At five years, Lionel Messi took his first steps in Grandoli, a neighborhood Soccer club a few blocks from his house, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. The club was run by his father, Jorge. In 1995, Messi began training in the lower divisions of Newell’s Old Boys Club.
At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. His family and club could not afford treatment. Carles Rexach, Coach of FC Barcelona was fascinated to see play young Argentine and signed him immediately. Messi in the Catalan capital would learn to grow in all aspects of his life.
He made his unofficial debut for the first team on November 16, 2003, with coach Jose Mourinho. He scored his first goal in category “senior” to Albacete on the second day of the championship on May 1, 2005 becoming the youngest to score a league goal for Barcelona player.
The story continues like this: 3 Golden Shoe, 5 FIFA Gold balls and the following championships …
