Lionel Messi Biography

Messi Biography

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age for his hometown club, Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency. As his parents were unable to pay for treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain. Shortly after arriving, Lionel tried his luck with a trial at FC Barcelona, despite being only 13 years of age. He excelled at the trial and rapidly found himself starting for the Barcelona B team, averaging more than a goal per game.

Barcelona debut

In October 2004 Messi made his official debut for the first team against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player to ever play for FC Barcelona. When he scored his first senior goal for the club against Albacete on May 1, 2005, Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old, making him the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona.

Argentina U-20

Messi was offered the chance to play for the Spanish national side, but he declined, preferring to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in an under-20 friendly match against Paraguay.

In June 2005 Messi starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship in Netherlands, picking up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel was already being compared to Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football players of all time. This comparison was also done with fellow Argentinian striker Carlos Teves. On June 27, FC Barcelona renewed his contract until 2010, establishing a selling clause of €150 million.International debut

On August 4, José Pekerman called him up to the senior Argentine national team. He made his debut against Hungary. However, he only played for three minutes of the game, being shown a red card, forcing him to leave the field in his first attempt on goal. He left the pitch in tears and the referee was pilloried by many for what was perceived to be a harsh call. Messi famously acknowledged his shortened initiation in international football before Argentina's next match against Paraguay saying "This is a re-debut, The first one was a bit short."2005-06 season

Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on September 25 and was finally able to make his debut in this season's Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled their quota of non-EU players. Messi's first outing in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was on September 28 against the Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful. In December of that year, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in Europe, ahead of Wayne Rooney and Lukas Podolski.

Messi netted 6 goals from 17 league appearances and scored 1 Champions League goal from the 6 games he featured in. His reputation for big match temperament was helped by performances in Barcelona's important away leg victories against Real Madrid and Chelsea in the league and Champions League respectively, each considered his best of the respective campaign. Messi's season ended prematurely on March 7, 2006, when he tore a muscle in his right thigh during the second leg of the second round Champions League tie against Chelsea. Barcelona ended the season as champions of Spain and Europe.World Cup 2006

The injury that kept him from playing for two months at the end of the 2005/06 league, jeopardized his presence in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Nonetheless, Messi was selected in the Argentina squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup on May 15, 2006. He also played in the farewell match against the Argentinian U-20 team and a friendly against Angola. Messi witnessed Argentina's opening match win against Ivory Coast from the bench. In the next match against Serbia and Montenegro, he came on as a substitute for Maxi Rodríguez in the 74th minute. In doing so he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a World Cup. He assisted Hernán Crespo's goal within minutes of entering the game and also scored the final goal in the 6-0 victory. This goal made him the youngest scorer in the 2006 World Cup and the sixth youngest scorer in World Cup history.
Argentina advanced to the Round of 16 as top qualifiers from Group C. In the following game against Mexico, Messi came on as a substitute for Javier Saviola in the 84th minute, with the score tied 1-1. Argentina proceeded to win the game 2-1 in extra time. The win placed them into the quarter-finals, where they lost to the host nation Germany on penalties. Messi did not play in the quarter-finals and spent the entire match on the bench.

Lionel Messi won’t move out of Barcelona for a long time to come

31 Jan 2008
During the transfer season all the big names are heard and put on board for transfers while rival teams pitch their battles to secure the best player within their means. From Ronaldo to Ronaldinho every other conceivable name is heard on transfer saga. If you think the young Lionel Messi is conveniently forgotten in the transfer drama you are mistaken.

Inter Milan has shown interest in pulling away Lionel Messi from Barcelona FC, but the Barcelona sorcerer rested all the rumors of his transfers saying that he would remain with Barcelona for the foreseeable future. Lionel Messi said, “I have Barcelona in my heart and I expect to stay here for a long time.”
Lionel Messi the awesome Barcelona striker who spurred his side to many a wins on the pitch is also a hot contender for the Pichichi award. Lionel Messi pushing Ronaldo behind him took second place behind Kaka for the 2007 FIFA Player of the year award.

Lionel Messi usurped all the glory that belonged to Ronaldinho

31 Jan 2008
Lionel Messi, the young Argentine right winger has in all honest usurped all the glory that once belonged to amazing midfielder Brazilian Ronaldinho. Both the players play hand in hand for Barcelona FC. With Ronaldinho out of form, Lionel Messi took charge and blazed forth on the pitch scoring goals and gifting his side the much needed wins. He thus slowly came to occupy the slot in the hearts of millions of fans that once belonged to Ronaldinho.
In fact, he has come to be adored as the new ‘Messi’ah of the game. True to his brilliant form, at Barcelona Lionel Messi is treated as a shepherd without who the Catalan flock seems to get lost in the wilderness of defeats. In spite of the roaring accolades in the press, Lionel Messi silently does his job and “prefers to do his talking on the pitch.”
At twenty, Lionel Messi the brilliant footballer has plenty of years before him. With his head firm on the shoulders he rightly said, “I want to keep on learning and the thing is to help the team as much as possible.” If Lionel Messi nurtures his passion for the game and maintains the same spirit of enthusiasm that has so far come to be admired by Barcelona officials and fans then the sky is indeed the limit for this amazing striker.

