Lionel Messi: The little boy who became a superstar

This children’s article, Lionel Messi: The little boy who became a superstar, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, build useful vocabulary, and learn about one of the greatest football players in history. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.

Main image attributed to Tasnim News Agency

From Rosario to Barcelona

Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in the city of Rosario, Argentina. Many football fans believe he is the greatest player of all time because of his amazing skill, creativity and goal-scoring ability.

As a young boy, Messi loved football and played for a local club called Grandoli before joining the youth team at Newell’s Old Boys. Even when he was very young, coaches could see he had incredible talent.

However, Messi had a medical condition that slowed his growth. He was much smaller than many other children his age and needed expensive growth hormone treatment. His family found it difficult to pay for the medicine.

When Messi was just 13 years old, he travelled to Spain for a trial with Barcelona. The club was so impressed by his ability that they offered him a place in their famous youth academy, La Masia, and agreed to pay for his medical treatment. Moving to another country at such a young age was a big challenge, but it changed his life forever.

Becoming a football superstar

Messi worked hard in Barcelona’s youth teams before making his first-team debut in 2004 when he was only 17 years old.

Over the next 17 years, he became Barcelona’s greatest-ever player. He won ten Spanish league titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, and scored more goals than any other player in the club’s history.

Fans loved watching Messi because he could dribble past defenders with ease, score incredible goals and create many chances for his teammates. It didn’t take long before he was considered one of the best footballers in the world.

Messi and Ronaldo

For many years, football fans debated who was the better player: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. The two superstars dominated world football and won almost every major individual award.

Messi has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, which are given each year to the world’s best footballer. Ronaldo has won the award five times, making the rivalry between the two players one of the greatest in sporting history.

In 2021, Messi left Barcelona after the club’s financial problems meant they could no longer keep him. He joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France before moving to Inter Miami in the United States in 2023, helping to make football even more popular there.

Winning the World Cup

Although Messi had already won almost every major club trophy, many people felt one thing was missing from his career: the FIFA World Cup.

In 2022, he finally achieved his dream by captaining Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina defeated France in one of the most exciting finals ever played, and Messi was named the tournament’s best player.

Today, Messi continues to inspire millions of children around the world. His story shows that hard work, determination and believing in yourself can help you achieve amazing things, even when life gives you difficult challenges.

Image attributed to L.F.Salas

Article vocabulary list

• Academy: A place where young players are trained to improve their skills.
• Growth hormone: A medicine that helps some children grow normally.
• Debut: The first time someone plays for a team or performs in public.
• Dribble: To move the ball while running and keeping control of it.
• Captain: The leader of a sports team.
• Rivalry: A long competition between people or teams.
• Tournament: A competition involving many teams or players.
• Determination: Continuing to work hard even when something is difficult.

Comprehension questions

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