treatment for his growth hormone deficiency.
Through circumstance, luck, and relatives, Carles Rexach, the sporting director of Barcelona, had been made aware of the extraordinary talents of the young Messi. After watching him play, he offered the family a deal: Barcelona would sign him if the Messi family was prepared to move to Spain. His family moved to Europe and he started in the club's youth teams.
Lionel Messi at Barcelona
Making his debut in October 2004, Lionel was given his big opportunity in the FC Barcelona first team against Espanyol. Messi was the third ever youngest player to play for Barcelona. In May 2005, at the age of 17 years, 10 months and 7 days, Lionel scored his first ever senior goal against Albacete, making him Barcelona's youngest ever La Liga scorer.
Messi made his official debut for the first team in a friendly match against Porto on 16 November 2003 (at 16 years and 145 days).
His breakthrough season was in 2006–07; he became a first team regular, scoring a hat trick in El Clásico and finishing with 14 goals in 26 league games. Perhaps his most successful season was the 2008–09 season, in which Messi scored 38 goals to play an integral part in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign.
Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with six goals, including two in the final game. Shortly thereafter, he became an established member of Argentina's senior international team. In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play in the FIFA World Cup and he won a runners-up medal at the Copa América tournament the following year. In 2008, in Beijing, he won his first international honor, an Olympic gold medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team.
Some Other Messi Titles and Awards
At the U20 Football World Youth Championship in the Netherlands Messi received the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
In 2005 Messi was awarded the Golden Boy title by Italian newspaper Tuttosport as the best U21 player, ahead of prodigies such as Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lukas Podolski.
Lionel Messi at the 2006 World Cup, Germany
Messi had recently recovered from his injury just prior to World Cup 2006, which was held in Germany. He was selected for Argentina to go to the tournament, however was started on the substitutes bench from the outset to ease the pressure on him. He came on in the 74th minute against Serbia and Montenegro, making a noteworthy entrance by assisting a Hernan Crespo goal and scoring one himself.
With this goal in the 2006 World Cup, Messi became the youngest player ever to represent Argentina at this tournament, the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth youngest ever World Cup scorer (Pele was the youngest). The rest of his 2006 World Cup was unspectacular.
2010 World Cup, South Africa
Messi is part of Madardona’s final 23-man squad for the 2010 World cup in South Africa.. Many reckon that Argentina is the dark horse of the tournament. So now the humble Messi who has won every possible award and acclaim in a blistering season for Barcelona, wants to shine at the World Cup for his country.
Sources:
www.lionelmessi.com
www.lionel-messi.net
Wikipedia
Karen Lotter - Karen Lotter is a journalist and writer based in Durban, South Africa. She has written profiles, features, advertising copy, ...
Join the Conversation