As a child, he often played football with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his cousins, Emanuel Biancucchi and Maximiliano Biancucchi—both of whom also became professional footballers. He began playing organized football at the age of four with the local club Grandoli. A few years later, he joined the youth team of Rosario-based club Newell’s Old Boys, where he showcased exceptional talent.

Diagnosis and Move to FC Barcelona

At age 10, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, a condition that required costly medical treatment. At 13, he relocated to Spain after FC Barcelona offered to cover his medical expenses in exchange for joining their youth academy, La Masia. Messi quickly progressed through the ranks, making his first senior team appearance at the age of 17 in 2004.

Professional Career with FC Barcelona

Messi plays as a forward and is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona, where he became an iconic figure for both the club and the sport.

During his time with Barcelona, Messi won over 30 major trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles, eight La Liga championships, and five Copa del Rey titles. He is both a prolific goal scorer and a creative playmaker, known for his dribbling, vision, and finishing ability. In La Liga, he holds all-time records for most goals (474) and most assists (192), surpassing figures initially reported in earlier sources.

He also set the record for most goals in a single La Liga season (50 goals in 2011–2012) and most goals in a European club season (73, also in 2011–2012). His influence extended beyond Spain, making him a global football icon.