A Brazilian paper claims Lionel Messi was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism, at the age of 8.
In football history, Lionel Messi is unquestionably one of the greatest if not THE greatest of all time. This little magician from Argentina is renowned for his incredible ability to manipulate the ball on the pitch which often defies physics.
The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner boasts feats that need no introduction. However, there’s a lesser-known aspect of his life, which revolves around the claim that this footballing genius was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism, at the age of eight.
What Is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Asperger’s Syndrome is a part of the autism spectrum. Difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and intense focus on specific interests are some of its common characteristics. There are several reports online, most notably by a Brazilian paper Diário do Centro do Mundo that claims Messi was diagnosed with this condition during his childhood years in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
Leo Messi’s ability to consistently perform under pressure at an elite level week in and week out for the last 20 years is one of the most amazing features of his splendid career. Those who advocate Asperger’s narrative suggest that his extraordinary memory and pattern recognition skills enable him to foresee his opponents’ moves, helping him to perfectly dictate the flow of the game at his own pace as well as execute his devastating offensive moves with absolute precision.
Messi often follows familiar patterns on a football pitch, that usually revolves around his passing, dribbling, and shooting techniques. This aligns with the repetitive behaviors that tend to be associated with Asperger’s.
Is Lionel Messi Autistic?
Lots of experts have had a say in whether or not Lionel Messi is genuinely autistic. Nilton Vitulli is a member of the NGO Autism and Reality. He compares Leo’s play to the repetitive yet perfect execution of a master surfer, Clay Marzo. Unlike Messi, however, Marzo has publicly acknowledged living life on the edge between Asperger’s syndrome and full-blown autism.
Vitulli explains Messi’s fixation on performing the same familiar patterns over and over again with such perfection as an indicative of this autistic mind.
Messi carries a reserved and often aloof personality whenever he’s seen on social occasions, which has further fueled the possibility of him having autism. Fans note how he feels uncomfortable in huge crowds. Likewise, he does not seem to be fond of extended conversations and seemingly prefers solitude. All of these are traits that are common in people with Asperger’s.
Giselle Zambiazzi, president of AMA Brusque and mother of a child with Asperger’s, tries to relate the behavior of her autistic son to Lionel Messi. She points out Messi’s intense focus, the reluctance to direct eye contact, as well as his simplistic approach to life despite the complications that are often brought upon by fame and fortune.
While Messi’s autism diagnosis is not officially confirmed, it’s worth noting that this supposed condition has definitely played a huge role in shaping his glittering career. Besides his obvious gifted, otherworldly natural talent, Messi boasts relentless drive, rarely ever feels pressure, and his focus is unparalleled despite his nonchalant attitude.
Therefore, you could argue Lionel Messi’s story is not just about his footballing ability, it’s also about the unique neurological traits that turned him into the GOAT, achieving an unmatched level of admiration in the eyes of most football fans today.
