Rosario, Santa Fe
Santa Fe is one of the largest Provinces in Central Argentina, where Rosario, the most populous city within its boundaries, is located, just on the West bank of the Paraná 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 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 his 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 part of Barcelona’s youth Team and befriended Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Piqué.
An Unprecedented Journey & The Conquest of the Final Frontier
In 2004, Lionel Messi debuted for Barcelona’s 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 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 to win 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.
This article has been reposted on RizzSport as a tribute to Jorge Messi, a doting father who did everything to see his son succeed in life. Jorge Messi died at 68.
Gracias…Jorge !!