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Leo Messi's Rise to the Top of World Soccer

Tom Anagnost

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A soccer coach with over two decades of experience, Tom Anagnost serves as head coach of the women's team at Mississippi State University. In his free time, Tom Anagnost enjoys watching professional player Leo Messi.

A 29-year-old professional soccer player from Argentina, Lionel (Leo) Messi has broken numerous records throughout his career with FC Barcelona. Messi’s rise to the top of world soccer is especially impressive given his humble beginnings in central Argentina, where doctors diagnosed him with a growth hormone deficiency as a youth. He moved to Barcelona with his family at the age of 13 to receive treatment, and at this time began training in FC Barcelona’s youth academy.

Messi quickly advanced through the club's youth academy and debuted with FC Barcelona’s first team on October 16, 2004. He has since helped the club win 29 titles, including eight La Liga titles and four Champion’s League titles. He also holds the all-time record for the number of goals scored in La Liga, having broken the 59-year record of 251 goals held by Telmo Zarra during the 2014-15 season.