5 unknown things about Lionel Messi

Whenever you think of Lionel Messi, it is natural to run out of superlatives to describe how good he is. Being in a league of his own, La Pulga has continued to mesmerize football lovers for the past decade with his exquisite dribbling and passing skills. Also, even though he is now 30, the four-time Champions League winner has showed no signs of slowing down.

Over the years, Lionel Messi has turned into a global superstar and won numerous trophies under the likes of Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique at Barcelona.

Thanks to his achievements on the pitch, he enjoys a fan following of millions around the globe. As for us commoners, a possible insight into the life this legend isn't something that we would deny, would we?

That being said, let's have a glimpse of 5 such things about the Argentinian that might be unknown even to the best of his fans:

#5 A law that bans his name

Image result for lionel messi name banned — Lionel Messi's name has been banned in Rosario

Lionel Messi is one of football's greatest players ever and it is but natural for his countrymen to name their children after him. However, a law was passed in Rosario, back in 2014, that banned people from naming their kids after him.

Apparently, when Hector Varela, an Argentine parent decided to name his son after Messi, he faced opposition from the officials in the town. Varela used 'Messi' as his son's first name even though he was aware that it is a surname. He christened his son as 'Messi Daniel Varela', inviting discontent from the officials in Rosario.

In the aftermath, the officials banned all parents from using the Argentinian's name in order to avoid mass confusion and also to protect the identity of the town's favourite son.

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Published 26 Jan 2018, 15:20 IST