Messi's dream cut short because of Barca

Lionel Messi shared that his childhood dream to play for Newell’s Old Boys was interrupted after he made his debut with Barcelona, launching a legendary path that transformed global football history.

Recently, superstar Lionel Messi moved fans emotionally when he spoke about his “childhood dream” that never came true: playing for his hometown club Newell’s Old Boys.

In an interview with ESPN, Messi stated: “I always dreamed of playing for Newell’s first team. I used to go to the stadium every week, imagining one day stepping onto the pitch wearing their colors. But everything changed when I left Argentina at 13 and debuted for Barcelona. From that moment, my life turned a new page filled with miracles I never imagined.”

Messi’s journey could have been very different if not for the “historic napkin” contract, considered a destiny-defining moment in world football. On December 14, 2000, during a lunch in Barcelona, sporting director Carles Rexach wrote a commitment to sign the 13-year-old boy from Rosario on a napkin after Argentine clubs, including River Plate, refused to pay for Messi’s growth hormone treatment.

The hurried words “Barcelona agrees to sign Lionel Messi despite all objections” opened a new chapter for both the player and the club. One month later, Messi officially joined Barcelona’s roster.

Three years later, on November 16, 2003, Messi made his first appearance for Barcelona in a friendly against Porto at just 16 years old. A year after, he officially debuted in La Liga against Espanyol, becoming the youngest player in club history to play in Spain’s top league. From that moment, a legend began to be written.

Over 17 years at Camp Nou, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 matches, won 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League trophies, and numerous individual records, including 8 Ballon d’Or awards. Although he never returned to Newell’s as he once dreamed, Messi admitted: “I have lived a life beyond all childhood dreams.”

Currently, at 38 years old, Messi is still playing for Inter Miami and continues to lead Argentina, the 2022 world champions,aiming to defend their crown at the 2026 World Cup. The story of the “napkin” from years ago remains a symbol of faith and the decision that changed football history. Recently, that memorabilia was auctioned for over £762,000, proving Messi’s legacy lies not only in goals but also in the miraculous journey that started with a hastily written note.

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