Dark Secrets About Lionel Messi

Evading Taxes

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We know him today as arguably the greatest footballer of all time but did you know that this all time footballing legend comes with a dark truth? The mighty Lionel Messi was accused and later found guilty of tax evasion in 2014. Due to this he was not only ridiculed by fans but also find around $255,000 for his heinous behaviour. Truly a surprising fact.

Fighting His Manager

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Would you imagine one of the greatest footballers and one of the greatest managers in footballing history clashing heads? That was the case when Pep Guardiola was in the middle of a team talk when Messi asked for a can of coke. This simple request quickly erupted into a serious issue as Guardiola seen this act as a sign of disrespect which was further calmed by Messi drinking the beverage in front of him and the entire team!

Rejecting Barcelona

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There is no question that the footballing magician with with a wand of a left foot is the greatest Barcelona player of all time and one of their most beloved footballers to ever play for the Catalonian side. The seven time Ballon D'or winner has been at the top of the news reports lately as he left PSG. It was heavily rumoured that Messi would re-sign for Barcelona however he declined this option to join MLS side Inter Miami

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Foreign Player

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Do you think the legend that is Lionel Messi would like you to know that in his first year at Barcelona he did not play a single game! Due to Messi being from a foreign country, Argentina, Leo was not allowed to participate in official youth team matches when he first joined Barcelona and had to wait over a year to make his official debut for the Catalonian side.

He Used To Feel Homesick

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It is hard to picture the ever present strong, resilient Lionel Messi feeling down in the dumps and struggling through each day, but at one time he did. A secret Messi keeps close to his chest is the pain that he felt when his mother unfortunately had to leave her son in Spain and head back to Argentina leaving him homesick.

He's Quite Shy

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Something the great Lionel Messi may not want us to know is that in his personal life he struggled with anxiety and shyness. A young Lionel, upon first meeting his future wife, was too shy to speak to her when they first met. To counter this Leo wrote letters to her throughout their childhood and even going as far to call her his future girlfriend in one letter.

Transfer Issues

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Standing as one of Barcelona's most prized players Leo Messi has loved and cherished every minute of his career at Barcelona and at one point it was unfathomable that he would leave. But I bet Leo wouldn't want you to know that he almost signed for Arsenal alongside his future Barcelona team mate Cesc Fabregas when they were both youth players.

National Loyalties

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It's hard to think that arguably the greatest Argentinian footballer to walk the earth but would he want you to know that the love and loyalty for Argentina was put to the test when the mighty Royal Spanish Football Federation offered the footballing wonder the chance to play for the Spanish Football Team. However, Leo remained loyal to his boyhood country Argentina and the rest is history.

The Capello Incident

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In his illustrious career, Lionel Messi's loyalty to Barcelona has very rarely been questioned. However, once upon a time Inter Milan side, managed by Fabio Capello, looked to strengthen their squad by signing the Argentinian who had a staggering $150 million release course in his contract. This offer was mind blowing at the time and allow unsuccessful it did tempt the footballing legend.

Champions League Heartbreak

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One of the most devastating and emotional moments of Lionel Messi's career was when he was tragically unable to play in the 2006 Champions League Final in Paris against English giants Arsenal due to injury. Despite his hard work to help Barcelona to reach the final and their subsequent victory over Arsenal Messi may not want you to know he did not celebrate the win as he was not able to take part.

Family Tax

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Another dark secret of the greatest footballer of all time is that not only did the disgrace of tax evasion fall upon him but also his highly respected agent. Most unfortunately for young Leo this agent just so happens to be his father. Due to participating in many different tax violations, his loving father was sentenced to pay around $180,000 to the Spanish courts.

He Had A Growth Hormone Problem

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A man that is know all around the world due to his silky feet, mesmerising movement and fantastic vision Messi is truly one of the greatest footballers of all time. However, it has not always been easy going for our Argentinian hero. Leo was born with a growth hormone deficiency which started to stop his growth that the very young age of 11.

It Was Expensive To Fix

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How did one of the world's most iconic sports star rise to fame despite the hurdles that the Argentinian had to get over at such a young age. The early parts of Lionel's life is quite heartbreaking as his parents could not afford his treatment of around $900 per month as unfortunately for the Messi family, his father's medical insurance only covered two years of treatment.

He's From Buenos Aires

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Have you ever wondered the dark secret of how a poor little boy from Argentina with a growth disorder came to be one of the greatest footballers to grace the legendary field of the Camp Nou. Young Messi was scouted by many clubs at a very young age including the respected Argentinian side Buenos Aires. However, young Leo did not sign for the club as they would not pay for his medical treatment.

Barcelona Napkins?

