Name: Lionel Andrés Messi

Age: 21

Club: FC Barcelona

National team: Argentina

Honors: * Golden Ball: FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2005
* Golden Boot: FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2005
* Bravo Award: 2007
* World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2006, 2007
* Olimpia de Plata: Argentinian Player of the Year: 2005
* FIFPro World Young Player of the Year: 2006
* FIFPro World XI: 2007
* EFE Trophy: Best Ibero-American Player in La Liga: 2006-2007
* Best foreign player in La Liga: 2007
* Copa America Best Young Player: 2007
* World Soccer Footballer of the Year:
o 2nd place: 2007
* FIFA World Player of the Year:
o 2nd place: 2007
* SI Latino’s 2007 Sportsman of the Year: 2007

Interesting fact: At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. River Plate showed interest in Messi’s progress, but did not have enough money to pay for the treatment of the illness that cost over £500 a month. Carles Rexach, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, was made aware of Messi’s talent, and Barcelona signed him after watching him play, offering to pay for the medical bills if he was willing to move to start a new life in Spain.

Thank you, Spain!

You reminded us that soccer played on the ground with purpose and technique can still make you a winner.

You reminded us that you can also win by staying true to your style.

Spain made history Sunday, winning the 2008 European Championship, its first major trophy in 44 years.

This was not the defensive approach that Greece produced to win a title in 2004. This was free-flowing soccer that put an emphasis on the subtle techniques of the game.

This was artistry, Spanish style.

Spain’s lone goal, via Fernando Torres in the 33rd minute, dealt the Germans a crushing mental blow.

Hesitation between German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and defender Philip Lahm enabled Torres to nip in and score what would be the difference-maker.

“Maybe it was a mistake by Lahm,” Torres said. “Maybe it was the most important mistake in his career. For me, it was a beautiful mistake.”

It also set the stage for another great lesson from the Spaniards that was there for the world to see.

The Spanish “passing machine” continued to attack and did not fall back and defend like we see so many teams do on the professional stage these days.

Through their artistic possession, passing and movement, they slowly sucked the life out of the Germans, who could not match Spain’s level.

“We were chasing the ball all the time; it made us very tired” said Germany’s Thomas Hitzlesperger. “They deserved to win the game.”

Belief in 69-year-old coach Luis Aragonés and in the way they play…….for more on this story, check out chron.com

Catch the podcast of last night’s DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS by going to 790thesportsanimal.com
click podcasts , click Glenn Davis. Dynamo team president Oliver Luck is interviewed along with star midfielder RICARDO CLARK and REAL SALT LAKE’s goalkeeper NICK RIMANDO.
Dynamo midfielder BRAD DAVIS weighs in on competing against RONALDINHO, DECO, LIONEL MESSI AND FERNANDO TORRES this Saturday night in the FREE KICK MASTERS skills competition at RELIANT STADIUM.
DYNAMO in Superliga this month against ATLANTE and CHIVAS at ROBERTSON STADIUM……