Leo : The Destiny’s Child

Rosario, Santa Fe

Santa Fe is one of the largest Provinces in Central Argentina where  Rosario the most populous  city within its boundary is located, just on the  West bank  of the Parana River, some 300 kms from Buenos Aires. This is where Jorge Messi worked as a Manager in a Steel Factory and his wife Celia Cuccittini worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. The hardworking couple were blessed with their third child in 1987, when Lionel Messi was born on 24th June and thus began the extraordinary  story of an amazing child.

Shattered by an Early Loss

Lionel Messi fondly called Leo,  was introduced to football by his father, who made him join a local club when he was just 4 and trained him too. The talented Leo then moved to Newell’s Old Boys club in Rosario where his talent took wings. But more than his father, it was his maternal Grandmother who took Leo to the club for training  and to the matches and to whom Leo was closest too. Things were going on well, but then Celia, Leo’s grandmother suddenly passed away. Leo just about 11 was  shattered and shaken to the core. The little boy just went into a shell.

Growth Hormone Deficiency, But the Talent is Enormous

The loss of  his grandmother coupled with his health threatened to nip in the bud a glorious future. Leo was not growing the way normal kids of his age grew and he appeared to be dwarfing. He was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency, the treatment of which was extremely expensive. Leo was exceptional as a player,” when you saw him you would think  this kid can’t play ball. He’s a dwarf, he’s too fragile, too small. But immediately you’d realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive”, these were the words of Adrian Coria who coached the youth team at Newell’s Old Boys Club.

Diminutive Leo braces for Barcelona

The Health Insurance of Jorge Messi could best support treatment of Leo for two years and therefore a sponsor was desperately required. Unfortunately no one came forward to invest in Leo’s health in his home town. Some said Yes initially but later backed out. Leo had by then  established himself as a rare prodigy, the only hindrance being his health. With relatives in Catalunya, Spain, Leo’s family tried to get a hearing with Barcelona. They agreed to meet and when First Team Director  Charly Rexach saw Leo, he was impressed and wanted to give him a contract, but the Barcelona Club Board were apprehensive of signing a foreign player  at such a tender age. Time was running out, but as wished by the Almighty, the Club agreed and it so happened that Charly Rexach offered a contract to Messi on a paper Napkin.

The Mute, Homesick Wonder

Jorge Messi moved his entire family in Feb 2001 to Barcelona. Leo’s treatment was not an easy affair and he lived with needles piercing him off and on. Initially he hardly played . He had no friends and his interaction with his teammates was negligible. He was so quiet that other children felt he was mute. His mother, his two brothers and little sister came back to Rosario while Messi stayed in Barcelona with his father, making Messi terribly  homesick. But then his incredibly sublime talent could not be held back and as Messi’s health improved he became an integral of Barcelona’s youth Team and befriended Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique. 

An Unprecedented Journey & The Conquest of  the Final Frontier

In 2004 Lionel Messi debuted for Barcelona Senior Side and the rest is History. The Destiny’s child encountered every hurdle both physical and emotional and chased his dreams. He has won everything possible in his career as a footballer and has done it with grace and dignity. His parents played a huge part too  in his development with immense sacrifices. Leo Messi never ever forgot his grandmother and whenever he scored a goal he raised his hands skywards dedicating it to his grandmother. A fairytale of a script reached its climax when Lionel Messi led Argentina, won the World Cup in Qatar after a gap of 36 years. Leo had conquered the last frontier.

Lionel Messi’s  a great story, a fairytale, a journey of miracles from the miracle man himself, who entertained and gave great joy to people across the Globe. 

Gracias…Leo !!

Keep reading @rizkhan.in

Featured Image Courtesy The Mirror