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Lionel Andrés Messi, who came into the football world as a floppy-haired young player, later known as ‘The Magician’ of football, turned 37 on Monday (June 24).
In his 18-year-long career, Lionel Messi has given hundreds of memorable moments to billions of fans scattered around the world. This football wizard won almost all the trophies including the World Cup trophy and the Copa America.
Argentinian fans rejoiced at Messi’s first World Cup win at his hand. With more than 800 goals, Messi has countless major trophies in his cabinet. It is quite difficult to select the special moments of such a person.
Who would have thought that the little boy from Rosario, who left his hometown at the age of 13, would one day rule the world football!
Born on this day in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi is the third child of father George Messi and mother Celia Cuccitini. At the age of 11, he developed growth hormone complications, for this, his family could not afford treatment. Messi’s family moved to Barcelona hoping for his treatment.
Barcelona arranged his trial in September 2000. Barça sporting director Carles Rexach was impressed with teenage Messi’s leg magic. On December 14, he signed Messi to the Catalan club on a napkin without receiving a paper. Recently, that napkin was sold for Tk 11 crores in Bangladeshi currency.
Youth World Cups, Olympic gold, all possible league trophies, Champions League, Copa America, La Finalissima, World Cups and eight Ballon d'Ors — these undoubtedly put Lionel Messi on the list of the greatest footballers of all time (GAOT).
Let’s take a look at Messi’s memorable moments –
First Goal
1 May 2005, the day is special for Messi. At the age of 17, he scored his first goal in the senior phase of professional football in a Barcelona jersey against Albacete. In the end, he scored more than 600 goals in the jersey of the Catalan giants.
Debut in the national team
Messi’s debut in international football was not a pleasant one. In August 2005, he made his debut in Argentina’s jersey in an international friendly match against Hungary. 18-year-old Messi entered the field as a substitute in the second half.
However, his durability on the field was only 43 seconds. He left the field after seeing a straight red card. After that, Messi saw only two red cards in his entire career.
Barcelona legend
In 2012, Messi became Barcelona’s top scorer with a hat-trick against Granada in the Spanish league, leaving behind Cesar Rodriguez’s record of 226 goals. After that, he scored 672 goals in 778 matches. In this, he became the legend of Barca.
Records and statistics
He holds the record for most goals in a season in the league. He made this incredible record by scoring 91 goals in 2012, becoming Barcelona’s top goal scorer. At the same time, he has the highest goal in the country’s jersey. He won the maximum 8 Lionel Messi’s all Ballon d'Ors; Photo: Collected
Lionel Messi is the only footballer in the world to win the Golden Ball as the best footballer in two World Cups. Most matches in the World Cup, most goals in a country’s jersey in the World Cup, assists in five different World Cups, captain in the most matches in the World Cup, most minutes played in the field, most goals in the World Cup — all are in his possession.
First international title
In 2021, the world has stopped due to COVID. At that time, Brazil hosted the 47th edition of the Copa in the presence of limited spectators. Argentina won the Copa title 28 years after defeating the hosts in the final at the historic Maracana. And Messi’s trophy cabinet became the first international trophy.
Lifting the dream World Cup trophy in Qatar
Messi also won the elusive World Cup after defeating France at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Popular commentator Peter Drury said at the time, “Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise”. After achieving immortality in football, Messi may have put his hand on the door of heaven that day.
When Messi turned 36 and entered the spring of 37, the Copa America Cup was underway in the United States. At the end of his career, this all-conquering football legend is just enjoying football. The expectation of his fans – as long as he is on the field, the fans will also enjoy his game.
Source: Daily Bangladesh
