Born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi came from very humble beginings. His father Jorge was a steel worker and his mother Celia a part-time cleaner.Reuters
Born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi came from very humble beginings. His father Jorge was a steel worker and his mother Celia a part-time cleaner.ReutersMessi realised his calling to the beautiful game at the age of five. He started playing football for Grandoli, a local club in Argentina coached by his father.tumblrAt just over 5' 6", Messi is one of the shortest football players in the gameReutersOne of Messi's nicknames is the 'atomic flea' (la pulga atómica) because he is so quickReutersThe Barcelona star became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for Barça - in 2005 in a match against Albacete. He was just 17 years, 10 months and seven days oldtumblrDoctors diagnosed him with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11. His parents could not afford his treatment, which was $900 a month.ReutersMessi has dual-citizenship after becoming a Spanish citizen in September 2005ReutersMessi is heavily involved in charity work through his Leo Messi Foundation, which supports people suffering from Fragile X syndrome, a disease related to autism. He is also a a goodwill ambassador for Unicef.ReutersHis first contract with Barcelona was scribbled down on a paper napkin because there was writing paper available. Barcelona FC sporting director Carles Rexach was so impressed with the budding young footballer that he wanted to make a contract with him there and then.ReutersMessi has scored 186 goals in his last 201 Barcelona appearances, including Champions League wins in 2009 and 2011 over Manchester UnitedReuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi has wowed the football world again with an historic five goals in a single Champions League match.
The 24-year-old proved why he has been called the greatest player in the history of football with his impressive performance against Bayer Leverkusen.
Messi started his magnificent run 25 minutes into the game after a pass from Xavi Hernandez and by half time had notched up a hat trick.
In the second half he went into overdrive, securing Barcelona's place in the quarter-final.
He is within seven goals of the 235 scored by the club's all-time record scorer Cesar Rodriguez.
International Business times UK rounds up 10 interesting facts about the beautiful game's wonderkid.
