When Did Messi Start Playing Soccer?

When did Messi start playing soccer? Messi’s love for soccer began when he was only five years old.

At a young age, Messi was passionate about soccer and started playing for a local club in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. 

His talent was clear from a young age, and he quickly caught the attention of scouts from some of the top clubs in his home country. And, as they say…the rest is history.

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Key Takeaways From This Article:

• Lionel Messi started playing soccer at age 5.
• Messi had exceptional soccer skills growing up but he always had an uphill battle because of his size.
• Messi moved to Barcelona with his family where he enrolled at Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia. This is also when he got his HGH treatment.

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In fact, we’ll take a dive into the history of Lionel Messi who is known as “The Goat” of soccer.

Early Life of Messi

Family Background

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini.

His father was a factory steel worker and also coached the local youth soccer (football) team. His mother worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop.

Messi has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and a sister, Maria Sol.

Messi’s Childhood

As a child, Messi showed tons of interest in soccer and started playing as soon as he could.

In 1995 at the age of 8, he joined Newell’s Old Boys, a Rosario-based top-division youth soccer club. Messi’s father was his first coach and trained him day and night.

Messi’s small stature and physical weakness were a cause of concern for his parents, who took him to a doctor when he was 11 years old.

The doctor immediately diagnosed him with a growth hormone deficiency that stunted his growth.

Messi’s parents could not afford the expensive treatment, which would cost around $900 every month at the time.

Despite his size, it was around this time when Messi’s talent on the field caught the attention of the coveted FC Barcelona.

Health Issues – Human Growth Hormones (HGH)

In 2000, when he was 13, Messi moved to Barcelona with his family where he enrolled at Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia. This may have gone down as the most incredible back-of-the-napkin deal ever.

The club offered to pay for his treatment, and he started taking growth hormone injections to stimulate his growth.

Messi’s health issues did not affect his soccer ability, and he quickly rose through the ranks at Barcelona.

Let’s pause on the above statement for a bit. If you feel like your size or something else is holding you back from becoming the best player you can be. Use Messi as an example. You are in more control than you think. Don’t let your brain play tricks on you. Identify your goals and trust the process!

Now back to our article…

He made his first-team debut in 2004 and has since become one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Messi’s Time at Barcelona

As mentioned above, Messi joined Barcelona as a young boy from Argentina, and he quickly became the franchise face of the team and the league.

Messi’s time at Barcelona has been marked by numerous achievements, both individually and as part of the team.

He has won countless titles and awards, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Messi has also won numerous individual awards, including seven Ballon d’Or awards, which are given to the best player in the world.

One of the most remarkable things about Messi’s time at Barcelona is his consistency. He has been a key player for the team for over a decade, and he has consistently delivered incredible performances year after year.

Messi’s ability to score goals, create chances, and control the game has made him one of the most feared players in the world.

Messi was undoubtedly a fan favorite. He was (and still is) a symbol of the team and the city, and his loyalty to the club has been unwavering.

Messi has also been a role model for young players around the world, inspiring them with his incredible talent and dedication.

National Team Debut

Messi’s talent on the soccer field quickly caught the attention of the Argentine national team.

In the summer of 2005, Messi made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against Hungary.

He was just 18 years old at the time and was already making a name for himself as one of the most promising young players in the world.

He went on to become a key player for the Argentine national team, leading them to the World Cup final in 2014,  winning the Copa America in 2021 and, most recently, winning his first-ever World Cup in 2022.

Key Career Milestones of Messi

Professional Debut

Lionel Messi began his professional football career at the age of 17 when he made his debut for Barcelona in a friendly match against Porto in 2003.

He was the youngest player to ever play for Barcelona’s first team. Messi’s impressive performance in the match caught the attention of the soccer world and marked the beginning of his successful international career.

First International Goal

Messi scored his first international goal for Argentina in a friendly match against Croatia in 2006.

He was only 18 years old at the time, and the goal was a sign of the great things to come from the young soon-to-be legend.

First Professional Trophy

Messi’s first major trophy with Barcelona came in the 2004-2005 season when the team won the La Liga title.

He played a key role in the team’s success, scoring six goals in 17 appearances.

This was just the beginning of Messi’s trophy-laden career, as he went on to win numerous titles with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles and ten La Liga titles.

Current Status – What Team is Messi On?

Current Club

Lionel Messi currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a French professional football club. He joined the club on August 10, 2021, after leaving Barcelona, where he had spent his entire professional career until that point.

At the time of this article (April 6, 2023), he’s currently playing with the greats, Neymar Jr. and Mbappe.

Update (June 2023): Messi has recently signed with Inter Miami. He will make his debut with the team in July of 2023.  

Individual & Team Achievements

Messi has numerous achievements throughout his career, including winning the Ballon d’Or (an annual soccer award presented by France Football) a record seven times.

He has also won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Additionally, Messi has scored over 700 career goals, making him one of the most prolific goal-scorers in soccer history.

Lionel “The Goat” Messi

Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest soccer players of all-time.

His professional career has been nothing short of remarkable, with countless records broken and numerous awards won.

From his early days at Barcelona to his current status as a global icon, Messi has consistently shown his extraordinary talent, skill, and dedication to the sport.

His ability to score goals, create opportunities for his teammates, and lead his team to victory has earned him a place at the top of the soccer legends pyramid.

As Messi continues to play at the highest level, it is clear that his impact on the game will be felt for many years to come.

Our kid’s kids will be showing YouTube clips of Mess’s extraordinary skills that left defenders on skates.

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