The gloom when I first arrived in Barcelona
Messi smiled on the first photo of his pass after arriving in Barcelona, but this kind of smile will be hard to see in the next six months. In the first few months in Barcelona, everything was terrible for Messi. On March 6th, 20001year, Messi came to Barcelona, and the Catalan Football Association issued a temporary entry permit for him, but the old boys Club of Newell refused to issue an international transfer certificate for him. Messi can only represent Barcelona's junior B team in regionals, but not his junior A team in nationals, because he is a foreigner. According to the regulations of the Spanish Football Association, he can't participate in all national competitions.
On April 2 1, Messi was kicked off his left fibula in the game, which was the first serious injury in his career, and he didn't come back from injury until June 6. Comeback only 1 month, Messi left ankle edema, had to rest for several weeks. Messi played only two official matches and/kloc-0 friendly matches in his first season in Barcelona. The only good news is that the doctor decided to gradually replace the injection of growth hormone with physical training and diet control to help Messi grow up gradually.
In terms of study and life, the Messi family encountered greater discomfort. Messi is still not interested in learning, but he never bothers the teacher and sits in the corner doing his own thing. When my sister Maria came back from the summer vacation, she never wanted to set foot on Spanish soil again. Messi's parents asked him if he wanted to stay in Rosario or go to Barcelona. Messi firmly chose Barcelona. In this way, my father Jorge lived in Barcelona with his three sons, and my mother Celia stayed in Argentina with her daughter. Since then, the separated life across the ocean has become a lifestyle that Messi's family has been unable to change for many years.
Glory after the storm
On August 20th, Messi returned to Barcelona after his summer vacation. As the international transfer certificate has not yet arrived, he can only participate in some tournaments and friendly matches. Messi can only concentrate on training and friendly matches, and this attitude has been affirmed by the echelon coach. Messi started transshipment at 200 1. First, in 65438+February, Jorge signed a second contract with the club. Messi has signed seven contracts with Barcelona so far, which shows the rapid progress of this young man. In February, 2002, FIFA ruled that the Spanish Football Association could register Messi, and Messi didn't officially play in Catalonia until 1 year after Barcelona. From April 27th to May 7th, Barcelona beat Inter Milan, Chievo and Brescia, drew with Juventus, and finally beat Parma in the final. Messi began to be the topic of discussion.
"At first, we thought he was dumb." Now Arsenal captain Fabregas recalls, "Only after living in Italy and playing Playstation together did we discover that he could talk." At that time, Vazquez, another main player of Junior B Team, said: "Messi came to the locker room every day, sat in his corner, changed clothes without saying a word, and only became active in Italy." At that time, the coach of the team, villanova (now the assistant coach of the first team and Guardiola's assistant) also thought that it was Italian life that brought Messi into the team. "He is not introverted at all on the court. Watching him play football is like watching diego maradona. "
Messi's 2002-03 season was brilliant. He won the championship twice and scored 36 goals in 30 games, 5 more than the main striker Vazquez, including 3 hat tricks and 4 yuan 1 win. At that time, Messi of 1.62m was the shortest player in the team, weighing 55kg, which was far from Pique of1.91m. Messi only missed the Spanish national championship because he was a foreigner, but he won the championship with his teammates.
Puyol's mask
Alex Garcia, one of the echelon coaches who coached Messi, told a special story:
"Messi was the little brother of the team at that time, and everyone protected him because others always kicked him. Big Pique and Vazquez protected him the most. Messi left his hometown to live with his father. I can understand his homesickness. I asked him several times what difficulties he had, but he never answered that there was nothing to worry about. Messi, 15 years old, already knows what she wants. He understands the sacrifice of himself and his family and doesn't want to miss the opportunity before him. He has his own style, the style of street football, which is outstanding. We tried to integrate him into the Barcelona style, that is, everyone participated in passing the ball as much as possible and controlled the ball in the midfield. After entering the frontcourt for 30 meters, everyone played their talents.
"At that time, in the last league game, Messi collided with a Spaniard and was temporarily unconscious. The diagnosis was a facial fracture. Although we won the league title 3-/kloc-0-,there will be the Catalan Cup in two weeks, and we are all worried about Messi. The doctor said that two months ago, the first-team defender Puyol had similar symptoms to Messi and finally put on a protective mask. Maybe Macy can try. Messi finally came on stage with a mask, but after playing for a while, he ran to me and threw the mask at me. I told him at that time,' If you take off your mask, I will replace you. Not only will I be punished by law, but you will also be punished.' But he said to me,' Just for a moment'. After that, Messi scored two goals in five minutes and we led 3-0 at half-time. I told him at halftime,' You did everything for the team, and you were on the bench in the second half'. "
1 year four echelons
200 1-02 season is an incredible season. Messi and Pique were promoted to Youth A Team at the beginning of the season, while Messi successively completed the jump from Youth A Team to Barcelona C Team and then to B Team during the season. Messi played for the Youth A team until Christmas, then participated in the King's Cup final of the youth group in May, and finally scored 118 goals in1game. In the final of Nelha Championship, Betis scored a goal at half-time and finally won the championship. Messi has played for both Youth A and Barcelona C since June 5438+0, 2006. At that time, Barcelona C team was on the verge of relegation with 9 points of 14. After Messi joined, 10 scored 5 goals and successfully helped the team avoid relegation. On March 16, 2002, Messi was promoted to Team B. Although he only won 1 in five appearances, he has proved that he can adapt to the competition of the older group and was named the best player after the game against Jerona.
