Three Reports Reveal Messi's First Days at Barcelona: They Were Going Not to Sign Him Because of His Height!

The Rosario-born boy, whose strength and physical build were expected to stand in the way of his success, ended his time with the team in 2021 as the club's all-time top scorer and Barcelona's greatest player in history.

The recently released documents from Barcelona's football academy (La Masia) show that one of the coaches who monitored him, in a report, asked the club not to sign a contract with him due to his height and physique.

According to Ambassador Arjan, world football superstar Lionel Messi wore the national team jersey for the last time in the preparatory match between Argentina and Benin in October and said goodbye to national competitions after 21 years.

While Messi hung up his shoes in the national level after winning all the available honors, the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo revealed the reports of the first days of the Argentine superstar's appearance in the Barca club in 2000, which was accompanied by doubts about his success, after 26 years.

Florent Tourchot, France Football writer and biographer of King Leo, has revealed three evaluation reports drawn up by La Masia coaches during the Argentinian's first trials at Barcelona in the autumn of 2000.

Lionel Messi dazzled everyone from an early age, but even that talent wasn't enough to convince everyone at Barcelona. Leaked reports remind us that the road to greatness began with skepticism.

The published documents show how differently the Rosario-born 13-year-old was judged upon his arrival.

His technique dazzled everyone upon his arrival at La Masia Academy in Barcelona. His height and physical development were another matter entirely, raising doubts about whether he could compete at a higher level.

In the leaked documents, three coaches' reports on their evaluation of the 13-year-old player in 2000 were published.

The first coach talked about Messi's football skills and how technically ahead of his peers he is. The report said, referring to his keen vision, agility, intelligence, dribbling and shooting power: "Considering his age, he is technically an incredibly complete player." The report concluded with glowing words: “Great in the box. His only weakness is his short stature and lack of physical strength. A great player".

After that, an even sadder report came out. The second coach agreed that the Argentine's technical quality was undeniable, but believed that his physique could be a serious obstacle to his development. The report stated: "His short height (142 cm) hinders his competitiveness."

He even questioned whether Messi could play in higher age groups if he grows to 150 cm. The report left no room for debate: "I don't think his contract will be signed." The second coach suggested monitoring his progress, then checking back in two years.

A third report rejected this view. Its author had no doubts about the young Argentine's potential and urged the club to complete the deal: "In a way, he (a Maradona) is young. I signed a contract with him. He has a lot to offer. We'll see how it progresses."

After these reports, Messi rose step by step in Barcelona and played 778 official games for Barcelona, ​​scored 672 goals and won 35 titles.

So the boy from Rosario, whose strength and physique were supposed to get in the way, ended his career with the club in 2021 as the club's all-time top scorer and the greatest player in Barcelona history.