Many years after Messi decided to go to Europe, father Jorge admitted that if he had to make the decision again, if he could change the story of the past, he would never let his family must separate…

Lionel Messi will sit at home watching the World Cup final draw this weekend. He is in the process of recovering from a muscle injury suffered in November.

It is a special type of injury that has a very negative impact on fast and agile players who often have to accelerate and explode at decisive moments. When muscle endurance reaches its limit, injury will occur. It robs stars of their magical moments. Messi, like every other player, needs time to recover.

That’s why the Argentinian genius decided to return to his homeland to rest with family and friends. Here, Messi will find his inherent strength and will recover to be ready for the most important train of his life next summer: the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

World Cup: Life’s obsession

While reaching the peak of his career with a series of titles (4 Golden Balls, 3 Champions Leagues and 6 Ligas), Leo suddenly had to stop at the wrong time. The opening day of the World Cup is near. Like Diego Maradona, “flea” Messi also carries the hope of an entire country.

In 1986, the genius Maradona almost single-handedly brought Argentina to the world championship. That journey helped him be recognized as the best player in history. A similar glory in Brazil will bring that to Messi.

Messi is obsessed with the World Cup – Photo: Getty

If Messi loses, criticism will arise again, from his own homeland. Previously, many people denied Messi’s position in the history of Tango football, among the ranks of Argentina’s most outstanding stars.

Although Pep Guardiola and many other coaches and players always think of Messi as one of the greatest players in history, his homeland still does not think so. If Messi cannot win a world championship before retiring, he will also be immersed in a feeling of helplessness. Number 10 will feel that he has made a mistake towards the nation, disappointing his family, friends and himself.

Hormone deficiency, injection every night for 3 years in a row

But Messi is no stranger to adversity. Possessing natural genius, Messi has had to fight with growth hormone deficiency since he was a boy. He had to leave his family at a young age, faced challenges early in Europe, and paid a lot to grow up like a normal child.

Messi recalled: “When I was 11 years old, it was discovered that I had a growth hormone deficiency. I started receiving treatment to develop normally. Every night, I had to have an injection in my leg, night after night, every day of the week. That went on for three years.”

“I used to be very small. People say that when I enter the field, when I go to school. I have always been the smallest child. It was like that until I finished treatment and started to develop normally.”

Messi in his childhood – Photo: GABRIEL PICO

The treatment process is very effective but costs too much money, about 1,500 USD/month, far beyond Messi’s family’s ability to pay. Social welfare helped his family partly, but that only lasted for 2 years.

Mr. Jorge Messi, Leo’s father, had no choice but to go to Newell’s Old Boys Club, the local team that really wanted Messi. “They said ‘we will pay for the treatment, don’t worry’,” Jorge shares. But everything is like begging. They only gave me 300 pesos (over 22 USD) and nothing more. If they pay, of course the boy has to stay at Newell’s.”

Messi’s former teammate, Gerardo Grighini, recalled: “He took the injection as if it were a completely normal thing. What has made him achieve his current success is his talent and belief in himself. Leo knows what he has to do to become a professional footballer.”

“Week after week, before going to bed, 7 days on one leg, 7 days on the other leg. He did it very naturally.”

Grighini continued: “I don’t think any 10 or 11 year old boy can possess the willpower strong enough to say ‘I will do this because it is useful for my future…’. But Messi knows it will help his dream a lot.”

Smaller but faster, more skillful

Messi himself is also optimistic: “I think being smaller than others helps me move faster. It’s very helpful when you play football.”

Mr. Adrian Coria, a former coach at Newell’s, currently a member of Barcelona’s technical staff, also shared a similar opinion: “Maybe we are not aware of this. But in a way, being smaller is also an advantage. You can control the ball better, you react quickly and with more speed than the rest.”

Of course, there are still many people who question the use of growth hormone for a 10-year-old child. The doctor who treated Messi, Diego Schwarsztein, explained: “Is it doping? Growth hormone is used as a supplement for adults (like a medicine). They give them advantages in sports activities.”

The smallest but the fastest and most skillful – Photo: Getty

“But you have to recognize the difference between them. Adult growth hormone treatments are used by people who don’t really need them but are just looking for physical advantages. They take high doses and can cause negative effects. And this is a treatment for a child who lacks physical development.”

