Lionel Messi’s growth-hormone battle preceded a record eight Ballon d’Or wins

A childhood diagnosis put Messi’s football future in doubt

At about 10, Lionel Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The treatment reportedly cost around $900 a month—an expense his family struggled to meet. Newell’s Old Boys initially helped with the payments but later stopped, while River Plate was also said to have been unwilling to cover the cost.

Barcelona offered to pay for the treatment after Messi travelled to Spain for a trial in 2000, aged 13. On 14 December that year, sporting director Carles Rexach wrote an initial agreement on a napkin; a formal contract followed. Messi and his family relocated from Rosario, and he continued treatment while joining the club’s La Masia academy.

From Barcelona prospect to record-holder

Messi made his Barcelona first-team debut in October 2004, aged 17. He went on to win the Ballon d’Or eight times—in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023—more than any other player.

His international career also included setbacks. After losing the 2014 World Cup final and the Copa América finals in 2015 and 2016, he briefly announced his retirement from Argentina duty before returning. He later captained Argentina to the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup, and was part of the team that won the 2024 Copa América.

A saying that remains difficult to verify

The line “You can overcome something, if and only if you love something enough” is widely attributed to Messi, but the source account says it could not be traced to a dated interview or speech. It is therefore more accurately described as a saying associated with him than as a verified quotation from a specific occasion.

Other lines attributed to Messi express similar themes of dedication and sacrifice. His childhood treatment, move to Spain and years of development provide a compelling backdrop to the idea, while the quote’s precise provenance remains uncertain.