Kevin-Prince Boateng revealed an interesting detail about Lionel Messi during his time at Barcelona. Lionel has never been seen at the gym.
“I’ve never seen Messi in the gym. He gets a massage and then plays basketball. 30 seconds before entering the field, he just gets up and that’s it, goal, goal, goal. The young players who looked at him, they didn’t train and got injured,” Kevin-Prince Boateng shared in a conversation with Rio Ferdinand.
This is not the only strange fact that not all fans know about. We’ve collected a few more for you!
As a child, Lionel received the nickname “flea”
The footballer’s height is — 170 centimeters. Due to his short stature, he received his famous nickname “flea” As a child, Lionel was diagnosed with a disease associated with the pituitary gland: as a teenager, he was far behind his peers in height and weight.
His family did not have money for treatment at that time. When Messi was accepted into the “Barcelona”, the club agreed to pay for his expensive treatment and rehabilitation.
When scoring a goal, Messi raises both hands up, pointing his fingers to the sky.
Lionel dedicates this gesture to his beloved grandmother, who died when he reached the age of 9. Grandmother was an important and dear person in the life of the future football player. Messi believes that she is watching over him from heaven and dedicates his goals to her.
Lionel’s very first contract was signed on a paper napkin
Barça sporting director Carles Rexach wanted to sign a contract with Messi as soon as possible, without wasting a minute, but the usual paper was not at hand.
On July 1, 2021, Lionel Messi ceased to be a Barcelona player for the first time in his professional career:
“I gave everything to this club. I wish I could have said goodbye under different circumstances. “I never imagined my last day at Barcelona,” Messi said at his farewell press conference, interrupted several times by tears choking him.