How Lionel Messi's move to FC Barcelona at age 13 changed the trajectory of his football career.

Discover how Lionel Messi's move to Barcelona as a child helped him become one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Messi Barcelona move, Messi La Masia, Messi Barcelona academy, Messi early career, Messi FC Barcelona

Introduction: At just 13 years old, Lionel Messi moved halfway across the world to pursue his football dream at FC Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. This bold move was driven by Messi's need for growth hormone treatment, which Barcelona offered to cover in exchange for his talent. This article explores the challenges and opportunities that came with Messi’s move to Spain, and how it was a pivotal moment in his career.

1. How old was Lionel Messi when he moved to Barcelona?

Lionel Messi was 13 years old when he moved to Barcelona in 2000 to join FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia.

2. Why did Messi join Barcelona’s youth academy?

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy because FC Barcelona recognized his immense talent when he was playing in Argentina for Newell’s Old Boys. They scouted him during a trial in Spain and offered him a spot at La Masia, their prestigious academy. The move was also motivated by Barcelona’s willingness to pay for Messi's expensive growth hormone treatment, which his family could not afford. This support was a key factor in Messi’s decision to join the club.

3. What was Messi’s experience at La Masia like?

Messi’s experience at La Masia was both rewarding and challenging. On the one hand, it provided him with world-class training and allowed him to develop his skills in a competitive, structured environment. He was surrounded by talented young players and received top coaching.

However, the transition was difficult at first. Messi faced homesickness, missing his family and friends back in Rosario. Despite these challenges, Messi’s dedication and talent shone through. His technical abilities and playing style quickly impressed his coaches, and he advanced through the youth ranks rapidly.

4. How did Barcelona help Messi with his growth hormone treatment?

When Messi joined FC Barcelona, the club agreed to cover the costs of his growth hormone treatment. At the time, Messi required regular injections of growth hormone, which were costly. Barcelona took on this responsibility as part of his contract, ensuring that Messi received the medical care he needed to continue his development both on and off the field.

5. What challenges did Messi face after moving to Spain?

Messi faced several challenges after moving to Spain:

• Homesickness: As a 13-year-old in a foreign country, Messi missed his family, friends, and the life he knew in Rosario. While his father initially moved with him, the separation from his mother and siblings was tough.

• Adapting to a new culture: Messi had to adjust to a new language (Catalan and Spanish) and cultural environment, which was vastly different from his life in Argentina.

• Injuries and physical development: Messi was physically smaller than many of his peers due to his growth hormone deficiency, and he had to work hard to keep up with the physical demands of elite-level football while receiving medical treatment.

• Pressure to succeed: As a highly touted talent from Argentina, Messi faced the pressure of meeting the expectations of FC Barcelona and proving that he was worth the investment they made in him.