The Diagnosis: How a Medical Condition Threatened a Legend's Career
Before Lionel Messi became a football icon, his career was jeopardized by a serious medical condition. Around the age of 10, it became clear that the talented youngster was not growing at a normal rate. After a year of testing, he was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). This condition is caused by a malfunction in the pituitary gland, which is responsible for producing sufficient amounts of growth hormone. Without intervention, doctors predicted Messi would reach a maximum adult height of only 4 feet 7 inches. This was a devastating blow, as his physical size could have prevented him from ever playing professional football.
In addition to short stature, GHD can lead to several other health issues, including lower muscle mass, poor bone strength, and a weaker immune system. The diagnosis explained why Messi was so much smaller than his peers and set the stage for the medical intervention that would ultimately save his career. The discovery that what did Messi take to get bigger was a therapeutic treatment, not a performance enhancer, is crucial to understanding his story.
The Treatment: Daily Injections and Barcelona's Crucial Intervention
To combat his GHD, Messi required daily injections of synthetic Human Growth Hormone, known as somatotropin. Starting around age 12, Messi and his family embarked on a rigorous and demanding treatment plan. These injections, which he administered himself, became a nightly routine, with the injection sites alternating between his legs. His childhood doctor confirmed that Messi never complained about the discomfort, demonstrating his immense determination to pursue his football dream.
This life-saving treatment, however, came at an exorbitant cost, reportedly ranging from $900 to $1,500 per month. This was an expense his family, headed by a factory worker and a cleaner, could not sustain. After his youth club in Argentina failed to fully fund the treatment, FC Barcelona stepped in. As part of the agreement to sign him into their academy, the Catalan club agreed to pay for the entirety of his medical expenses. This investment was one of the most critical decisions in football history, allowing a determined young boy to overcome his physical limitations and develop into the global superstar he is today.
Medical Treatment vs. Performance Enhancement
It is important to differentiate between Messi's prescribed medical treatment and the illegal use of HGH as a performance-enhancing drug (PED). The legality and ethical implications are vastly different.
Therapeutic Use vs. Illegal Doping
- Therapeutic Exemption: Messi's use of HGH was medically necessary to correct a diagnosed deficiency. In competitive sports, athletes with legitimate medical conditions can receive therapeutic exemptions for treatments that might otherwise be banned.
- Medical Oversight: Messi's treatment was conducted under strict medical supervision and was aimed at normalizing his growth, not providing an unfair advantage. His final height, 5 feet 7 inches, is an average height for an Argentinian male, indicating the treatment achieved a normal outcome rather than excessive growth.
- Illegal Use: For athletes without a diagnosed deficiency, HGH is a banned substance. It is used illegally to increase muscle mass, improve recovery time, and boost stamina, which is considered doping.
Comparison Table: GHD Treatment vs. Illegal Doping
| Feature | Messi's GHD Treatment | Illegal Doping (HGH) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To correct a medical deficiency and allow for normal growth. | To illegitimately enhance performance and gain an unfair advantage. |
| Medical Status | Medically prescribed, supervised, and documented. | Unauthorized and often obtained illicitly. |
| Legality in Sport | Permissible under a therapeutic use exemption. | Strictly prohibited by anti-doping agencies like WADA. |
| Ethical Standing | Widely considered ethical as it restores normal function and opportunity. | Considered unethical and a form of cheating. |
The Results: More Than Just Height
The hormone treatment enabled Messi to reach a normal adult height and health, but it did not automatically transform him into a football maestro. The combination of his innate talent, incredible work ethic, and perseverance, along with the physical corrections from the treatment, unlocked his potential.
Interestingly, Messi's relatively small stature gave him a unique athletic advantage. His lower center of gravity is often cited as a reason for his exceptional balance, agility, and ability to weave through bigger, stronger defenders. He was able to maintain his blistering speed while controlling the ball, a skill that taller players often struggle with. This low center of gravity, coupled with the proper physical development from the treatment, became a defining aspect of his legendary playing style.
Conclusion: A Testament to Perseverance
Understanding what did Messi take to get bigger reveals a story of medical necessity, not sporting scandal. His journey from a young boy with a debilitating medical condition to one of the greatest football players of all time is a powerful testament to perseverance and the critical role of timely medical intervention. His growth hormone treatment was a vital, legitimate step that allowed his immense talent to flourish, proving that even the most formidable obstacles can be overcome with determination and support. The collaboration between his family, the club that believed in him, and modern medicine ensured that the world got to witness a true genius at work.
The Lionel Messi growth hormone deficiency treatment
From Diagnosis to Domination: The Story of Messi's Growth
- Diagnosis: At age 10, Lionel Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) by his doctor in Argentina.
- Treatment: To address the GHD, Messi underwent daily injections of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), which he self-administered from age 12.
- Cost: The treatment was prohibitively expensive, costing up to $1,500 per month, an amount his family could not afford.
- Funding: FC Barcelona agreed to cover all medical costs for Messi as part of his contract, effectively saving his career.
- Outcome: The treatment allowed Messi to reach a normal adult height of 5'7", enabling him to pursue his football dreams and thrive physically.
- Advantage: His relatively small stature and low center of gravity, a result of his build and the medical intervention, gave him exceptional balance and agility on the field.
- Legitimacy: The treatment was a medically necessary, therapeutic procedure to correct a health condition and is distinct from illegal performance-enhancing doping.
Citations
- Facebook: Lionel Messi did not use HGH (human growth hormone) as a ...
- Facebook: Did You Know? Lionel Messi was diagnosed with Growth Hormone ...
- Business Insider: Messi Left Argentina at Age 13 Over Growth Defect Medicine
- Moneycontrol: Messi was diagnosed with a growth disorder when he was 11 ...
- Dartmouth Journeys: Messi's Medical Journey – Marc Novicoff
- Times of India: Lionel Messi suffered from growth hormone deficiency