But why spend so much time, effort and money on a 10-year-old child? Messi’s former coach at Newell’s, Mr. Gabriel Digeralamo, explained: “The technique he possesses is unlike anyone I have ever known. One time I saw him play libero. What surprised me was that he seemed to have been playing in that position for many years.”

“The director of Newell’s once told me to organize some ball-tossing performances before the game or during breaks. When we go to Mar del Plata, or other places, before the match, he comes out to perform. And people started throwing money at Leo.”

“For 15 minutes, he never let the ball touch the ground. People came around and started throwing coins at Leo. In Peru, I think he had to juggle the ball 1,200 times in a row. He’s only 9 years old.”

“One time he made five overhead shots in a row against another player. The guy immediately threw Leo down on the ground and started grabbing his legs. Leo is only 1.4 m tall and the other guy is 1.7 m tall. That’s how he enjoys playing football. Leo doesn’t do it to show off… no, no, no. He never did that. Never.”

Another coach of Newell, Mr. Quique Dominguez, recalled: “We have the example of the greatest icon in the past – Diego (Maradona), who was devastated by alcohol, partying, and an excessive ego. big and long disagreements… Leo is not one of them. For Leo, the ball is like a part of his body.”

Messi’s former teammate, Juan Juan Leguizamon, recalls old memories. He affirmed that with Messi, Newell’s young team was almost unbeatable: “In the final of a tournament, I remember that if we won the championship, we would have a new bike. The team started the match without Messi, he was not present. We ended the first half trailing 0-1. Then Leo arrived. He was locked in his bathroom and had to break the glass door from the inside to escape. We ended the match 3-1 thanks to Leo’s three goals.”

Difficult decisions and first days in Barcelona

But things are not simple for little Leo. Financial difficulties are increasing while Messi becomes more and more mature every day. His physical problem needs to be resolved immediately. The long-term solution is to travel 10,000 km to the other side of the ocean. There, Barca is waiting for the same offer.

This is perhaps the most important step to help Messi become the number one superstar in the football world.

But the price to pay is extremely expensive. From that moment on, Messi’s family was never truly together again.

The 6 months after the fateful adventure to Barcelona were a time of many challenges. Little Leo, barely 13 years old, must make a decision that will affect not only himself, but his entire family.

Messi and his family as adults – Photo: Getty

Two injuries occurred during that period and problems during the transition process caused Messi to almost not be able to play. Things got worse because Messi’s family had to struggle to adapt to a new life. Remember that family also has a 6-year-old daughter. They decided to sit down and discuss it together. Only one question appeared and only one person answered at that time. That’s Messi. The question is “What will happen? Shall we stay or leave?”

Messi’s answer will shape his and his family’s future. Above all, it determines the happiness of the remaining members.

Mr. Jorge Messi recalled: “I asked Leo what he wanted because the decision was his. If he wants to return to Argentina, we will go with him.”

Leo looked at me and said: “No, I want to stay, I want to play football in Barcelona, ​​I want to play in the first division for Barcelona.”

Mr. Jorge continued: “That’s his decision. No one can shake it. That’s why I stay with it.”

Messi’s family separated from here. Mr. Jorge stayed behind, and Mrs. Celia Messi returned to Rosario with the three remaining brothers in the Messi family. Until now, Celia still lives in Argentina and Jorge lives mainly in Spain. Many years after that day, Mr. Jorge admitted that if he had to make the decision again, if he could change the story of the past, he would never let his family be separated.

After leaving behind family troubles, Messi’s life in Barcelona still faces many difficulties. Contracts are starting to become Leo’s new problem. Leo’s agent told Messi’s family that he would receive 100 million peseras/year and his father would get a job. The first part of the promise never came true. The second part took a month to be confirmed. Since then, Mr. Jorge has not only been Leo’s father but also became the boy’s manager.

A further agreement was agreed on December 5, 2001, nine months after the first contract was signed. 14-year-old Leo will receive a salary equivalent to a player in the Barcelona B squad while his father receives a sum of money to renovate the apartment – an ingenious form of compensation from the club.

The rest of the story has become legendary.

At the age of 12, many boys pursuing the dream of professional football cannot become players. They fail for many different reasons. Leo is one of the rare names that is lucky enough to succeed.

The desire to pursue his dream to the end has helped Messi build a career. Family is the fulcrum for him. The football world needs to thank those two great efforts. Because of that, we have a genius.