Lionel Messi accomplished 16 records, 695 club, and 91 international goals, to become one of the world’s greatest soccer players. Despite his hard work and talents  the champion had to overcome a serious health condition and poor diet to reach the top.
Diagnosed With Growth Hormone Disorder
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi loved playing soccer, the favorite sport of his South American homeland. However, being the shortest player for his age in the local club dashed any hopes of professional success.
At puberty Messi was just over four feet tall—a far cry from the average six foot tall soccer players.
Messi was 9 years old when Diego Schwartzstein, M.D. diagnosed him with a rare disease called growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The condition, also known as dwarfism or pituitary dwarfism, occurs when the pituitary gland produces insufficient amounts of growth hormone, and leads to impaired height and physical development….