It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success

It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success

Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, is often referred to as one of the greatest players of all time. His incredible talent, skill, and dedication to the sport have earned him numerous accolades and records throughout his career. However, what many people may not realize is that Messi's success did not come overnight. In fact, it took him 17 years and 114 days to become the overnight success that he is today.

Messi's journey to success began at a young age when he first started playing football in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. From a young age, Messi showed immense talent and potential on the field, but it was his hard work and dedication that truly set him apart from his peers. He spent countless hours practicing and honing his skills, always striving to improve and become the best player he could be.

Despite his talent, Messi faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his career. He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, which threatened to derail his football dreams. However, Messi refused to let this setback define him and instead worked even harder to overcome it. He moved to Spain at the age of 13 to join FC Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, where he continued to develop his skills and prove himself as a top talent.

Over the years, Messi's hard work and dedication paid off as he began to make a name for himself on the world stage. He quickly rose through the ranks at Barcelona, becoming a key player for the first team and leading them to numerous victories and titles. Messi's incredible performances on the field earned him multiple Ballon d'Or awards, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

It was not until Messi was 17 years and 114 days old that he truly became an overnight success. On May 1, 2005, Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match against FC Porto. From that moment on, Messi's career skyrocketed, and he quickly became a household name in the world of football.