The debate about Messi or Ronaldo remains the most frequent among the many questions asked of football legends like Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho.
Even those who know little about football often mention Messi and Ronaldo. These two players are so famous worldwide, transcending the sport itself.
In cinema, fans often ask, “Are you an SRK, Allu Arjun, Salman, Ajith, or Vijay fan?” Similarly, in cricket, it’s “Sachin or Dhoni?” For years, in football, the question has been “Messi or Ronaldo? As the World Cup draws near, Messi and Ronaldo are frequently in the lead. Many football legends, including Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho, are often asked this question. Most of them, including Maradona, who went as far as to call Messi his football heir, chose Messi. Today, the world-renowned Messi celebrates his 37th birthday.
Despite the global acclaim, Messi had to overcome numerous humiliations to reach this position. Many lose their life dreams due to ridicule. Messi nearly lost his favorite game, football, due to his short stature. Let’s rewind and explore his journey.
On June 24, 1987, Lionel Andrés Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina. From a young age, Messi had an immense passion for football but was rejected by many coaches due to his short stature. His father, Jorge Messi, became his first coach. Seeing his potential, Messi’s grandmother, Celia, pleaded with several coaches to give him a chance. Due to financial constraints, Messi played without shoes until Celia borrowed money from relatives to buy him a pair.
Despite these challenges, the biggest obstacle was his height. Doctors diagnosed Messi with a growth hormone deficiency. Unfazed, Messi turned his obstacles into goals, astonishing everyone with his skills. His childhood coach, Mirante, recognized his talent early on. By age 9, Messi had already started making a name for himself in the football world.
Recognizing his talent, Barcelona’s football team in Spain agreed to cover his medical expenses. Messi debuted for Barcelona in 2004, scoring his first goal against Espanyol. Each time he scores, he raises his hands to the sky in dedication to his grandmother, who played a pivotal role in his journey.
Despite his legendary status, Messi faced criticism for not winning a World Cup. In 2014, Argentina, led by Messi, lost to Germany in the final. In 2022, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in the league round, further fueling criticism. However, Messi turned his fate around and finally kissed the World Cup trophy in 2022, shedding his “unlucky” label.