Lionel Messi is probably one of the most famous soccer players in the world. The Argentine professional soccer player just broke Gabriel Batistuta’s Argentina all-time top goal score. Messi scored goal 55, breaking Bastituta’s record of 54, during the Copa America Centenario during the semifinal against the U.S. Every young soccer player wants to be like Messi, especially the short ones, but he didn’t have it easy growing up, having been diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency when he was just 11 years old.
LIKE DailyVitamina.com on Facebook! Get Your Daily Vitamin…FOR LIFE!
“When I was 11 years old they discovered that I had a growth hormone deficiency and I had to start a treatment to help me grow. Every night I had to stick a needle into my legs, night after night after night, every day of the week, and this over a period of three years,” said Messi. He was always the smallest student in his class, and it wasn’t until he finished the treatment that he started to grow properly.
What Is A Growth Hormone Deficiency?
A growth hormone deficiency is a rare disorder that is caused by a deficiency of the growth hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland. A child is usually born a normal size, but as he starts growing, his parents may notice that he is not growing at the same speed as other children his age. In some cases the child may suffer from low blood sugar and even have a small penis. Children can also have delayed rates of the development of facial bones and lengthening of long bones, fine hair, and poor nail growth. Many times a child reaches puberty late or not at all.
Children that are diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency will be required to take injections every day. Some side-effects of the treatment can include headaches, muscle and joint aches, fluid retention and the slippage of the hip bones. As an adult, people with this hormonal deficiency can have weaker bones and are more prone to fractures.
Last month Messi suffered a back injury during a game, and he complained of intense pain of his lower back. His doctors were worried that he might have broken something, due to his condition. But, after running several tests, they were happy to learn that it was just inflammation around the ribcage and no broken bones, which could potentially put a halt on his career. Messi is admired by so many because of everything he’s accomplished and he’s only 29!
We can’t wait to see the finale this Sunday with Argentina vs Chile. Who are you rooting for?