Saturday, CF Montreal faces Inter Miami at Saputo stadium. The lucky 19,000 who were able to get tickets could see Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players in the world. We present to you the one we nickname “La Pulga” (The Flea!)
Lionel Messi was born in Argentina in 1987. He started playing soccer at age 5. Everyone already notices that he is extremely talented. But Messi has health problems. He stopped growing at age 11 due to a hormonal illness. FC Barcelona will help him by paying for his treatments. After two years of treatment, Messi joined the Barça youth team.
A miracle in Barcelona
At 16, Lionel Messi played his first professional match with Barça. Everyone falls under the spell of the young prodigy. Over the years, he became an indispensable player. In 21 seasons at FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi won numerous trophies, such as the Champions League, La Liga and the Club World Cup. There is clearly a “before” and an “after” Messi!
Messi in a few figures
Messi has more than 800 goals and more than 300 assists. And it continues ! He has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, a trophy awarded to the best soccer player of the year. A record! He is the most successful player in the history of soccer, with 44 titles. And, of course, he won a World Cup… the only trophy missing from his collection, in 2022!
A short stint at PSG
In 2021, Lionel Messi signs a contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The French club currently has one of the best attacks in Europe with Messi, Neymar and Mbappé. The club hopes to win the prestigious Champions League, but fails to do so. Many fans consider Messi’s time at PSG a failure.
In MLS… and in Montreal!
Since July 2023, Messi has played for Inter Miami, in MLS (Major Soccer League). His pink jersey, adorned with the number 10, is all the rage! We can also bet that there will be a lot of pink in the stands of Saputo stadium on Saturday, during the Miami-Montreal clash! It is not yet known whether Messi will make the team. One thing is certain: everyone hopes to see “La Pulga” in action!
Emeric Épaud, The Aces of Info
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