Lionel Messi Height Shows Big Things Come in Small Packages

Lionel Messi is one of the shortest players on the football field. However, if there is one thing that the Argentinian soccer star has proven, it is that height does not matter.

Despite how short he is, Messi is still considered the best player in soccer. According to Sporting News, the 7-time Ballon D'or winner and reigning World Cup champion stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, which is reportedly less than the average height of a professional soccer player now.

However, Messi is undoubtedly far from average, as he has been known for outplaying soccer stars taller, stronger, and faster than him. It is reflected in his numerous awards and championships that would make opponents green with envy.

Lionel Messi Almost Did Not Become a Professional Soccer Player Because of His Height

Despite his name recognition and superstar status, not to mention all of the trophies he has back at home in Rosario, Argentina, did you know that Lionel Messi almost did not make the cut to play professional soccer in Barcelona because he was too short?

Messi was reportedly too small when he started training with FB Barcelona's youth team. While many considered him a prodigy, his height was of particular concern as the young Messi's height would have meant opponents would take advantage of the size difference.

According to Bleacher Report, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone disorder, or GHD, responsible for being shorter than average. His family reportedly could not afford his treatments.

At first, his family tried approaching Argentinian giants River Plate and his original team, Newell's Old Boys. However, both local teams passed on him even though they saw how much potential the young boy had at that time.

That led to his family seeking help from one of the biggest clubs in the world, FC Barcelona, which agreed to pay for the young Messi's treatment, leading to him growing faster at his age but still shorter than average.

But that did not deter him from climbing the FC Barcelona's junior ranks as he soon became a good prospect.

Soon, the senior team comes calling, and the rest is history. If Messi had not gotten the treatment, doctors feared he would not have reached 5 feet tall.

Lionel Messi's GHD Treatment Used a Banned Substance

Lionel Messi's height problem was solved, and his path to stardom started after FC Barcelona agreed to fund the youngster's treatment while he was still a teen.

That one huge problem could have prevented Messi from playing soccer while still with the FC Barcelona Youth Club.

According to El Futbolero, the treatment required Messi to take a growth hormone. However, like many other sports, this growth hormone was also banned in soccer.

Messi and FC Barcelona got around this as there was the "Therapeutic Use Exemption" found in Section 46 of FIFA's anti-doping rules. It allowed the use of growth hormones if they were medically necessary.

However, it should be noted that the World Anti-Doping Agency did not start testing until 2004, with Messi's treatment ending in 2002.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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