Lionel Messi

From Growth Hormone Deficiency to World Cup Champion

sports
Lionel Messi

Net Worth

$650M

Born

1987 (age 39)

Country

Argentina

Occupation

Professional Soccer Player

Gender

male

Generation

Millennial

Marital Status

married

Children

3

Single Parent Household

No

Education

Self-Taught

Industries

sports

Wealth Category

multi-millionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Overcame

  • • Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 10
  • • Left family in Argentina at 13 to move to Spain alone
  • • Lost four major finals with Argentina before winning
  • • Forced to leave Barcelona after 21 years due to financial regulations

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Born in Rosario, Argentina, he overcame a growth hormone deficiency diagnosis at age 10 that threatened his career before Barcelona offered to pay for his treatment. He spent 21 years at Barcelona, becoming their all-time leading scorer with 672 goals, before winning the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.

Career Timeline

1987

Born in Rosario, Argentina

1997 Age 10
Setback

Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency

2000 Age 13
Turning Point

Moved to Spain to join Barcelona's La Masia academy

2004 Age 17
Milestone

Made first-team debut for FC Barcelona

2005 Age 18
Achievement

Scored first senior goal; won FIFA World Youth Championship

2009 Age 22
Achievement

Won first Ballon d'Or and Champions League

2011 Age 24
Achievement

Won third consecutive Ballon d'Or and second Champions League

2014 Age 27
Setback

Reached World Cup final with Argentina, losing to Germany

2016 Age 29
Turning Point

Briefly retired from international soccer after Copa America loss, then returned

2017 Age 30
Milestone

Married childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo

2021 Age 34
Achievement

Won Copa America with Argentina; left Barcelona for PSG

2022 Age 35
Milestone

Won FIFA World Cup with Argentina, scoring twice in the final

2023 Age 36
Turning Point

Joined Inter Miami in Major League Soccer

2023 Age 36
Achievement

Won record eighth Ballon d'Or

Notable Quotes

"I start early, and I stay late, day after day, year after year; it took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success."

— Interview, 2012

"You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it."