5 Reasons Why Messi Is More Than Just A Footballer

Lionel Messi has done much more than enough already to prove that he’s the greatest of all time. The Ballon D’Ors, the Golden Boots and the Pichichis that he has won are just some individual honours which are rewarded to him for his greatness on the pitch. But even off the pitch he’s just as amazing. To express it in relation to the current social media trends he is literally #goals. A true model that is inspirational to all. Actually this article isn’t a description of his goals the beauty with which he scores them; because such descriptions can be found everywhere over the internet.This article is about some noteworthy features of his character that are worth emulating.

LOYALTY

Loyalty to Club

Since 2001 when he started his football career at the La Masia Academy of FC Barcelona, he is still plying his trade today with the same club. It was a big decision for him and his family who decided to relocate to Spain from Rosario, Argentina. From being a protégé to the Spanish heavyweights like Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol; after all these years of immense hardwork and consistency at the highest, today he wears the coveted amulet i.e. the captain's armband. Along the way in his career he has declined big money offers from clubs like Manchester City who'd have filled his house with oil money. but he rejected all of them because of his passion for the club.

His insanely mammoth contribution to the club season after season is unparallel. And frankly, he deserves to have a statue of him in front of Camp Nou, the day he leaves the club.

Messi said he wishes to play for Barcelona for as long as he can. He grew up with the "blaugrana" in his heart. He will have it when he leaves the club too. He'll probably retire as a "one-club-man". The greatest legend in the history of Barcelona.

Loyalty to Country

Leo also happens to be the captain of the Argentina National Team. As great as the Arg team looks on paper, when the players step on the pitch they play like an average team- a fact that any football fan will agree. The big names except Messi in the squad fail to deliver more often than not. Messi carried his team to 3 Copa America Finals and a World Cup Final but in the end he returned empty handed every time. Messi hasn't had the same level of success with his national team that he has had with Barcelona. Their team lacks chemistry and hence the results are disappointing, naturally.

Despite all these losses he sticks to his side. He was offered to play for Spain but he refused to change his nationality because of the love for his nation. Spanish National Team, which has played a nearly similar brand of football as Barcelona, all these years is the best suited national team for Messi. He could've chosen to play with his mates Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, Puyol, Villa, Alba and so many more who represented the same club as Messi at club level (i.e. Barcelona). But he did not. Why? Because of his love for Argentina and loyalty to his motherland.

Loyalty to Partner

Messi is married to his childhood girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo. Keep in mind she didn't move to Spain when Messi did when he was young. A lot can happen over the years. But keeping a relationship alive from miles away and that too for years and years is so rare. Espescially, Messi, being a talented footballer in his youth days and becoming the greatest of all time in his late twenties could have had any woman he wanted. But he chose his childhood love to be his partner in life.

FAIR PLAY

In today's football the ethics is something that is repeatedly breached by footballers. Professionals playing at the highest level are seen diving or performing theatrics on the pitch to exaggerate contact. Neymar's roll on the pitch in one of the World Cup matches this year became so popular that it became a meme in social media world. Cristiano Ronaldo, a player whose name is taken in the same breath as Messi is infamous of one aspect of his game i.e. diving. Luis Suarez, Mohammed Salah are just the few of the top players who can be added to the list. This has impacted the new generation of footballers too. Kylian Mbappe who is currently the best young sensation in football was also caught in the same act.

But Messi? Messi doesn't beleive in winning through unfair means. You would have hardly ever seen him involved in simulation or any other questionable acts. It kills the spirit of the game and Messi knows that.

Tackles are a part of game but dishonestly pretending to have affected by one is wrong. Others fall to the ground on minimal contact by the opposition. Messi dodges them and keeps marching towards the goal. If at all he falls, he gets back up the very next moment and moves ahead with the ball.

These are small parts of football but they reveal the character of a player and his approach towards the game.

HUMANE NATURE

Messi had been diagnosed with growth hormone defeciency when he was a kid. For an athlete, who needs perfect physical health all season for his professional career this is a major problem. But he overcame that by treatment which was sponsored by Barcelona. Since he had experienced such a disease already he didn't want other children to suffer from the same. So in 2007 he started his own foundation called "The Lionel Messi Foundation" to fund medical research centres worldwide. Messi has contributed in a number of ways to help the people around the world. Some of the good examples would be:

1 in 11 Campaign: Messi partnered with Serena Williams as a face of "1 in 11 Campaign" by UNICEF to help 58 million children who were uneducated.

Syrian Classrooms: During civil war in Syria many children had been affected by disruption in educational institutions. Messi with his "Lionel Messi Foundation" helped 1600 children by building 20 classrooms.

Doctors Without Borders: Messi donated €72783 toto the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders.

Wedding Gift Donation: Even during his wedding Messi did not forget the spirit of serving and urged the guests invited to donate money to his charity foundation instead of bringing presents.

For more information, check this article.

A GREAT FRIEND

It might seem to some that a man of Messi's stature, who has won almost everything in life, can be an exclusive personality who'd not blend nicely with everyone. But it is actually the opposite. Messi has some really good friends in his current teammate Luis Suarez and former teammate Neymar. The chemistry between the three was apparent in the MSN era when the trident was ripping apart teams match after match. That has to be the best trio in football and the most pleasant to watch.

Neymar's connection to Leo was very deep. He got emotional and was tearful when he was asked about explaining his relationship with Messi. He said

“I tell it for everybody now, that when I needed help the most, the best in the world showed me affection,”

Take a look at this video and see for yourself how he feels about Leo after leaving Barcelona for Paris.

For Suarez, however, we can still see his relationship going great with Messi. The duo also happens to be one of the top scoring duos in the European leagues this season. The Messi and Suarez family vacations, parties and outings that we see on their instagram indicate how close they are.

Messi also has great respect for his collegues. Iniesta, Xavi, Pique, Alba, Dani Alves and Busquets share a special bond. That's why we never even hear news about the dressing room bust ups among these big personalities and espescially any involvement of Messi in it.

A LOVING FATHER

The Messi family is one of the cutest. Leo's love towards his children is immense. So much that he has their names tattooed on his body. He talks to his kids about football and they show interest too. He was also seen accompanying Thiago to one of Barcelona's matches when he was injured this season. Or to emphasize his feeling toward his children watch this clip.