There has been so much written about Lionel Messi over the years. Therefore, you might wonder whether there is still much to learn or if there are any minor things that may have been missed. We take a look back and celebrate “La Pulga’s” 35th birthday by recognizing the career he has had. But each person has unique “interesting facts,” and Messi is no exception. These are 3 facts about Lionel Messi that you should know.
Lionel Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona on a napkin
Most people use paper napkins, discard them, and then forget about them. However, Barcelona was obviously not discarding this paper napkin after usage. They had just signed 13-year-old Lionel Messi on December 14th, 2000.
Carles Rexach, a former Barcelona player and current Barcelona executive, made this quick decision while dining out with Josep Maria Minguella, a player agent who had brought some players to Barcelona, Joan Gaspart, the club’s president at the time, and the other guests. Rexach scrawled the contract on a paper napkin that a waitress had given him.
Lionel Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona on a napkin
Then Rexach, Minguella, and Gaggioli all put their signatures on the napkin. Despite purported offers of millions of dollars to acquire it, the napkin is still legally owned by Gaggioli and is housed in a safe at the Credit Andorra Bank.
Gaggioli ensure that they are not going to sell it. And he will only consider lending it to the Barcelona museum to display among the Ballon d’Ors won by Argentina. But the museum would not receive it until Messi retires or leaves the club.
The loan of the document will probably wait till Messi retires. But we hope won’t be anytime soon given that he departed the Catalan giants.
Ronaldinho provided an assist for Messi’s debut goal for Barcelona
Among the 3 facts about Lionel Messi, you might have heard of this one. The Brazilian genius, wearing the number 10 shirt at the time, was playing against Albacete. At that time, manager Frank Rijkaard introduced 17-year-old Lionel Messi in the 85th minute, with Barcelona leading 1-0.
Ronaldinho provided an assist for Messi’s debut goal for Barcelona
In the 90th minute, the Brazilian chipped the ball to Messi, who completed it for his first goal for Barcelona. Ronaldinho took Messi under his wing, almost like a big brother, pushing the youngster to be the best. And it appears Messi heeded the legend’s instruction. Messi took up the number 10 jersey when the Brazilian departed Barcelona in 2008.
Lionel Messi had the chance to play for the Spanish National Team
Messi was invited by the Spanish Football Federation to declare for the Spanish squad rather than the Argentine one. This was another choice that may have changed the course of his career.
3 facts about Lionel Messi – Lionel Messi had the opportunity to compete for the Spanish National Team
Messi turned down the opportunity in favor of continuing his dedication to his quest to join the Argentina national squad. He undoubtedly would have made a significant contribution to Spain’s legendary 2008–2012 squad.
But he went with Argentina, a team with which he had won the Copa America, and the Finalissima against Italy for the first time. Since the legendary Diego Maradona, he is unquestionably the finest player in the nation.
FIFA World Cup 2022
The trophy had escaped him for so long. But at age 35, on his fifth and last appearance in the men’s football championship, he at last won it.
Messi has rewritten the records books for club and country over the course of a brilliant career. And he carried on doing so while establishing himself as one of the finest players to ever lace up a pair of boots in Qatar.