Messi is only one step away from the first team, but the youth team B, which is three levels lower than team B, needs his help. Juan Carlos, then coach of the youth team, recalled: "If others were asked to be demoted to play football, they would definitely be unhappy, but Messi didn't." At that time, Barcelona, Spaniard and PuRemia were fighting for the league title in 2003-04. As long as the Spaniards beat Barcelona, the championship was just around the corner, but Messi came on the stage to equalize and finally helped Barcelona win the championship two weeks later. At the end of the season, Jorge and Barcelona negotiated Messi's first professional contract. There was a big gap between the two sides, but an agreement was finally reached, because Arsenal had taken advantage of the chaos in the later period of Gaspar's administration to snatch Fabregas, and Barcelona could not afford a bigger blow.
Sunday, October 6, 2003/kloc-0. This day is the opening ceremony of the Dragon Stadium in Porto. Porto invited Barcelona to play the opening match. Because it was an international match day, most of Barcelona's main players could not play, and eventually they lost to the home team 0-2. However, the Portuguese were lucky enough to witness Messi's first appearance for the Barcelona first team. In the 74th minute, Messi 14 replaced fernando navarro and became the third youngest player to represent the first team in Barcelona history at the age of 16 years, 4 months and 23 days.
Heroes of the 2005 World Youth Championship
On June 29th, 2004, Messi made his debut in Paraguay on behalf of the Argentine youth team. At that time, the score was 3-0 and the final result was 8-0. Tocalli, then coach, recalled: "After the game, I got a call from Peckerman (coach of Argentine youth team). He asked me,' Where did you find this child? That's great. Will he eventually become the main force of Uruguay? "Messi is still not the main player against Uruguay, but after the game, Ole newspaper commented:" Messi is different. He scored two goals and took part in the fourth. He was the star who beat Uruguay 4-/kloc-0. "
It was not until the South American Youth Championship against Peru that Messi became the main force for the first time. Tocalli explained: "This is a competition of 1985 age group, and he is in 1987. Two years means a big gap. I don't want to put the responsibility on his shoulders, he still needs to be taken care of. " Messi finally scored five goals, and was the second shooter in this tournament, helping Argentina qualify for the World Youth Championship. Colombian top scorer Rodallega said: "There is no doubt that I am better than Messi." Messi has no intention of arguing. "There is nothing to say. I try my best for the team. "
In the first match of the World Youth Championship, Messi didn't start because of injury, and Argentina lost 0-/kloc-0-to the United States. From World War II in Egypt, Messi became the main force, and Argentina entered the quarterfinals of Egypt, Germany and Colombia. The opponents in the 1/4 finals were the European champions and runners-up in the last World Youth Championship. This battle is known as the early final, and the confrontation between Messi and former Barcelona teammate Fabregas has become a major attraction. The game was deadlocked until the 70th minute, and it was still 1 ratio 1. However, after that, the Spanish team began to lose concentration, and the Argentine team passed 3- 1 with Messi's assist and goal.
The semi-final is the South American Derby: Argentina vs Brazil. In the 8th minute, Messi scored the first goal from a long-range shot outside the penalty area, and Lei Natuo equalized the score in the second half. In the end, Zabaleta used Messi's breakthrough to shoot again in the restricted area to eliminate Brazil. In the 38th minute of the final against Nigeria, Messi was tackled with the ball 40 meters from the left. He personally scored a penalty, 1-0. Nigerian equalized in the second half, but in the 73rd minute, aguero took another penalty, and Messi took the penalty to win the cup for Argentina. He also won two honors: the best player and the best shooter.
Battle of Adinik
In the 2005-06 season, Adidas and Nike went to court for Messi. After judgment, appeal and re-judgment, Adidas finally won and Messi became one of the most famous spokesmen in the world.
