Lionel Andres "Leo" Messi Cuccittini is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for a spanish club called Barcelona and is the captain of the Argentina national football team, he was born on the 24th of June 1987.By the age of 21, Messi had received a ballon d'or and the FIFA world player of the year nominations.
| Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario to parents Jorge Horácio Messi, a factory steel worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner.His paternal great-grandfather, Angelo Messi originates from the Italian city of Ancona and emigrated to Argentina in 1883. He has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and a sister, María Sol. At the age of five, Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge. In 1995, Messi switched to Newell's old boys who were based in his home city Rosario.He became part of a local youth team that lost only one match in the next four years and became locally known as "The Machine of '87", the year of their birth. |
Messi stated that the child, a son, would be born in October, and that he and his girlfriend would name him Thiago.
However, the birth came later than expected. On 2 November 2012, Messi became a father for the first time following the birth of his son Thiago. FC Barcelona's official website briefly stated "Leo Messi is a father". Besides, the Argentine striker added on his Facebook page: "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!" He also had the boy's name and handprints tattooed on his left calf.
However, the birth came later than expected. On 2 November 2012, Messi became a father for the first time following the birth of his son Thiago. FC Barcelona's official website briefly stated "Leo Messi is a father". Besides, the Argentine striker added on his Facebook page: "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!" He also had the boy's name and handprints tattooed on his left calf.
In December 2012, Barcelona announced that Messi would sign a five-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2018 and raising his base salary to €16 million ($21.2 million) net, which will make him the highest on-field earner in football. As the tax bracket for this level of income in Spain is 56%, it means that Barcelona will have to pay Messi's income tax of a little over €20 million ($26.5 million). His formal buy-out clause remains at €250 million.
Money is not a motivating factor. Money doesn't thrill me or make me play better because there are benefits to being wealthy. I'm just happy with a ball at my feet. My motivation comes from playing the game I love. If I wasn't paid to be a professional footballer I would willingly play for nothing. -Lionel Messi Leo’s numbers are from another galaxy, in terms of goals, assists, personal trophies and collective trophies. He’s evolved towards better prepared physical, mental and technical players. In my day we were slower and had more space. Now it’s very complicated to find space. Every day the player is more prepared, faces more difficulty and the numbers receive more notoriety. -Luis Enrique (Barcelona Coach) In 2007, Messi established the Leo Messi Foundation, a charity supporting access to education and health care for vulnerable children. In response to Messi's own childhood medical difficulties, the Leo Messi Foundation has offered Argentine children diagnosed with illnesses treatment in Spain and funds covering the transport, hospital and recuperation costs.Messi's foundation is supported by his own fundraising activity with additional assistance from Herbalife. On 11 March 2010, Messi was announced as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Messi's UNICEF ambassador activities are aimed at supporting children’s rights. Messi is supported in this by Barcelona, who also have a strong association with UNICEF. Source: |