As people would say, a successful life does not come easy, this statement could be ascribed to the life of Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi is one of the best footballers that has graced the beautiful game of football on planet earth.
But this huge feat didn't come easy for the super star.
Growing up as a kid in Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina, Lionel Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone disorder, a sickness which is commonly called dwarfism in lay man language.
This sickness prevented little Lionel Messi from growing as other children of his age would have grown.
Lionel Messi's talent didn't go unnoticeable despite his limitations as a child, he was scouted by an official from Argentina club River Plate, but the club weren't able to keep up with Lionel Messi's treatment, a treatment that would cost over $1000.
Lionel Messi's dad who worked as a factory worker in Argentina used almost all his pension to start treatment for his child, but the money was little compared to the amount that would be needed to finish the treatment.
Lionel Messi still had a hope of fulfilling his potential as a footballer despite the challenging situation at hand.
Luck shone like a million stars appeared Lionel Messi's way when Barcelona came calling at age thirteen.
The Spanish club were willing to take the risk to sign the talented kid and develop him till he was able to fulfill his dreams of becoming a professional footballer.
Lionel Messi moved to Barcelona and joined the El-Masia, the youth side of the Barcelona team.
He lived close to the Barcelona stadium with his parents and siblings, but his mum later left back to Rosario with his sister leaving Lionel Messi alongside with his dad at Barcelona.
Despite Messi receiving help from Barcelona, the journey throughout the treatment period wasn't an easy one for the Argentine.
Messi had to take injections multiple times everyday, which was a really disturbing situation, but with his mind on a set goal this wasn't a problem.
Messi was always shy and mute during training sessions this was as a result of his physical appearance with his teammate thinking he was a dumb fellow.
Messi completed his growth hormone deficiency treatment at age fourteen and was now qualified to be listed as an integral part of the Barcelona team.
This was the beginning of a beautiful experience that happened in the world of football.
Lionel Messi has rose to become one of the best players that ever graced the game of soccer on earth, he has to his name six Ballon d'Or awards, six European Golden Shoes awards, and in 2020 was named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team.
Lionel Messi has won 35 trophies with Barcelona, which includes ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues titles.
Lionel Messi a joy to behold when on the football pitch finally left Barcelona to join French giant Paris Saint-Germain this summer transfer due to financial fair play rules against Barcelona.
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