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The Argentine attacker found a way to thrive against much bigger and fiercer competition from an early age
Lionel Messi’s cousin Maxi Biancucchi has given an interesting insight into how the Barcelona star found a way to deal with his smaller size from an early age.
Despite his relatively small stature, Messi has become a legend for the club and the country in the past 15 years, earning a record six Ballon d’Ors in the process.
The now 32-year-old has never let lack of height stop him on the field with his cousin revealing that even as a boy, Messi never shied away from facing those who were bigger and badder than him.
“In the neighborhood that played with us, we were bigger than him and they told us: ‘Crazy, get him out because we are going to kill him.'” They wanted to hit him, but he endured it, “Biancucchi told Atabo Futbolero through Old.
“When I was eight or nine years old, I would get up early on Saturdays to watch him play and do awesome things. I couldn’t believe it.”
After joining Newell’s Old Boys as a boy before moving to Barcelona in 2001, many Argentines are hopeful that Messi can end his playing career at the club.
While Biancucchi is eager to see his cousin play for Newell’s, he admitted that he is unlikely to return due to security concerns in the region.
“Leo has a lot of love for Argentina, people never understand him,” said Biancucchi.
“If it were not for insecurity, I have no doubts that he would play in Argentina, that is the only thing that can affect him when it comes to returning.
“It is my dream to be able to see Leo at Newell’s, but I see it complicated. It is difficult, imagine that Messi plays a classic, the children have to go to school … the city is hell.”
Messi admitted last year that he dreams of returning to Newell’s, but emphasized that his family comes first.
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“I have a dream of being able to play for Newell’s in Argentina, but I don’t know if it will really happen because I have a family that is ahead of my desire,” said Messi. TyC Sports.
“It is a dream that I have had since I was little, but I have a family, I have three children, I live in a place that has given me everything and where I am calm and I can give my children a spectacular future.”
“We think much more about that than my desire to play soccer in Argentina. I will try to convince the family, because today we also have to convince the children.”
