Michael Part - The Flea: The Amazing Story of Leo Messi

To Lisa
&
the Kids
Liz, Nick, Maddy, Emily, and Matthew

Copyright 2013. All rights reserved to Sole Books.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from Sole Books. For information regarding permission write to Sole Books, P.O. Box 10445, Beverly Hills, CA 90213.

A special thank you to Yonatan Ginsberg for his contribution to this book. His love and depth of knowledge of the beautiful game were invaluable.

Cover photos front: Reuters/Gustau Nacarino.
Back: Reuters/Marcelo del Pozo.
Cover design: Omer Pikarski
Inside page layout: Lynn Snyder

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data available.

e-ISBN 978-1-938591-10-5

Published by Sole Books, Beverly Hills, California

Printed in the United States of America
First edition April 2013

10987654321

www.solebooks.com

Leo Messis is a life made in heaven and straight out of the movies. This book exists solely because of Yitzhak and Yonatan Ginsberg of Sole Books. Their devotion to the beautiful game and their love of Leo Messi rubbed off on me. Their steadfast, unconditional love and support for me made this book possible.

And to Grand Master Mark Cox for helping me think like a champion.

Flight 7767 to Buenos Aires, Argentina, is ready to board.

The Barcelona Airport loudspeaker startled 13-year-old Lionel Messi and he pressed tight against his mother, Celias, side. His father, Jorge, was next to him. Leo, as most everyone called him, would now be living in Barcelona with his father. The rest of his family his mother, Celia, his older brothers, Matias and Rodrigo, and his baby sister, Maria Sol were returning home to Rosario in Argentina. Leo was about to join the youth academy of the legendary soccer club, FC Barcelona. Those who loved the team called it by its nickname: Bara. Today, the Messi family was splitting up for what would be a long time.

A long line of passengers began boarding the plane to Argentina. Celia kissed her husband Jorge good-bye, fighting back tears. She did not know if she could bear being without her youngest son, Leo. FC Barcelona thought he was special and she was very proud of him. If only his grandmother could have witnessed this moment. It was Grandma Celia who started it all. She was the first one to see Leos talent.

The Messi family loved the beautiful game. And when Celia squeezed her husbands hand one last time before she boarded the plane, she remembered the soccer match they attended the day of their honeymoon. She turned from Jorge and hugged her son Leo, her eyes filling with the tears she could no longer hold back. Dont cry, Mama, Leo said.

Im sorry, Leo, she said. Im being silly.

No, youre not, Mama, Leo comforted. You just care about us.

They had waited a long time for word from Bara. For months she had worried the team was going to do what all the other teams had done walk away at the last minute. But instead they had chosen him and she was going home.

Well come home when the season is over, Mama, Leo comforted her, wiping her tears with his hand. I promise.

After months in Barcelona, hoping for Leos success on the FC Barcelona pitch, the team had finally committed to bringing the teenager into their Academy. It was bittersweet for Celia, Matias, Rodrigo, and even little Maria Sol. They were homesick for their country, Argentina, and their town, Rosario, and they understood that this was Leos chance to make his dreams come true and play professional soccer. But they loved Leo with all their hearts and would miss him terribly. He was only 13.

Jorge and Leo rode back to their hotel in silence. The Bara driver, Octavio, took a shortcut. Leo sat up front with him and enjoyed every minute of the ride. Jorge begged him to slow down in Argentinian Spanish and Octavio chuckled at the words he used. He was originally from Argentina and knew the difference between Argentine Spanish and Catalan, the Spanish spoken in Barcelona.

Did I say something funny? Jorge asked.

The words are different in Argentina and Catalan. Do not worry, Mr. Messi. Youll learn as time goes by.

The city of Barcelona was huge and beautiful compared to Rosario, with buildings that reached up into the sky. Leo watched the skyline flash by and Jorge watched Leo. Finally, Jorge said, I miss them already.

Me too, Leo said, his eyes glued to the scenery.

Are you going to be able to handle this? Alone in Barcelona?

I wont be alone, Papa. Ill have you and Ill have the team.

Jorge smiled, satisfied. That was one thing about Leo. He always managed. He wrapped an arm around his son and Leo leaned against him as he always did and closed his eyes. Before he dozed off, Leo thought about his dear hometown of Rosario, and how he got to Barcelona.

The Messi family gathered around their old kitchen table in Rosario, talking excitedly. Celia had put their fancy linen tablecloth on. There was a big homemade birthday cake in the middle with four candles on it. Today, Lionel Messi was 4 years old, but he was nowhere to be seen. He hid behind Matias and Rodrigo, his older brothers, embarrassed, as they all sang a birthday song to celebrate him. Leo did not like all the attention, but if he did not show his face soon, he knew he would not get any cake or his present. When it came time to blow out the candles, Rodrigo looked down at his baby brother and grinned, then shoved him forward. Go on, make a wish, Leo, he said.

Leo started to speak and Matias covered his mouth. Not out loud or it wont come true. Leo looked up at his older brother and nodded, then squeezed his eyes tight and made his wish, moving his lips. Jorge grinned.

That is when Grandma Celia walked into the room. When Leo finished, he opened his eyes and lit up when he saw his Grandma. She was hiding his birthday present behind her back. First, she brought out one of her hands, and it was empty. Then the other and Leo immediately saw what she was holding. Is this what you wished for, Leo? she asked.

Yes! Leo shouted with excitement as Grandma Celia tossed him a brand new soccer ball. How did she know? It was perfect: size 5 with blue pentagons. The classic ball. Blue was his favorite color, everyone in the family knew that. He tucked the ball under his arm and started to dart off toward the door to play in the streets, but Matias grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back. Whoa, Tiger! You can play later. Lets have some cake.

Leo looked up at his big brother and nodded as everyone around him laughed. He laughed too as his mom cheerfully cut the cake into big squares and passed the first piece to Leo. For the birthday boy, she said. Leo took the slice and munched it hungrily. It was sweet with raspberry and vanilla, just the way he liked it.

Later, Matias and Rodrigo went outside to play a game with their cousins. Leo stayed in the house. He rushed into the bedroom and peered out from under a shade at the street where his cousins and brothers played a pickup game of soccer. The potrero, the word for street in Rosario, was hot and dusty. Leo watched the boys intently, but was too shy to join them. He was much smaller than the others and figured as long as he was not among them, he could not be trampled.