As Lionel Messi turns 39, he finds himself doing what he has done for most of his career—making history on football’s biggest stage
At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Messi has once again emerged as one of the tournament’s defining stories, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals. Remarkably, Messi has scored five goals in just two matches so far, helping Argentina secure a place in the knockout stages while reminding the world that age remains little more than a number for one of sport’s greatest icons.
Yet beyond the goals, trophies and headlines lies an equally fascinating story. In Messi by acclaimed football journalist Guillem Balagué, available on Audible, listeners get an intimate look at the moments, sacrifices and twists of fate that shaped a shy boy from Rosario into one of the most celebrated athletes the world has ever seen. As fans around the globe celebrate Messi’s 39th birthday while watching him create new records at World Cup 2026, here are 6 fascinating stories from Balagué’s book available on Audible. that reveal the man behind the legend.
*Barcelona Signed Messi on a Napkin:* Today, Lionel Messi is synonymous with Barcelona. But according to Balagué, one of the most important deals in football history began not in a boardroom, but at a restaurant. Convinced that Messi’s talent was too extraordinary to lose, Barcelona executive Carles Rexach famously wrote a commitment to sign the young Argentine on a paper napkin. What seemed like a simple promise would go on to transform both the club and world football forever.
*Messi’s Grandmother Predicted His Greatness Before Anyone Else:* Messi’s grandmother, Celia, w was among the first people to recognise his extraordinary talent. She would accompany him to training sessions and reportedly convinced coaches to let him play against older boys. Messi has often credited her with changing the course of his life and famously points to the sky after scoring goals in her memory.
*Ronaldinho Told Barcelona To Watch Out For Messi:* Even before Messi became a regular first-team player, Ronaldinho was telling teammates and club officials that the young Argentine would eventually become better than everyone else at the club, including him. At the time, Ronaldinho was the biggest star in world football.
*He Retired From Argentina And An Entire Nation Tried To Bring Him Back:* After losing another major final, Messi walked away from international football, saying: _”The national team is over for me.”_ Argentina descended into collective heartbreak. Fans launched campaigns, newspapers pleaded for him to return, and politicians weighed in. Months later, he reversed his decision and eventually led Argentina to Copa América and World Cup glory.
*Barcelona Paid for an Expensive Hormone Treatment Just For Messi:* As a teenager at La Masia, Messi was so physically small compared to his peers that Barcelona developed special training and medical programmes around him. The club paid for his expensive growth hormone treatment and carefully managed his development because they believed they were nurturing a once-in-a-generation talent.
*The Pressure Of Being “The Next Maradona” Nearly Became A Burden:* Long before he won the World Cup, Messi spent years carrying the expectation of succeeding Diego Maradona. Balagué writes about how Argentina’s obsession with finding another national hero often turned into criticism whenever Messi fell short with the national team. For years, some fans even questioned whether he was “Argentine enough” because he had spent most of his life in Spain. The eventual World Cup triumph became the ending to a story that had been decades in the making.