Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: From kids with health issues to being the best in the world

“If you keep on partying, you’ll be out of here in days. Start eating properly, quit alcohol, go to bed early and come to practice on time. Only then might you become the best in the world.”

That’s what Lionel Messi was told by Pep Guardiola when he was the coach of Barcelona’s B team few years back. This was the time when Messi was also best friends with Ronaldinho and Deco.

Not known to many, the best footballer in the world at present was almost on the verge of choosing a path where he would have been in news because of controversies, not football. He was also prone to injuries and had cried after a match in 2008 against Celtic because of an injury. By that time, he had seven injuries to his name since 2006. Not only this, as a kid he recently confessed that he used to be miserable and cried a lot when he was alone in Barcelona, away from his family, training as a young kid. He was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) at the age of 9, as a result of which he had to move to Barcelona who agreed to sponsor his treatment which cost about $900 a month at that time.

In Messi’s case, coming to Barcelona was a blessing in disguise. He was able to play without any worries and hassles arising from GHD. But injury was a constant issue and then came the golden hand of Pep Guardiola who chiselled this diamond. He not only made Messi change his routine, sleeping habits and diet (from steaks to vegetables) but also hired Juanjo Brau (physiotherapist) to watch him day and night. Now Messi trains with Juanjo Brau 45 minutes before every training session and half an hour after each session (as mentioned in the new book called ‘The Messi Mystery’). Because of his fast paced game, he was also advised by Guardiola to conserve his energy for short quick bursts during the game. This resulted in reducing the risk of muscles injuries and the result is for the world to see.

Not far behind is the case of Cristiano Ronaldo who was nicknamed as a cry baby in his childhood. He used to cry when he passed and his friends didn’t score. At the age of 15, Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart, a condition that might have forced him to give up playing football.

In Ronaldo’s case, the credit goes to Alex Ferguson who under his guidance made Ronaldo into one of the finest pieces of diamond the soccer world has ever seen. When Ronaldo played against Man Utd on 6 Aug, 2003, a deal was already being put into place for bringing this ferocious and talented athlete to one of the best clubs of the soccer world. Alex Ferguson had so much confidence in the ability of the young player that he refused to give him the 28 number jersey to wear, only because he wanted him to wear the coveted 7 number jersey which was previously worn by greats like Eric Cantona, George Best and David Beckham. People who have played with Ronaldo also talk about his work ethic. The story goes that Ronaldo would finish training, strap some weights on his ankle and go back to the field to work on his game, something which he has been doing since his childhood.

Both of these jewels had problems in their childhood. Both had a coach who saw the potential in them and made sure that they lived up to it. Both have a work ethic that other players vouch for, they practice even after the practice sessions are over. They might have a different playing style, but for sure, their journey so far has been full of ambition, hard work and dedication to their game. No wonder they are the best that the world of soccer has today.