Lionel Messi is a legendary footballer who has achieved tremendous success in his career. He is commonly considered one of the most exceptional footballers to have ever played the game. While most people know a lot about Messi's professional life, some surprising facts about his personal life are not well known. In this article, we will explore 10 surprising facts about Lionel Messi's life that you never knew.

Outline
Introduction
Early Life of Lionel Messi
Messi's Childhood and Family
Messi's Growth Hormone Deficiency
Messi's Football Career
Messi's Early Football Career
Messi's Journey with FC Barcelona
Messi's International Football Career
Personal Life of Lionel Messi
Messi's Wife and Children
Messi's Love for Tattoos
Messi's Charity Work
Messi's Lifestyle and Hobbies
Messi's Passion for Music
Messi's Love for Cars
Messi's Diet and Fitness Regime
Conclusion
FAQs
1. Introduction
Lionel Messi is a football superstar who has won numerous awards and accolades in his career. His skills on the field have earned him a massive following around the world. However, there are some lesser-known facts about Messi's personal life that even his die-hard fans may not know. In this article, we will take a closer look at 10 surprising facts about Lionel Messi's life that you never knew.

2. Early Life of Lionel Messi
2.1 Messi's Childhood and Family
Lionel Messi entered this world on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, as the third child of Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, among their four children. Messi grew up in a tight-knit family and was particularly close to his grandmother, who played a significant role in his life.




2.2 Messi's Growth Hormone Deficiency
At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which meant that he was much shorter than other children his age. Messi's parents could not afford the treatment that he needed, which cost around $900 a month. However, Messi's talent on the football field caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who offered to pay for his medical treatment and bring him to Spain to join their academy.

3. Messi's Football Career
3.1 Messi's Early Football Career
He started playing for a local club in Rosario called Grandoli. By the age of eight, Messi had moved on to play for Newell's Old Boys, one of the biggest clubs in Argentina. Messi's skills on the field quickly caught the attention of football scouts.

3.2 Messi's Journey with FC Barcelona
In 2001, Messi moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona's youth academy and rapidly ascended the ranks, and at the young age of 17, he made his debut for the first team in 2004. Messi'sFrom the tender age of six, Lionel Messi embarked on his football journey, which would ultimately lead him to become one of the greatest footballers of all time talent on the field was immediately evident, and he soon became a key player for FC Barcelona. Over the years, Messi has won numerous titles and awards with FC Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies.

3.3 Messi's International Football Career
Messi has also had a successful international football career, playing for the Argentina national team. He has won numerous titles with the national team, including a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics and the Copa America in 2021.

4. Personal Life of Lionel Messi
4.1 Messi's Wife and Children
In 2017, Lionel Messi tied the knot with his long-time partner and childhood friend, Antonella Roccuzzo, in a lavish ceremony in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina. The couple has known each other since they were five years old, and they have three children together. The eldest son of Lionel Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo, Thiago, was born in the year 2012 and was later joined by his younger brothers, Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018.

4.2 Messi's Love for Tattoos
Messi has a passion for tattoos and has a number of them on his body. Each of his tattoos has a special meaning for him, such as the ones dedicated to his family members or his favorite Bible verses. Messi's tattoos also reflect his personal and professional journey.

4.3 Messi's Charity Work
Messi is involved in several charitable causes and has his foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation. The foundation aims to provide support to children and adolescents in need, particularly in the areas of education, health, and sports. Messi's philanthropic efforts have earned him recognition and admiration from around the world.

5. Messi's Lifestyle and Hobbies
5.1 Messi's Passion for Music
Apart from football, Messi has a passion for music and enjoys playing the guitar. He has even performed on stage with his friend and fellow Argentine musician, Fito Páez. Messi has also been known to sing and dance, showing his versatility beyond the football field.

5.2 Messi's Love for Cars
Messi is also a car enthusiast and has an impressive collection of cars, including a Ferrari F430 Spider, a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, and a Pagani Zonda Tricolore. Messi's love for cars reflects his appreciation for luxury and high-quality craftsmanship.

5.3 Messi's Diet and Fitness Regime
Messi follows a strict diet and fitness regime to maintain his peak performance on the football field. He avoids sugary and processed foods and focuses on eating lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Messi also works out regularly and does a combination of cardio, strength training, and agility drills.

6. Conclusion
Lionel Messi is not just a football legend but also a fascinating personality with a unique personal and professional journey. From his humble beginnings in Argentina to his status as a global icon, Messi has achieved tremendous success and continues to inspire millions of people around the world. This article has explored some surprising facts about Messi's life that you may not have known, shedding light on his personal life, hobbies, and philanthropic efforts.

7. FAQs
What is Lionel Messi's net worth?
How many goals has Lionel Messi scored throughout his entire professional football career?"
What is Lionel Messi's height?
What is the name of Lionel Messi's wife?