Messi: The must-read biography of the World Cup champion, now fully updated (Guillem Balague's Books)

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Lionel Messi says he's feeling strong after he inspired Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia to reach the World Cup final

Best-selling co-author of Soccernomics and longtime Financial Times journalist Simon Kuper tells the story of how FC Barcelona became the most successful club in the world — and how that era is now ending. What more is there to say about this legend? I grew up knowing and seeing him everywhere and I’ve watched every single one of his matches during the 2022 World Cup and he is just magical. Watching him play is something else. This book gave a nice insight into what it takes to become a footballer, the dedication, hard work, and the importance of staying humble and always remembering where you came from. Published in 2012, Argentine journalist Leonardo Faccio describes how Messi, as a talented youth player in Buenos Aires, left his home for Spain in search of the medical help his family could not afford to treat his rare hormone deficiency. Small in stature, but possessing tremendous natural gifts, Messi developed into a star at Barcelona’s famed Masia Soccer School.Messi dan ayahnya pergi meninggalkan Rosario menuju Barcelona pada tanggal 16 September 2000 dan memulai debut pertamanya di lapangan Amposa dengan kostom Blaugrana bernomor 9 pada tahun 2001 dan bersama Barcelona juga Messi menuai sukses baik di Tim maupun personal. In terms of football, I hope he makes history like Pelé, like Maradona; I hope he goes far, very far. But above all, as a mother, I hope to God he will be happy, that he has a family, that he lives life, because he still hasn’t really lived. He has dedicated himself to football, body and soul. He doesn’t go out, he doesn’t do many of the things that young people his age do. That’s why I hope he has a wonderful life. He deserves it.’

Throughout the book we learn of the many adversities that Messi has faced from childhood, including his growth deficiency, as well as financial and family troubles. Leo recalls his nightly routine of administering hypodermic shots filed with growth hormones, as well as the tremendous pain that occurred in the process. Messi also talks about what his life was like while in the Barcelona academy, and the tremendous amount of pressure that was placed on his shoulders. Guillem Balague has had unprecedented access to Messi's inner circle including the player himself: his coaches, team-mates and family. From tracing the origins of Messi's precocious talent in Rosario, Argentina, to chronicling his peerless seventeen-season career at Barcelona, and his tumultuous Parisian adventure, Guillem presents an authoritative and compelling account of an enigmatic footballing genius. Messi was very small for his age and had a growing disease and he played for his team Argentina called the “ Newell’s young boys.” He immediately was the best player on the team and also the smallest player on the team. On 24th June 1987, a little boy, weighing 3 kilos, pink and healthy, was born to a modest couple in a not-so modest town of Rosario, Argentina.Lionel Messi faced a major problem with reaching his goal of becoming a professional soccer player. At an early age Messi otherwise known as “La Pulga”, small fly, was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Seen by many as a weakness was later made into a strength by Messi. Not giving up Messi at the age of 13 found himself getting a contract by a professional soccer club called Fc Barcelona. Treating a growth hormone deficiency takes a lot of money which Messi’s parents didn’t have at the time. Looking pass Messi’s disability the club fully paid for the treatment and brought him and his family to Barcelona, Spain to begin their new life. Presumably the most gifted player since Diego Maradona. However since I vaguely remember Maradona's actions on the pitch, and I've been following Leo since 2005, no need for a genius to sum up to whom the vote would be. A Yes off course! Now Messi is a core of FC Barcelona. I mean he s a key player. His teammate try to support him. I think FC Barcelona is the strongest football club in the world. Messi stepped up to the spot, as he did against the Netherlands in the round before, and gave Argentina the lead with an emphatic strike into the top corner. Containing exclusive, illuminating interviews with deep thinkers and high achievers from a number of different fields, the book delivers a fresh and inspiring approach to a global icon, ensuring that you will never look at Lionel Messi — or life — in the same way again.