Lionel Messi's incredible transformation over the years

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time. His extraordinary talent and mind-boggling skills kept both fans and opponents on the edge of their seats whenever he had the ball - simply Leo Messi.

Some compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo, but his legacy has been unmatched. Let's take a look at his incredible transformation over the years.

Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, which impacted his physical development at an early age, according to The Guardian. The small, scrawny child with a passion for football had a visible talent at an early age, already dominating local youth tournaments in Rosario, where he was born and raised. (1987 - Argentina)

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Young Messi crossed the Atlantic to join La Masia at 13 years old. There he quickly established himself as a prodigious talent, with great technical skills. Furthermore, Barcelona offered to cover his hormone treatment upon arriving at the club, which helped him develop adequate strength for professional football.

The Argentine forward made his first-team debut at the age of 16. His stature remained a modest 1.70m (5'7 ft.), but his low center of gravity gave him great agility and control over the ball.

Under the orders of Frank Rijkaard, Messi began his breakthrough season (2005-2006) as a regular starter alongside famed stars like Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o.

"Putting him on was not a prize. We put him on for his quality and because I saw Deco a little tired. Messi is a lefty, he is a very good dribbler coming inside, and he can shoot with his left foot," shared Rijkaard after Messi's La Liga debut against Espanyol.

Former teammate Deco witnessed Messi dribble half of the Getafe defense like Maradona (2007), later claiming "It's the most beautiful goal I've ever seen and, don't forget I've seen Ronaldo, Maradona, and Ronaldinho live. Today's goal is perfect."

"I already know the player who will take my place in football, and his name is Lionel Messi. He has something different from any other player. He is a leader who is showing an example," shared Diego Maradona during an interview after watching Messi score a hat trick (3-3) vs. Real Madrid in 2007.

Under the Pep Guardiola era, Messi exploded into a world-class star. The Argentine forward evolved tactically, dropping into a false nine role. He guided Barcelona to a historic treble and his first Ballen d'Or (2009).

There was a time when Pep Guardiola's Barcelona looked unbeatable, they dominated European football in every way shape, or form. Messi was the 'core engine' behind the team, and most epic victories came off his left foot. During this period (2009-2012), the Argentine won four consecutive Ballon d'Or titles.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney shared on social media, "Messi is a joke. For me the best ever," right after the Argentine drilled five goals in one game against Bayern Leverkusen during the 2012 Champions League.

The Barcelona star would go on to captain the Argentinian national team, helping Messi grow as a leader. They reached the 2014 World Cup final but fell short.

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Serious injuries saw Messi off the pitch repeatedly during the 2013-2014 campaign. Bad hamstring injuries limited the Argentine's playing time, however, despite his injuries he still managed to score 41 goals in 46 games... Only Messi.

Now, paired with Neymar and Luis Suarez, the Argentine shifted to a deeper and more creative role. The attacking trio, dubbed 'MSN', went on to win the treble in 2015.

In the 409 games MSN played together, they scored a total of 344 goals and provided 157 assists between the three of them, according to Transfermarkt.

"Leo has rightfully entered into history. We are witnessing the best [player] in every sense. He does everything and he does every three days. He doesn't just score goals, he scores great goals," shared former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

As Messi entered his 30s, the Argentine slightly dropped in physical form, but not class. He further honed his playmaking skills to become an all-rounded creator on the pitch. He was still a key player to the Barcelona squad.

Messi is La Liga's all-time top scorer, with a total of 476 goals (FC Barcelona). He also holds the record for the most goals scored in a single season, with 50 in the 2011-2012 campaign.

After 21 years with Barcelona, the Argentine forward chose to leave his 'home club' for a new adventure in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021. It was the end of an era, an emotional departure due to strict financial constraints, reports the Spanish publication Marca.

Adapting to PSG was not easy for the Argentine forward. After spending a lifetime at a club like FC Barcelona, it took time to adjust to a new system. He was highly criticized by fans for not matching the same form as in Barcelona, which caused him to leave the French capital for greener pastures.

Despite being 35, Messi managed to snatch a remarkable World Cup title in the final stages of his career. Messi led Argentina to victory, achieving his ultimate professional dream with his national team.

After a long, extensive career, Messi is now unwinding in the MLS, playing for Inter Miami. Joined by his former Barcelona teammates (MSN), the Argentine is simply enjoying the game while he can.

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