{"id":1039425,"date":"2019-08-24T06:08:40","date_gmt":"2019-08-24T10:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1039425"},"modified":"2023-06-15T14:16:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-15T18:16:33","slug":"how-lionel-messis-rare-condition-almost-cost-him-his-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/how-lionel-messis-rare-condition-almost-cost-him-his-career\/","title":{"rendered":"How Lionel Messi's Rare Condition Almost Cost Him His Career"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lionel Messi is one of the premier athletes in professional soccer on a global scale<\/a>. The Inter Miami player<\/a> has been competing professionally since he was just a teenager. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi's list of accomplishments puts him up with some of the greatest to ever play the game. It might come as a surprise to learn that the soccer<\/a> superstar's career was almost over before it began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lionel Messi's diagnosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Business Insider<\/a>, Lionel Messi is the son of a factory worker and a cleaner. Growing up in Argentina, Messi began playing soccer when he was just a little boy. His talent was noticeable from a very early age. It was clear soccer was the right path for him. However, when Messi was just 11 years old, his soccer dreams took a hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), so his growth was stunted. Without proper treatment, he was unlikely to be able to pursue his dreams. While local club River Plate was interested in signing him, they were unwilling to pay for his medical treatments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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