Lionel Messi
His family could not afford his growth-hormone treatment; Barcelona paid for it and signed him at 13.
Lionel Messi was born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. Lionel Messi's background is described as Argentine; Italian and Spanish descent. Growing up, the family was working class — steel-factory worker father who coached his boyhood club; part-time cleaner mother. His family could not afford his growth-hormone treatment; Barcelona paid for it and signed him at 13.
- Born
- 1987 · Rosario, Argentina
- Roots
- Argentine; Italian and Spanish descent
- Family
- Working class
- Steel-factory worker father who coached his boyhood club; part-time cleaner mother.
- Education
- Left school for La Masia, Barcelona's academy
- Started with
- A medical bill
- The ~$1,000-a-month hormone treatment his family couldn't afford was covered by Barcelona as part of his signing.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1997 · age 10Growth hormone deficiency diagnosed
Treatment costs roughly $1,000 a month; neither his family nor local clubs can sustain it.
- 2000 · age 13Barcelona signs him
The club agrees to pay for treatment; the first commitment is famously written on a napkin. The family emigrates to Spain.
- 2004 · age 17First-team debut
- 2009 · age 22First Ballon d'Or
The first of a record eight.
- 2021 · age 34Leaves Barcelona
The club cannot afford his contract under league salary rules; moves to PSG.
- 2022 · age 35World Cup champion
Captains Argentina in Qatar.
- 2023 · age 36Inter Miami
Signs a deal that includes revenue shares from Apple's league streaming and Adidas.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lionel Messi from?
Lionel Messi was born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. Their background is described as Argentine; Italian and Spanish descent.
When was Lionel Messi born?
Lionel Messi was born in 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.
What is Lionel Messi's background or ethnicity?
Lionel Messi's roots are described as Argentine; Italian and Spanish descent. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Lionel Messi go to school?
Lionel Messi's education: Left school for La Masia, Barcelona's academy.
What was Lionel Messi's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. Steel-factory worker father who coached his boyhood club; part-time cleaner mother.
How did Lionel Messi get started?
Lionel Messi started with a medical bill. The ~$1,000-a-month hormone treatment his family couldn't afford was covered by Barcelona as part of his signing.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.