Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi with children of Herbalife (http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/upload/images/noticias/443_destacada_th.jpg (Leo Messi Foundation))

          Lionel Messi changed his life without as much support from family or the friends as he could have had.  It changed his life and made him into the inspirational hero that he is today.  He was that little boy who played soccer every day in the street; he became one of the most inspiring soccer players in the whole world.  Lionel Messi was born June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina and started playing soccer ever since he could walk.  He was inflicted with a growth hormone deficiency  when he was about ten and it stunted his growth and made it so that he was not growing.  This was a major problem because he was at an age where everything was growing.  They later found out that the disease had caused death to some children.  His family did not have a lot of money and they could hardly pay for the treatment for his disease.  Lionel Messi was adopted so to speak by a professional soccer team that agreed to pay for his treatment if he played for him.  His hard work and commitment to soccer made it possible for him to survive.  Since he was so good, he realized that he had to make an impact on the world.  Well, he did.  He opened charities and playgrounds that supported children with mental and physical diseases.  Messi showed incredible dedication to the life of his and others' mainly through being selfless, flexible, and motivated.  Lionel Messi is only known for how many goals he has scored but I know him as the soccer player that saved his own life while saving thousands of children's lives through his selflessness, flexibility to situations, and motivation to do better.

          Lionel Messi is selfless in the ways he helps other people achieve greater things and the way he does his job, play soccer.  He has been an inspiration to all soccer players.  Jack Rollin stated, "In the last 5 years, Lionel Messi has had ninety-six assists and I know that he has changed at least a thousand lives"  (Rollin, Jack).  He has given the goals to teammates and while doing that on the field, off the field he has given his life to children instead of for himself.  He has made it possible for kids to manage life even with tribulations that might come their way.  Lionel Messi helped a lot of people and continues to help through multiple charitable organizations, "He founded the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007, which helps children in at-risk situations"  (Lionel Messi).    Now that he has an opportunity to show the world something, he shows what children really need in their lives even with or without a type of disability.  He inspired young children and helped them become something that no one or even they thought could really happen.

          Even when Lionel Messi was faced with decisions that could change his life for the better or the worse, he was flexible in deciding which of the important choices he was going to make.  The Argentinean was unsure of what he was supposed to do with his life and when he started playing for the Spain National Team, his decision was quickly altered to playing with his home team.  Jack Rollin stated in an article, "Messi's ties with his homeland remained strong."  (Rollin, Jack)  Many people were unsure with the decision that he had made but it soon came evident as the Argentine soccer team increased in skill and involvement with their country's problems.  Just by coming back to play with his home team, he set an example to others to step up for their country and find things that could increase the wellness of their country.  Lionel Messi was honored for what he had done as it articulates on the Lionel Messi website, Strong emotions were not confined to the field, since Audemars Piguet took the opportunity of this visit from its icon, Leo Messi, to commit itself even more strongly to the Foundation bearing his name, "Audemars Piguet is the man that Lionel Messi looked up to and made him lead by example to become an example.  He was willing to go out of his way to help those children."  (Management, Messi)  Lionel Messi saw that Audemars Piguet had heart for children and he admired that and being the competitive person that he his; he strived to do better and make a difference in more kids lives.  He was different than other people because everything he did was different than what somebody else thought and he did what he knew what was best for everyone.

          Lionel Messi went through hardships that caused his life to be filled with sadness.  Luckily, he was motivated by himself and courage urged from his family.  Therefore, he was motivated to do the unthinkable.  One event that inspired him to do better was in his career, which was, "...finishing second to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in the voting for the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year" (Jack, Rollin) Christiano Ronaldo made Lionel Messi depressed because he thought that he had deserved it the whole time.  This event has made the two soccer stars rivals ever since but Lionel Messi was motivated by this and wanted to do better and he did with incredible persistence and patience.  Lionel Messi in a way inspired and motivated himself through his motto shared by one of his associated stating, "His motto is 'I choose to believe.'  As he explains, "you have to believe in yourself and never lose sight of your dreams... but sometimes our dreams need a little helping hand'." (Management, Lionel)  What else could inspire someone so much then a simple phrase, I choose to believe?  Lionel Messi used his motivation to be better and while doing that decided to become a better person and started multiple charities which have expanded and produced happiness through children.  The children that he inspired motivated him more and that's how he got to the recognition that he has today in the world of drama and politics.  Lionel Messi's personal motivation made him the extraordinary person he is today and motivated him to pass Christiano Ronaldo and become the best soccer player through statistics and personality.

          Messi shared his life through selflessness, flexibility, and motivation which proved how he is a true hero for everyone. Messi changed himself from being a depressed soccer player to becoming a blessing to children around the world.  He also became a UNICEF Ambassador.  He made soccer better when he helped his home country win the Olympics, "Lionel Messi represented the country in the 2006 World Cup finals, and scored two goals in five matches as Argentina swept to the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games".  (Rollin, Jack)  Lionel Messi first caught my eye when I saw him dribble the soccer ball.  At first, all I thought of him was that he was the best soccer player in the world.  Now I realize that he has used his popularity to help others and to commit tens of thousands of dollars to charities.  I believe that he makes a true hero and one to be mentioned for years.  Like Benjamin Disaeli supposed, "Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action".  Lionel Messi acted on what made him happy and that was helping the same people that saved him.

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Jack, Rollin. "Messi, Lionel." Britannica Biographies (2011): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 3 May 2012.

"Lionel Messi." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2012.

Promaker. "Fundacion Leo Messi." Fundacion Leo Messi. Adidas, 2010. Web. 10 May 2012. .