Lionel Messi - Youth Career

Newell's Old Boys

"When you saw him, you'd think: this kid can't play football. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But right away you'd realize he was born different, that he had something special, and he was going to be something incredible."
— Newell’s Old Boys youth coach Adrián Coria, recalling his first impression of 12-year-old Messi.

A lifelong supporter of Newell’s Old Boys, Messi joined the Rosario-based club at the age of seven. During his six years playing for Newell’s, he was part of the nearly unbeatable youth side known as “The Machine of ’87,” named after their birth year. As a member of this team, Messi scored nearly 500 goals and often entertained fans at halftime during the first team's home games with ball tricks.

Growing up, his idol was Brazilian striker Ronaldo, whom Messi has described as “the best forward I’ve ever seen.”

However, his future as a professional footballer was put at risk when, at age 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Since his father’s health insurance only covered two years of growth hormone therapy—which cost at least $1,000 per month—Newell’s initially agreed to contribute but later broke their promise.

Buenos Aires club River Plate scouted him and were interested in signing him, as Messi admired their playmaker Pablo Aimar. It was long believed that River Plate couldn’t sign him due to his medical condition. However, in a 2019 interview, Messi revealed that after scoring four goals in a trial, River Plate had offered to pay for his treatment. They wanted to sign him, but Newell’s Old Boys, who had already refused to cover his treatment, also refused to release his player card, ultimately blocking the transfer.

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