10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Lionel Messi
1) Name and Birth: Messi's full name is Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini and he was born in 24th June, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. 2) His family origin: His family is of middle-class Italian origin. His father, Jorge, was a steelworker, and he also coached the local youth football team. 3) Growth hormone deficiency: Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency which was stopping his normal growth rate at the a tender age of 11. Messi's parents, Jorge and Ceclia, decided on regimen of nightly growth-hormone injections for their son, though it soon proved impossible to pay several hundred dollars per month for the medication. At the age of 13, when Messi was offered the chance to train at FC Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, and have his medical bills covered by the team. 4) Barcelona debut: Messi made his debut for Barcelona against RCD Espanyol at age 17. He became the third youngest player to start for Barcelona and the youngest ever to score for...