Who is Lionel Messi: The success of “La Pulga Atomica”

Who is Lionel Messi? well, he is one of the best-known athletes in the history of football. Every football enthusiast knows him, but not just for his skills and achievements but also for his personality. As a matter of fact, almost every top football bet is on the team he is playing for.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Andrés Messi, also known as Leo Messi, was born in the birthplace of the Argentine flag, Rosario, Santa Fe, on June 24, 1987. Along with his siblings, Rodrigo Messi, Matías Messi, and Maria Sol Messi. Lionel is the third son of a steel factory manager, Jorge Messi, and his beloved wife, a worker at a magnet manufacturing workshop, Celia Maria Cuccittini. Messi’s father and mother both have Italian blood in them. However, his father was also a Spaniard. Regardless, these two countries have one thing in common: a love for the game of football.

Growing up, Messi fell in love with the game of football because both his family and relatives shared the same passion for it. As a kid in Santa Fe, he used to play with his brothers Matías and Rodrigo, along with their cousins Emanuel and Maximilliano Biancucchi, who later became professional football players in Europe.

How Messi’s career started

Behind the fame and triumph of Lionel Messi, one of the key aspects of his success was the love and support that his fans, friends, and family showed. The devotion of his mother and father towards his career is exceptional. His father showed his support by coaching young Lionel when he joined Abanderado Grandoli, a local football club, at the age of just four years old. But his biggest fan and supporter is none other than his grandmother, Celia Oliveira Cuccittini.

Lionel Messi’s football career started with his grandmother. It started when a local football club needed another player. Celia Oliveira told the coaches to put Leo on the team. At first, the coaches didn’t want anything to do with Leo because he was small compared to the other kids. But his grandmother is very persistent. Because of this, the coaches were forced to let Leo play. Luckily, young Messi impressed the coaches, and his grandmother said to them:

“Buy him football shoes, and next week I will bring him here for training”.

Before Leo’s Eleventh birthday, his grandmother died at the age of 68. The impact of Celia Oliveira’s death on Messi is great. Because of this, whenever Messi scores a goal, he will point and look at the sky as a sign of his respect and love for his greatest fan and supporter. This became his signature celebration, which all football fans love.

His rise to the top

The support of his family, especially his grandmother, goes a long way if you look at Lionel Messi now. Because of this, many doors were opened that gave Messi an opportunity to show his craft and what he could do in the game of football. He continued to work hard each year, slowly rising to the top. Because of his passion, he became one of the most famous football players to ever play the game, and his achievements are enough to put him on the list as one of the great players in the history of football. Below is a list of some of his great accomplishments throughout his football career.

• World Cup winner – Argentina, year 2022
• Copa América winner – Argentina, year 2021
• 3x Best FIFA men’s player – Year 2022, 2019, 2009
• 7x Winner Ballon d’Or – Year 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
• 3x UEFA Best player in Europe – Year 2015, 2011, 2009
• 4x Champions League winner – FC Barcelona year 2015, FC Barcelona year 2011, FC Barcelona year 2009, FC Barcelona year 2006
• 3x FIFA Club World Cup winner – FC Barcelona year 2015, FC Barcelona year 2011, FC Barcelona year 2009
• 6x Golden Boot winner – Year 2019 with 36 goals, year 2018 with 34 goals, year 2017 with 37 goals, year 2013 with 46 goals, year 2012 with 50 goals, year 2010 with 34 goals

The fruit of his passion, La Pulga Atomica

Because of what he achieved, Lionel Messi earned the Moniker “La Pulga Atomica”, meaning “The Atomic Flea”. Despite his height, he dominated the game with his unique play style and would often beat taller defenders that came his way. Previously, he proved that his moniker was there for a reason when he helped his team win the FIFA World Cup in 2022. For the second time, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball award, beating fellow greats Luka Modrić and Kylian Mbappé. However, Messi stated that there is a possibility that he will retire and not return for the next World Cup, which is scheduled for 2026.

Mission completed

Like every good movie, his career will end. It’s inevitable. We don’t know when or how, but one thing is for sure: Lionel Messi did not waste the love and support of all the people who were with him throughout his football journey. He worked hard for the achievements that he achieved.

Who knew that a small boy from Santa Fe would become one of the few greats to ever play the game of football? A small boy that a team won’t accept is now known all over the world. He embraced his greatest imperfection and used it as a weapon. His success will be forever known in the history of football.

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