BUENOS AIRES: Everyone in Rosario has a tale to tell about Lionel Messi, the Argentinian city’s most famous son who rivals Pope Francis as a national icon.
Messi’s link to the city has made the people of the port city doubly nervous about today’s World Cup final when their country take on Germany in Rio de Janeiro. The Barcelona striker has only scored four goals in the tournament so far.
“I hope that Messi becomes his old self again Sunday and hits a goal,” said Monica Domina who once taught the football genius.
Domina admitted she knows little about football, but she is still “anxious” about today’s match.
Taxi driver Daniel Rodriguez is able to point out Messi’s former home in a working class district away from central Rosario. “Everyone else is second class,” he said.
“My grandson went to the same school as Messi and still remembers the little boy with his ball who everyone chased and none could catch,” said 80-year-old Elsa Uhrig.
Messi is not the only Argentina player from Rosario. Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez also played for Newell’s Old Boys. While Angel di Maria, Ezequiel Garay and Ezequiel Lavezzi were at Rosario Central.
But the city on the Parana river clings to the superstar football, four time winner of the world player of the year, even though he left the city at the age of 11. His father lost his job as a steelworker and Barcelona paid for the $900 a month cost for growth hormones to treat his rare condition.AFP
