Growing up under the boundless care and love of his grandmother Celia, Messi was very disappointed when she passed away in 1998. Therefore, it is not without reason that to this day, he still maintains a doubt. rituals: making the sign of the cross, kissing hands, and raising his index finger to the sky to celebrate goals throughout his professional career.

Because it’s very simple, this is how he remembers his beloved grandmother , the only person in both his extended family who believed that Messi would become a great football player. From the moment she saw her little grandchild playing and rolling with a ball on the beach near her house, Mrs. Celia (full name Celia Oliveira Cuccittini) saw the qualities of a big star.

Mrs. Celia saw her grandson’s special qualities from a young age

She felt that Leo was always different, different from his brothers Rodrigo and Matias – the people who taught him how to play football. It was she who first brought Leo to play at Grandoli, a football team in Rosario’s hometown. She told the boy: “Lionel, one day you will become the greatest player in the world.”

This is also where Messi took his first steps as a football player. Celia’s grandmother’s support was amazing. Not only did she convince Leo’s parents to buy him a pair of quality soccer shoes, but she also arrogantly told Coach Salvador Aparicio of the Grandoli Club at that time: “Put him on the field, he will save your team.” there”!

Leo and his first trophy in life at the age of 4

And, Aparicio was reluctant to put the 4-year-old left-footed little player on the field. Before that, he was only afraid that his opponent would hurt the boy. And finally, among players several years older than him, Leo scored two goals, bringing the final victory to the home team.

Messi himself said that after the match, his grandmother looked at the coach challengingly because she knew that her advice had paid off. With his strong personality and passion for football passed down from his grandmother Celia, Messi has had the glorious and illustrious career he has today.

“I had a very happy time, especially when I was with my grandmother. She not only understood but also wholeheartedly supported me and did everything for me. I love her very much. I miss her so much.

I wanted her to see what I had become. I always dedicate my goals to her. Until now, I always think, in Heaven, she must be very happy to see me now,” Messi once shared about his grandmother.

Little Leo next to his mother and grandmother

The evil Alzheimer’s disease prevented her from enjoying the happiness with Leo any longer. Mrs. Celia died in 1998, when little Leo was just over 10 years old and participating in a training course for young players at Newell’s Old Boys.

Because he missed his grandmother so much, little Leo made a bold decision: invited his best friend Diego Vallejos to leave home, walk for about 10 minutes, then hop on a bus and travel 20 km to the cemetery in the town of Villa Gobernador. Galvez, near Rosario, to visit his grandmother’s grave.

“We’re small, I’m a little taller than him. We wandered and walked through about 4 surrounding blocks and then took a car to the cemetery about 20 km away. It is the resting place of Celia’s grandmother. I see it as a new and exciting adventure. And Leo kept whimpering next to him because he missed his grandmother,” Diego later shared about the trip.

Messi and his childhood best friend, Diego Vallejos.

Because Diego had an uncle who lived in a town near Rosario, the two went to find this person to ask for directions and a bus route to the cemetery. And of course, they never told their parents their plans. Leo and Diego’s houses are only a few meters apart. Parents often go to the sidewalk to call their children when it’s time to go home to eat or do homework.

But that day, things were not as usual. Hours of tension passed and the two boys still did not come home. Both Leo and Diego’s families were panicked and scattered in search because they thought they had lost their children. When the two boys appeared covered in sweat and with disheveled clothes, there were reprimands for going away without asking permission.

Messi always celebrates like this to remember his grandmother

But when they heard Leo tell that he missed his grandmother so much that he secretly went to the cemetery to visit her, the whole family felt heartbroken. Everyone in the family understands what a special place grandmother has in little Leo’s heart. No one said anything more, Messi’s mother pulled him into her arms, hugged him tightly and comforted him, tears falling because she loved her child and missed her mother.

That is a memorable memory of little Leo’s life. And until now, Messi still celebrates by raising his hands in the air to commemorate his grandmother, who started his legendary career.

Messi is also very attached to his mother, Celia Maria

My close friend Diego Vallejos recalled: “I still remember the shocked, shocked faces of our family. Everyone is worried, restless and afraid of something bad happening. After that, I was detained for a while, not allowed to go more than 2 km from home. People always remember their childhood. Me too.

I often remember the trip of a lifetime with Leo. At that time, I couldn’t feel anything. Because we walk and face the unknown. But later we saw how special what we did was. Leo loves his grandmother very much, like his own sacred religion,” Diego shared more about Leo’s feelings for his grandmother Celia.