<P> A lifelong supporter of Newell 's Old Boys , Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old . During the six years he played for Newell 's , he scored almost 500 goals as a member of `` The Machine of ' 87 '' , the near - unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth , and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half - time of the first team 's home games . However , his future as a professional player was threatened when , at age 10 , he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency . As his father 's health insurance covered only two years of growth hormone treatment , which cost at least $ 1,000 per month , Newell 's agreed to contribute , but later reneged on their promise . He was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate , whose playmaker , Pablo Aimar , he idolised , but they were also unable to pay for his treatment due to the country 's economic collapse . </P>
<P> A lifelong supporter of Newell 's Old Boys , Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old . During the six years he played for Newell 's , he scored almost 500 goals as a member of `` The Machine of ' 87 '' , the near - unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth , and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half - time of the first team 's home games . However , his future as a professional player was threatened when , at age 10 , he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency . As his father 's health insurance covered only two years of growth hormone treatment , which cost at least $ 1,000 per month , Newell 's agreed to contribute , but later reneged on their promise . He was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate , whose playmaker , Pablo Aimar , he idolised , but they were also unable to pay for his treatment due to the country 's economic collapse . </P>
when did lionel messi score his first goal
when did lionel messi score his first goal
six years old
six years old