Lionel Messi

The ‘God of soccer’, the Argentinian captain, the winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year , not just once but twice, Lionel “Leo” Messi has brought about an explosion of excitement in a city that yearns for a taste of the best of world football. The reigning deity of the world stage– Lionel Messi– touched down on Kolkata early Wednesday morning, creating ripples of joy in the city.The news of Messi’s arrival saw celebrations reaching a crescendo, ending the nation and the football-crazy city’s endless wait for the superstar. Hundreds of fans donning Argentina colours thronged the Netaji Subhas international airport, waiting just to catch a glimpse of Messi. The Argentine star may well have confused the city with his hometown of Santa Fe, as people lined the approach way attired in Albiceleste.[caption id="attachment_74590" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Picture Courtesy: Getty Images"][/caption]Lionel Messi is in Kolkata for a match to be played between Argentina and Venezuela on Friday.Born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario, Sante Fe Province (Argentina). Messi began playing for his local team coached by his father, Grandoli, at the tender age of 5 as football came very naturally to him.In 1995, at just 8 years of age, Messi moved up the career ladder fast and joined Newell's Old Boys. However, it was not all a fairytale for Lionel and at 11 years of age, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which would cast doubts over his entire career in the game. River Plate, Argentina's then most famous club, were interested in signing him on, but could not afford the $800 per month treatment Lionel would require to treat his problem. But Messi was already on the radar of FC Barcelona, who intervened and offered him the treatment if he was prepared to move overseas to Spain. Messi's family agreed.Often referred to as an Argentinian-Spanish player, this crossover was brought into sharp focus when in 2004; Lionel was offered the chance to play for the Spanish national U20 team. He declined the offer given his Argentinian heritage, and was given the opportunity to play for Argentina's U20 team against Paraguay in June 2004. Messi was hailed as Diego Maradona's true successor, even by the latter himself.The awe that the magician of football commands in millions of fans worldwide seems to pervade his own team too. Alejandro Sabella, the man Argentine football is looking to for redemption, says that he will bank on Messi's skills to realise the task he is entrusted with. Source: www.lionelmessi.com