Early Life Lionel Messi

Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina to parentsJorge Horacio Messi and Celia Maria Cuccittini. His paternal family originates from Ancona, Italy from his ancestor, Angelo Messi, Emigrated t Argentina in 1883. He has two older brother, Rodrigo and Matias, and sister Maria Sol. At the age of five Messi started playing soccer for Grandoli, a local club who coached by his father. In 1995 Messi switched to Newell Old Boy's who were based in his home city Rosario. He became a part of a local powerhouse that lost only one match in the next four years and became localy known "The Machine of the 87" from the year of their birth.

At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Local powerhouse River Plateshowed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay the treatment for his condition, which cost $900 a month. The Sporting Director of Barcelona, Carles Rexach had been made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives Lleida, and Mesii and his father were able to arrange  a trial with the team. Rexach with no other paper at hand, offered Messi a contract written on a paper napkin. Barcelona offered to pay Messi's medical bill if he was wiling to move to Spain. Since that time Messi and his father move to BArcelona where Messi enrolled in the club youth academy, La Masia.

sources : wikipedia