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Find out more about five-time Ballon d’Or winning soccer player Lionel Messi with these 10 interesting facts.
10. Messi Was Diagnosed With A Growth Hormone Deficiency As A Child
Credit: Twitter10. Messi Was Diagnosed With A Growth Hormone Deficiency As A Child
As a 10-year-old child in Argentina, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. As a 13-year-old, Messi relocated to Spain to join Barcelona, and began a treatment plan paid for by the franchise.
9. First Contract With Barcelona Was Written On A Napkin
Credit: Getty Images9. First Contract With Barcelona Was Written On A Napkin
Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach was so impressed with Messi's talents back in 2001, he wanted to sign him immediately after they met, but he had nothing conventional to write on. An agreement was reached, however, and both parties signed a napkin.
8. Has Record For Youngest Argentine To Play And Score A Goal In World Cup
Credit: Twitter8. Has Record For Youngest Argentine To Play And Score A Goal In World Cup
In June of 2006, Lionel Messi set the record for youngest Argentine to play and score a goal in the World Cup at 18 years old. Messi turned 19 during the tournament.
7. Spanish Media Nicknamed Him 'Messiah'
Credit: Twitter7. Spanish Media Nicknamed Him 'Messiah'
As Ronaldinho began to lose some luster, Messi became Barcelona's most popular player in the mid-2000s. The Spanish media nicknamed him 'Messiah' as he was their new darling.
6. Comes From Mainly Italian Ancestry
Credit: Getty Images6. Comes From Mainly Italian Ancestry
Argentina was a hot spot for European immigration after World War II. Thus, it isn't surprising that Messi comes mainly from Italian ancestry.
5. Born In Same City As Che Guevara
Credit: Twitter5. Born In Same City As Che Guevara
Messi was born in the same city (Rosario) as Argentine Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara.
4. Was Charged With Three Counts Of Tax Fraud In Spain
Credit: Twitter4. Was Charged With Three Counts Of Tax Fraud In Spain
Messi's father, Jorge, came under investigation for evading millions of euros relating to Lionel's imaging rights back in 2007 and 2008. Jorge and Lionel are finally expected to stand trial in 2016. Both men face 22 months in prison, but many feel Lionel will ultimately have his charges dropped.
3. First Player With Three European Golden Shoe Awards
Credit: Twitter3. First Player With Three European Golden Shoe Awards
Messi was the first player to ever win the European Golden Shoe award three times (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13).
2. Only Player To Score Five Goals In A Champions League Game
Credit: Getty Images2. Only Player To Score Five Goals In A Champions League Game
Messi scores goals. Lots of goals. It's what he does.
1. Worth $210 Million
Credit: Getty Images1. Worth $210 Million
According to CelebrityNetWorth, Messi is worth a reported $210 million, and has an annual base salary of $44.68 million from his contract with Barcelona and many lucrative endorsement deals.
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