First Full-squad practices

After returning back from their Asian pre-season tour two days ago, the bulk of FC Barcelona’s squad were joined in training yesterday by Lionel Messi, Gabriel Milito and Rafa Marquez, the three players who had been following a separate preparation plan after their participation in the Copa America. Many expectant fans gathered at La Masia to witness the session, finished off with a training match in which the only goal was scored by Leo Messi.
Barça will travel to germany today for their next preparatory game: the Franz Beckenbauer Cup, to be played against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena tomorrow. The clash is intended as a testimonial for Bayern’s player Mehmet Scholl.

The FAB 4 of FC Barcelona

14 Aug 2007
The new Spanish season will bring forward what is no less than a dream team in Football. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the four best attacking players in the modern football era playing together and probably fighting for places in the starting line-up. Many believe than one of the stars might be traded to avoid conflict within the team.
Eto’o is rumored to be on the verge of a move to AC Milan as a result of Henry’s arrival from Arsenal.

No matter what media reports say, one young Barca player thinks that the fabulous foursome can start together and put up a great show. Argentina born Barcelona star Lionel Messi believes Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and himself can all play together in the first team line-up.
Talking about media speculations about his clubs new signings Messi said:
“I am very happy and hopeful thanks to our new signings. Most of all, I am happy for (Diego) Milito and I want to get to know my new team-mates. We are armed to be one of the best teams in the world and to fight for all titles.
“I think that we can play together, it would be spectacular for the fans, but everything will depend on (Frank) Rijkaard. To my view, I would kill to have a place in the eleven.”

Messi confident of starting for FC Barcelona

14 Aug 2007
Barcelona striker Lionel Messi does not believe his place in the Barcelona starting line-up is under threat despite missing the club’s tours of Scotland and Asia. The superstar was given extended leave by Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard in order to recover after having represented his country at the Copa America Cup. In Messi’s absence players like Giovani Dos Santos and Bojan Krkic showcased their talents with some impressive performances.
When asked if he had been thinking about being pushed to the bench, he told the club’s official website,www.fcbarcelona.com: “I am relaxed in that sense.
“It is the boss who will decide who plays. We need to think about the group, about the team, and it doesn’t matter who plays or gets left out.
“I have known them (Giovani and Krkic) both for a long time and have seen what they can do.”

Lionel Messi is the only player who can eclipse Ronaldinho

13 Aug 2007
Lionel Messi is the only player who can eclipse Ronaldinho
Diego Maradona met the talented Barcelona forward and fellow Argentinean Lionel Messi yesterday in Rosario. Speaking about the young Messi, he said, “Leo is a player without limits. He should get ‘10 ‘ one day. He has championships, he has personality, he is only going to get better.
“He’s the only player who can eclipse Ronaldinho.”
Messi just could not believe that these words were coming from the same man whom he has idolized for all these years. Messi said, “When I was small, my dad showed me videos of you. My mother’s dream was that you’d teach me one day.”
Maradona, then said to Messi, “We’re both left-handed, we both hit the heights while young, we both play for Barcelona… and we both scored with a hand that the referee didn’t see,” he laughed.

Barcelona will be very strong title contenders-Lionel Messi

09 Aug 2007
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi told reporters that he is confident that Barcelona will be “very strong” title contenders next season. According to Messi, Barcelona have all the necessary ingredients to win a championship and he also said that he is really excited to play with some of the greatest players of the modern era like Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.
Barcelona’s new signings for the new season include the likes of Thierry Henry from Arsenal, Gabriel Milito from Real Zaragoza, and Eric Abidal from Olympique Lyon.
Messi, who is one of six forwards vying for a first team place this season, firmly believes that current team is very powerful in all the positions and the strong competition in the squad, particularly in the attack, will definitely be a big boost for the side as they look to win both the Spanish first division and the Champions League next season.

Lionel Messi’s Famous boots sold for 4,000 Euros

29 Jul 2007
FC Barcelona’s 20 year old Argentine import, Lionel Messi became an instant celebrity in Europe after he scored the famous solo goal against Getafe CF in a Copa del Rey game. Many fans believe the goal was very similar to Diego Maradona’s famous solo effort against England in the 1986 World Cup.
According to media reports the Argentina striker sold off the boots which he wore when he scored the famous Maradona style goal for Barcelona. The pair of boots has reportedly been sold for 4,000 euros (US$5,514) at an auction in Beijing on Barcelona’s tour of Asia.
The money from the auction will go towards the welfare of disabled children in China.

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