Solanas, director of Adidas Iberian Sports Marketing Department, recalled: "Things have to start from the beginning. In 2003, we began to contact Jorge, Messi's father and agent. At that time, Messi and Nike had a contract, but it was not an image right contract, but a sponsorship contract for clothing and sneakers. At that time, Jorge told me that he didn't want to change his family, because Nike began to sponsor Messi two years ago. He is 14 years old, but I have never broken contact with him. "
Messi was only 16 years old in 2003. At that time, did Adidas rob people or even sue Nike for this child? "In order to ensure the input, we only trust the words of the coach and scouts. Everyone says that Messi is a treasure among young people and has an unlimited future. We don't want to be late. " By 2005, "Messi's contract with Nike had expired, and Messi continued to wear Nike equipment because Nike was a sponsor of Barcelona. Jorge wants to wait until after the World Youth Championship. Nike and Messi signed an intention contract two days before the start of the World Youth Championship, but a few months later, the negotiations failed. We began to step in and give Messi the economic conditions he was interested in and the publicity plan for the 2006 World Cup. In June 2006, we finally signed a contract with Messi until June 30, 2065, 438+00. "
It is reported that Adidas' bid is five times that of Nike, reaching $6,543,800+a year, although Solanas refused to disclose the specific figures on the grounds of trade secrets. Messi took part in the King's Cup match against Zaragoza in Adidas sneakers, but was taken to court by Nike. On appeal, the judge awarded Messi to Adidas.
Solanas believes that Messi's commercial value lies in: "He is fresh air, just like an animated character on the court." Some people think that the introverted Macy's business value is not high, but Solanas holds a different opinion: "Simplicity is Macy's advantage. Many stars seem to live in another world, far away from us, and Messi has narrowed the distance with his shyness. Besides, Messi can embody our slogan "Nothing is impossible". His body is not strong. It is a perfect example that he 13 years old came to the Barcelona Youth Team. Truth is Messi's biggest selling point. "
Where is the main market of Macy's? "He has a good market in Latin America, Spain and Asia, especially in Japan, because Messi is very small. I think this logic is stupid, but it's true. Japanese people can find a sense of identity from smart little people. In addition, with the repeated confrontation between Barcelona and Chelsea, Messi's market influence in the UK is also increasing. "
Delono's nightmare
February 22, 2006, was described by British and Western media as a day of revenge. Last season, Chelsea and Barcelona met in the Champions League final of 1/8, and the Blues successfully passed through with the ups and downs at home. The Spanish media refused to accept Carvalho's foul on Valdez when Terry scored the final goal, and Ronaldinho and Rijkaard clashed with the security guards at Stamford Bridge after the game. 1 year later, when the two teams met again, the atmosphere of the game was tense.
Messi started with the No.30 jersey, and Del Horno's nightmare began. 3 1 minute, his spikes stepped on Messi's right leg, and the game continued without any warning or protest. But after 6 minutes, he had to repeat this action and was sent off. What happened? Messi fought alongside Robben in the frontcourt. Robben was one position ahead, but was overtaken by Messi at the baseline. Just then, a blue train came and Messi fell to the ground. "I saw the defender shovel hard, so I jumped up and he didn't shovel me." This is the memory of Messi after the game. Robben and eidur gudjohnsen argued around the linesman, Deco and Ronaldinho besieged Del Horno, Puyol almost hit Robben, and Terry quarreled with Norwegian referee Haug. Since then, Messi has sent subtle assists again and again, but either no one is in place or he misses. Motta and Terry each scored a goal, and finally Eto 'o took Max's assist to seal the victory.
Mourinho's 49 unbeaten games at Stamford Bridge are over. Instead of swallowing the bitter fruit, he put the blame on Messi and the referee. "Am I disappointed by Del Horno's red card?" Did you watch the game? Will it help to revoke Del Horno's red card and ban Messi? The result of the game will not change. Macy is acting. Catalonia is a country of culture. As you all know, I have been to the theater there many times, and the level is quite high. Macy will really find a good school. "Eto 'o's response to Mourinho is:" People who say Messi is acting are naked. " Rijkaard said: "Messi was kicked all over." Messi himself just said, "I was kicked in the knee, and my thighs and feet were injured. I'm hurt all over, but I don't feel pain because we won. This is an impressive game. "
Messi was called a genius by the media. People compare him to Pele of 1958 World Cup in Sweden, to Diego Diego Maradona of 1979 World Youth Championship, to cruyff and Best. But in the second round of Camp Nou on March 27th, Messi fell to the ground with pain in his left knee while grabbing Robben. "I felt a tingle when I confronted Gallas before, and I wanted to continue, but then I felt I couldn't continue after this action." Rijkaard hugged Messi's head in front of 90,000 fans in Camp Nou to comfort him. Messi strained his right thigh biceps by 4 cm until the Paris final, but Rijkaard didn't want to take any chances and put Messi in the stands. After the game, the lonely Messi refused to enter the stadium to receive the medal.
Del Horno said of Messi after the game: "There is always a player in every game. The more surprised you are, the more painful he will be. Messi is not a provocative striker, he said nothing. There was a passage in front of Messi to enter the restricted area, so I had to stop him. Then he started rolling on the ground and I was sent off. Messi is very cunning. He said he thought I was a serious tackle, but in fact it was nothing. Messi exaggerated, no doubt. "
What are the advantages of Messi? Del Horno said: "He has good control of the ball and is fast. The ball will stick to his feet. It's very difficult to defend him, very difficult, especially when he is in good form. He is a player who kicks the right with his left foot. It's hard for you to stop when he makes a breakthrough inside. He is a real big problem for any defender. I don't know what advice can be given to other defenders to stop Messi. "