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Footballers live a life that many of us can only dream of. Their wages, cars, luxuries, endorsements, lifestyles and most importantly sporting success always catch the eye. But not many are aware of the fact that many of these superstars also had humble beginnings.
There are numerous great footballers in the world at the moment who didn't have a decent start to life and had to overcome adversity to reach where they are today. Their success stories are huge proof that with consistency, determination and hard work, one could reach any height in this world.
The lives of these players will serve as a source of inspiration to many, encouraging them not to give up on their dreams and keep moving no matter what. Below, we highlight five of them.
#5 Ricardo Kaka
Ricardo Kaka enjoyed a fabulous career at the top of the game, representing elite clubs like AC Milan and Real Madrid. The Brazilian was one of the finest attacking midfielders of his era, with a record of 161 goals and 147 assists to his name in 529 games.
Kaka was the last footballer to win the coveted Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year award before the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo began. The playmaker also claimed every major prize in the sport, including the World Cup Champions League, Serie A and many other accolades.
However, all that wouldn't have been possible had he not miraculously overcome a spinal fracture during his youth days at Sao Paolo. The Brazilian's career was feared over as he injured himself in a pool when he visited his grandparents in 2000.
As Kaka himself revealed, he was told that he could've been paralyzed but ultimately turned the situation around and returned to the pitch a year later. He became a World Cup winner in 2002 as Brazil beat Germany to claim the trophy.
#4 Luka Modric
The last footballer other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or, Luka Modric has enjoyed a successful career at both club and international levels. However, he had to overcome an ugly situation in his early life before rising to stardom.
The midfielder was forced to flee his home in Yugoslavia due to Croatia's intense independence war. He grew up as a refugee in his own land and had to endure the horrors of the war. Modric, however, kept believing in his dreams. He was later granted an opportunity to feature in NK Zadar's youth setup and the rest, they say, is history.
#3 Ronaldinho
A footballer who easily won the hearts of fans in his prime, Ronaldinho grew up in a very difficult surroundings in the Southern part of Brazil. His family moved to a more upscale area when his brother was signed by Gremio.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck and he lost his father to a heart attack at just eight-years-old. The midfielder had to endure physical and emotional trauma, later joining Gremio's youth team to get his career underway.
The Brazilian progressed through the ranks and was signed by Paris Saint-Germain in 2001. He moved to Barcelona just two years later and established himself as one of the best footballers in the world. Ronaldinho enjoyed a very successful career, winning the Ballon d'Or, the World Cup, Champions League and other honors.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo spent his early years overcoming a plethora of challenges on the Portuguese island of Madeira. He left for Lisbon at just 12-years-old with the determination to make it as a footballer. However, things soon turned sour for the current Manchester United attacker.
He was expelled from school for throwing a chair at a teacher he accused of disrespecting him. Ronaldo was later diagnosed with a 'racing heart' and had to undergo surgery.
Despite the challenges, Cristiano Ronaldo kept his head up and progressed through the youth ranks at Sporting Lisbon. He joined Manchester United in 2003 and has since moved forward to ink his name among the greatest footballers in history.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at just 10 years of age, which required expensive treatment his family couldn't afford. With no club willing to pay for his treatment in Argentina, the family moved to Spain to help their child realize his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Barcelona decided to lend a helping hand after Messi impressed them with his talent. The Blaugrana covered the cost of his treatment and gave him a chance at the club. Mysteriously, his first contract was signed on a napkin.
Fast-forward 21 years and the Argentine has established himself as the greatest player in the club's history. He bagged a whopping 672 goals and 301 assists for the Catalan giants in 778 appearances, leading them to claim 35 trophies before leaving for PSG this summer.
