Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer and referred to as the greatest of all times (G.O.A.T.). He plays as a forward for Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Thirty-year-old Lionel Messi said that he was "just another player" despite being considered among the all-time greats. The 21st edition of football World Cup is very important for the Argentine star as he has&nbsp;suggested that he will retire from international football&nbsp;if Argentina fail to win. Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2018, here are some interesting facts that you probably&nbsp;did not know:

1. On 14 December 2000, Barcelona's sporting director Carles Rexach held a meeting with 13-year-old Lionel Messi's father Jorge so as to determine the future of the young prodigy. Interestingly, the contract was signed on a napkin which was the only piece of paper available at the time.

2. He became the first player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year 4 year in a row. He won his first Golden ball at the age of 22.

3. His international debut for Argentina lasted for just 47 seconds when he received a red card after coming&nbsp;as a substitute.

4. He was once offered a chance to play for the Spanish national team but he denied it.

5. Whenever he scores a goal, his simple celebration of raising his arms in the air is a gesture of gratitude to his grandmother who passed away when he was 10.

6. He has won the European Golden Shoe award a record five times and is the all-time record winner with 50 goals in 2011–12.

7. Messi scored 91 goals in 2012, a feat no one else has accomplished.

8. When Lionel Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) at the age of 11, the treatment that cost $900 a month all those years ago was something Messi's family were not financially up for. It was Barcelona who intervened and, knowing Messi's potential, it wasn't long until he was called for a trial at the club. The club then offered to pay Messi's medical bills on the condition that he moved to Spain.

9. Messi holds two passports - Argentina's and Spain's. He became a Spanish citizen in September 2005.

10. Messi inherited the No. 10 Barca jersey from another great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.

Messi's international debut for Argentina lasted for just 47 seconds when he received a red card after coming as a substitute

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer and referred to as the greatest of all times (G.O.A.T.). He plays as a forward for Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Thirty-year-old Lionel Messi said that he was "just another player" despite being considered among the all-time greats. The 21st edition of football World Cup is very important for the Argentine star as he has suggested that he will retire from international football if Argentina fail to win. Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2018, here are some interesting facts that you probably did not know: 1. On 14 December 2000, Barcelona's sporting director Carles Rexach held a meeting with 13-year-old Lionel Messi's father Jorge so as to determine the future of the young prodigy. Interestingly, the contract was signed on a napkin which was the only piece of paper available at the time. 2. He became the first player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year 4 year in a row. He won his first Golden ball at the age of 22. 3. His international debut for Argentina lasted for just 47 seconds when he received a red card after coming as a substitute. 4. He was once offered a chance to play for the Spanish national team but he denied it. 5. Whenever he scores a goal, his simple celebration of raising his arms in the air is a gesture of gratitude to his grandmother who passed away when he was 10. 6. He has won the European Golden Shoe award a record five times and is the all-time record winner with 50 goals in 2011–12. 7. Messi scored 91 goals in 2012, a feat no one else has accomplished. 8. When Lionel Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) at the age of 11, the treatment that cost $900 a month all those years ago was something Messi's family were not financially up for. It was Barcelona who intervened and, knowing Messi's potential, it wasn't long until he was called for a trial at the club. The club then offered to pay Messi's medical bills on the condition that he moved to Spain. 9. Messi holds two passports - Argentina's and Spain's. He became a Spanish citizen in September 2005. 10. Messi inherited the No. 10 Barca jersey from another great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.

Lionel Messi got a red card in his 1st match: 10 interesting facts about the striker

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Lionel Messi got a red card in his 1st match: 10 interesting facts about the striker