QUOTE FROM MARADONA ON LIONEL MESSI ; "I see him as very similar to me. He's a leader and is offering lessons in beautiful football*

Definition of hard work for achievers is that something which challenges you. And why is challenge important? Why not just do what’s easiest .Most people will do what’s easiest and avoid hard work — and that’s precisely why you should do the opposite. Champions thrive on challenges and look forward for enhanced opportunities. One such young boy Lionel Messi of Argentina, started soccer at age of five. At the age of 8, he was recruited to join the youth system of Newell's Old Boys. Recognizably smaller than most of the kids in his age group, Messi used to work very hard. Messi moved quickly through the junior system ranks, and by the age of 16, he had made his first appearance for Barcelona. Messi put himself in the record books on May 1, 2005, as the youngest player to ever score a goal for the franchise. Messi ‘s speed and relentless attacking style, he drew comparisons to another famous Argentinean footballer: Diego Maradona. Messi steered Barcelona to a wealth of success, captured the Champions League, La Liga, and Spanish Super Cup titles. That same year, after two consecutive runner-up finishes, he took home his first FIFA "World Player of the Year" honor/Ballon d'Or award. Amazingly, the diminutive soccer wizard continued to improve, discovering new ways to score goals while leading Barcelona to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as the '11 Champions League title. In 2012, he set a record for most goals in a calendar year, and afterward was named FIFA's "Player of the Year" a record fourth time. Messi embarked on an all-out assault on the record books in 2012. He became the first player to surpass Cesar Rodriguez's club-record 232 goals to become Barcelona's all-time leading scorer. By the end of 2012, Messi had accumulated an astounding 91 goals in club and international play, eclipsing the 85 netted in a single calendar year by Gerd Muller in 1972. Fittingly, he broke one more record when he was named the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner for the fourth time in January 2013. Messi led team Argentina to the finals of the 2014 World Cup. Although his team lost to Germany, he was named best player of the tournament. Quote by Lionel Messi sums up his philosophy towards life * You have to fight to reach to your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.*