The GOAT turns 36!

You all must have heard the story of the spider who fell a thousand times but still made the uphill climb due to its never give up attitude. In a green world with two goal posts at each end, the name of that spider is Lionel Messi.

Now many who have just started watching football might say from the outside that the Argentine star has a glamorous life and all the support he needs. But let me answer your question with one of the best quotes the man of few words gave early on in his career, “It took me 17 years and 114 days to be an overnight success!”

A boy who was born in Rosario

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi’s rise to football superstardom is nothing short of legendary. From a young age, Messi showcased an innate talent playing football. His playing career began thanks to his grandmother who accompanied him to the neighbourhood games and asked the coach to try him when their team was a man short. 

While Messi’s talent soon came to notice, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone problem that accounted for his short height. The treatment costs were colossal for every Argentine Club and thus none could sign him as their academy player. Fortunately, the catalan giants F C Barcelona decided to give Messi a tryout and were willing to pay for his treatment as well.

Messi along with his father travelled to Spain and mesmerised everyone at the club with his prowess over football at such a young age. In a documentary Messi said that he juggled an orange over a hundred times as part of the audition.

While it was certain Barcelona wanted to sign the Argentine wonder kid, the contract process was taking time. To pacify Messi’s father, the scout Carles Rexach offered the boy’s father a professional contract on a napkin on unavailability of any paper at hand. The paper napkin contract now rests as one of the jewels of football history at Barcelona’s museum.

Beginning of a golden time

And this way began a golden career where Messi along with a star studded squad made Barcelona the champions of Europe four times, in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015.

Messi’s national time career too was filled with many tough moments before he achieved the ultimate glory with La Albiceleste (The blue and white, nickname for Argentina national team)

Messi had won the U-17 World Cup with Argentina emerging as the best player of the tournament with the most number of goals. He was selected in the squad for the 2006 World Cup and made his debut in the tournament against Serbia and Montenegro assisting Hernan Crespo for Argentina’s fifth goal and scoring the sixth goal himself.

In 2008, a young Argentina squad with Messi in the center clinched the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics as Angel Di Maria scored the winning goal.

Defeats with Argentina

However, as fate would have it Argentina were eliminated consecutively thrice by Germany in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups respectively. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final against them despite dominating most of the game. Messi won the player of the tournament award but his crestfallen demeanor spoke for itself.

Messi’s agony continued with the national team. He lost the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals as well. Argentina were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup by France in the round of 16 where the team struggled.

From Copa America to World Champion in 18 months

But Messi kept on the fire of winning with his national team and soon the tide changed. In the 2021 Copa America, Argentina finally won an international tournament after a long wait of 32 years. 

Under coach Lionel Scaloni and a young bunch of players, found a new rhythm and the squad gave him the perfect balance. Together they went on to win the Finalissima 2022 beating European champions Italy and eventually winning the FIFA 2022 World Cup while beating former champions France in a thriller of a final. Messi emerged as the player of the tournament with 6 goals to his name. 

Truly, his stellar career shows how a simple attitude of ‘not giving up’ can do wonders!

Another Messi quote often seen in posters reads ‘You have to sacrifice to reach your dream!’ and Apeejay School, Saket class 7 student Peerzada Hasnain Makhdoomi believes in it wholeheartedly. He says, “Messi’s dribbling skills inspire me alot. His work rate and dedication is incredible. He has won the Ballon d’Or 7 times and it is no surprise!” 

He also adds, “That night in 2014, the great final against Germany, broke millions of hearts. But through all the darkness, Messi was a ray of hope. I knew that Argentina would win the world cup as long as Messi was there. And on a cold winter night of 18 December 2022, Lionel Messi proved his worth and made Argentina the world champion.”

Another Apeejay School, Saket student Harkirat Singh, who plays as a goalkeeper says, “It is Messi’s simple lifestyle that I like the most. In spite of being one of the most popular football players in the world, Messi leads a normal life outside the pitch. He is silent, modest, and does not let the winds of time change him, both physically and mentally. It is the quality of a champion.”

Whatever the odds, La Pulga (Messi’s nickname) always fights! 

Even if you’re not an Argentina or Barcelona fan, Messi’s incredible journey will surely provide you with immense spirit and many key learnings! 

Here’s wishing the ‘Greatest of All Time, a very happy birthday! 

Feliz Cumple Campeon del Mundo! (Happy Birthday World Champion!)