Lionel Messi Defeated Growth Deficiency and Created Legacy, Expert Tips for Healthy Growth

Argentina's captain and star striker, Lionel Messi, holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires on Dec. 20, 2022, after winning the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar. Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images

Few would dispute that one of the most memorable sporting events in 2022 was the victory of Argentina’s soccer team at the Qatar World Cup, led by the Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi.

At 35 years of age, Messi has won seven Golden Ball awards, six European Golden Shoe awards, and six Best FIFA Men’s Player awards. He was the highest-paid athlete in 2022, according to Forbes. What many people may not know about Messi is that, as a child, he suffered from a growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Child With a Gift and a Disease

Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, in June 1987, the year after the late Argentine star Diego Maradona led Argentina to its second World Cup title. Messi began to play soccer at a very young age. He was small and flexible and exhibited extraordinary talent.