Lionel Messi is a professional football player from Argentina who is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.
Throughout his career, Messi has provided some of the best moments on a playing field, making him nearly always one of the favourites when betting on an Online Sportsbook. Here is the full story of Lionel Messi, and what he has in store for the future.
Young Career
Messi’s story is one of incredible perseverance and hard work. He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at a young age, which meant that he was much shorter than his peers. However, his passion for football and his talent on the field was apparent from a very early age. Messi started playing football at the age of five and was soon discovered by a local club, where he began his professional career.
Messi’s rise to fame began when he joined the youth academy of FC Barcelona at the age of 13. He quickly rose through the ranks of the club’s youth system and made his debut for the senior team in 2004. Since then, Messi has won numerous titles with Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.
Talent on the Field
Messi’s talent on the field is undeniable and he has been recognised with numerous individual awards, including seven Ballon d’Or awards. He is known for his incredible dribbling skills, his ability to score goals from seemingly impossible angles and his leadership on the field.
Off the Field
However, Messi’s legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He is widely regarded as a humble and gracious person off the field, and he has used his platform to advocate for social and environmental causes. He has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including the Leo Messi Foundation, which works to provide health and education opportunities to children in need.
Messi’s journey from a young boy with a growth hormone deficiency to one of the most beloved football players of all time is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of football players and fans around the world.
The Return
In the most recent game in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Messi wasn’t the only player to seem to go missing on the pitch. As pointed out by fellow teammate Mbappe, Bayern was always going to be a formidable opponent, being “built to win the Champions League.”
In contrast, it seems that PSG’s owners have created a club built on fragile foundations that isn’t able to support the pressure required by having three superstars at the club and their huge salaries.
It is also fair to argue that Messi isn’t as invested in the economy of PSG as they are in him. We all know that it wasn’t a fun time for Messi to leave Barcelona, and everybody knows they are still his club. Xavi Hernandez has come out publicly saying that Camp Nou is still the home for Messi.
If Messi wants to stay playing football in Europe beyond the end of the season, a return to Barcelona is the only logical choice, both as a sporting endeavour and a personal one.
If he was to stay at PSG, he would most likely be paid more money than at Barcelona, or he maybe even go somewhere else, with potential moves to Saudi Arabia and the MLS being spoken about. However, financial implications may not be a thought for Messi at this moment.
If he is indeed thinking about a potential return, he needs to make considerations in regards to his high wage demands, especially due to the current financial situation that Barcelona is in.
If he is still motivated by money this late in his career, the best choice for Messi would be to stay firmly where he is at PSG or join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. All this being said, Messi is a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, which gives him the right to do whatever he wants or feels is best for himself and his family.
Big Decisions
If Messi wants to get his hands on another Champions League winner medal, it seems that he is wasting his time at the Parc des Princes, as things are expected to worsen even further in the coming months. To avoid sullying his reputation in any way, retirement seems like it could be the best option for Messi.
Quitting doesn’t seem to be on his mind at all, having not even called time on his international duties even after winning the ultimate trophy in December at the Qatar World Cup. It is actually the opposite, with Messi firmly believing he can lead his fellow countrymen to a World Cup defence in four years’ time in North America.
This firmly shows that fire is still burning in Messi’s belly, at least when it comes to representing his country. So while many believe that he has completed the mighty conquests that surround the beautiful game, it seems that he is not finished yet.
By Alejandro Fernandez
