Launched in the very last World Cup of his career, Lionel Messi managed to qualify Argentina for the round of 16 of the competition. If his footballing talents will never be called into question, find out where his nickname comes from, which has stuck with him forever: the Pulga.
But where does the nickname of the one who is considered one of the best footballers of all time come from? Currently in Qatar to compete in the very last World Cup in its history, Lionel Messi continues to trace his legend. His Argentina team managed, not without difficulty, to qualify for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, during which they will face Australia to try to reach the quarter-finals. Before one of the last most important matches of his career, it’s time to look back on the story of this extraordinary player.
The question that many football fans have never asked themselves, as the nickname of La Pulga has always stuck with him is to know what caused him to be called like that? It all started more than fifteen years ago. It was in 2005 that the Pulga became Leo Messi’s official nickname. While playing at FC Barcelona, Messi scored a new goal, against the Racing Santander team, during a Spanish championship match. After this new paw, an Argentine journalist present in the Camp Nou stadium nicknamed him the Pulga, in reference to its small size and its extraordinary reactivity.
Lionel Messi suffered from a growth stunting illness
This little name then becomes his official nickname, so much the followers of football find that it suits him like a glove. But Lionel Messi doesn’t seem so embarrassed to be called that. It must be said that he is already used to it: his two big brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, have already called him for several years the Pulguitawhich stands for little chip, due to the Paris Saint-Germain star’s growing pains.
Aged 10, Lionel Messi passes several medical tests because his parents are worried about his growth, much later than the majority of other children his age. The verdict is in: he suffers from hypopituitarism, a problem stemming from a deficit in somatotropin secretion, which gives him the appearance of a younger child, due to his frail build.
Despite this disabling disease, FC Barcelona is seduced by the technical prowess of Lionel Messi. The Spanish club are certain of having a new football prodigy and therefore decide to take full responsibility for the treatment of the young Argentinian, valued at over $1,000 at the time, an astronomical sum for his family. Thanks to this treatment, the “Pulga” has since grown and now measures 1.70m. For the immense career that we all know.