Sport

Happy Birthday, Lionel Messi: Read Why He’s Called ‘The Flea’

June 24, 2022
Bharat Times

Lionel Messi, The little magician who turns 35 today (June 24) is often called ‘The Goat’, ‘The Magician’ and many other names, but to some he is ‘The Flea’. Almost every player in the world (the great) has a nickname, Cristiano Ronaldo is known as ‘El Bicho’ in Spain due to his physical fitness and leadership qualities. Similarly, Messi is also known in the country as ‘La Pulga’, which has a very interesting reason behind it.

‘La Pulga’, which means ‘the Flea’ in Spanish, is one of the most famous surnames of Leo Messi. According to Lakshya, it is believed that Messi’s elder brother used to call him by this name since childhood. It all started with ‘La Pulgita’ which means ‘little flea’ which later became ‘La Pulga’ (The Flea).

The seven-time Ballon d’Or holder was not the eldest child in the park as a child and his small appearance earned him the name. Notably, Messi had a developmental disorder which was treated after signing for FC Barcelona as a child and the club helped pay for his treatment.

Some Spanish media also referred to the former Barca man as ‘La Pulga Atmica’, meaning ‘the nuclear flea’, because of his quick pace and dribbling skills against defenders.