1. Lionel Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a child, which almost prevented him from pursuing a professional football career.
2. He joined FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, at just 13 years old, where the club agreed to pay for his medical treatment.
3. Messi holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, netting 91 goals in 2012.
4. He is the only player to have won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award seven times (as of 2021).
5. Messi has scored over 700 career goals, a feat achieved by only a handful of players in history.
6. He has a unique playing style characterized by his low center of gravity, allowing him to change direction quickly and evade defenders.
7. Messi is also known for his incredible playmaking ability, with thousands of assists to his name throughout his career.
8. He has won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League and La Liga championships.
9. Despite his fame, Messi is known for his humble nature and philanthropic efforts, including establishing the Leo Messi Foundation to support access to education and health care for vulnerable children.
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10. In 2021, Messi made a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after spending his entire professional career at FC Barcelona.