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The evergreen starlet of football that is Lionel Messi did eventually find his way to the Catalonian side in September 2000 when Messi's family arranged a trail for talented young footballer. He was an instant hit, impressing the first team director who wanted to sign him immediately. But would Messi want you to know that this offer was made on nothing other than a paper napkin.

Injury issues

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It is unquestionable that Messi has encountered great success in his career but this did not come without its downfalls and more importantly injuries. A secret he kept to himself was that due to ongoing injuries Leo had to employ a new training schedule, nutritional classes as well as changes to his lifestyle. Barcelona ever assigned him his own physiotherapist!

Replicating Controversial Goals

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Lionel Messi has scored some truly breathtaking goals throughout his career, but did you know that some of these goals included a replica of Diego Maradona's world famous 1986 World Cup goal "the hand of god".  Messi managed the same controversial goal as his fellow Argentinian legend against Espanyol in a La Lisa fixture.

He Makes Bank

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Without a doubt one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game playing for one of the greatest teams of all time Lionel Messi surely must get the paycheck to match? You may be shocked to know the truth behind Messi's secret wage. When Messi signed his new contract at Barcelona in 2014 he became the highest paid sports star in the world with a wage of $36 million before tax.

World Cup Heartbreak

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The illustrious career of Lionel Messi was culminated this summer with his outstanding display in the 2022 World Cup leading Argentina to their third victory in the tournament. But he would not want you to remember the heartbreak his team felt in 2014 when a late Mario Gotze goal took the World Cup away from the footballing maestro.

Penalty Failure

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Messi has had a very proud and successful international career winning some great individual and team accolades. But what Messi does not want you to remember is his performance against Chile in the 2016 Copa America Final when Argentinas captain and most famous player stepped up to take a crucial penalty and tragically missed resulting in Argentina losing the final and retiring from international football

Family

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Lionel Messi has lived his life very much in the spotlight due to his unrivalled success throughout his incredible career. However, there is little to know about his personal life. Lionel Messi has been in a relationship with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo for over 20 years and has known her since he was five years old. The couple have three sons together.

Barcelona worries

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Messi had a very long successful period with Barcelona stretching to over a staggering 18 years! Although, this could have all been just a pipe dream for the young Argentinian. He would not like you to know that upon his first trials with Barcelona in 2000 the board of directors was quite hesitant to sign the young man due to him not being European.

International debut

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The success of Lionel Messi throughout his international career cannot be questioned winning gold at the 2008 Olympics, Copa America 2021, and most impressively the World Cup in 2022. However, it may surprise you to find out that the country's greatest players debut only lasted a mind blowing 47 seconds after being sent off after coming on as a substitute.

Intimidating Team Mates

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We know Messi as the loving, kind, enthusiastic father and loyal footballer but is this all a rouse? One of Messi's darkest secret is that he has been seen as very intimidating and angry figure to his former teammates. After a poor game it has been reported that Messi would often isolate a weaker member of the team and berate them for the teams performance.

Inter Miami

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Currently one of the greatest footballers of all time and highly regarded by all within the footballing community Lionel Messi found himself looking for a brand new club this summer. The Argentinian called it quits on a 2 year spell in Paris. Would you believe that Messi turned down a deal from his beloved Barcelona and a renewed offer from PSG to join bottom of the MLS side Inter Miami.

His Wealth Will Increase In America

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The Argentinian footballing icon has always been at the top of the talk of the highest paid sports stars list but Lionel may not want you to know the wage that has lured him to the MLS. It was published recently that by signing for David Beckham's Inter Miami the highly decorated footballer will receive between $125 and $150 million through his stay in Miami.

Gaining Stakes

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Lionel Messi has been widely discussed in the media recently for his surprising move to struggling MLS side Inter Miami. The details surrounding the deal have been widely speculated and one that Messi may not want discussed. It is rumoured that the footballing legend will gain shares in the tech giants Apple and highly rated sports outlet Adidas.

Times Up

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Lionel Messi is one of the most talented, respected and best of successful footballers of all time. Messi has won an unbelievable 43 trophies during his career! But with each year passing by it is now questioned, along with a move to the MLS, if the seven time Ballon D'or winner has past his best and is retreating to the MLS to see out the rest of his career at a lower level.

Imprisonment

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Now I know what you are thinking, how could one of the most famous footballers on the planet possibly have a secret that he did not want people to know? Well it will surprise you to find out that this incredibly talented footballer was sentenced to 21 months in prison due to tax evasion. A court in Spain made this ruling during one of the Argentinians most successful periods.

Losing A Father

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A man who is often referred to as a saint or a "messiah" as he is often referred to as by his staggeringly large fanbase but this saint has some very devilish secrets. Due to a blatant disregard for the tax regulations in Spain Messi's father, Jorge Messi, was sentenced to fifteen months in prison with a final ruling of tax evasion.