Early Career

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age for his local team, Gremio at the age of five years old. Leo’s father, Jorge was involved in the coaching of this team, and at such a young age, it was clear to see that Leo was at a level so much higher then everyone else. He shortly started to train with the youth system of the nearest professional team to him, Newell’s Old Boys.

However, from the age of 11, he suffered from a growth hormone deficiency. As his parents were unable to pay for treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain, after scouts of FC Barcelona had been made aware of his talents. Shortly after arriving, he underwent a full trial, despite being only 13 years of age. He excelled at the trial and Barcelona chiefs offered to pay for his treatments if he joined them. Leo did so, and took the youth system by storm. He made his unofficial début for the senior team aged just 16, and his official début at 17.