The report says Leo was diagnosed at three after consultations with a general practitioner, paediatricians and an endocrinologist. His father says Messi’s story has become a familiar source of encouragement at home, helped by a children’s book about the Argentine’s life.
For Leo, Messi is not only a football icon. He is someone who was also smaller than many of his peers and still built an extraordinary career.
The family’s experience has included the practical challenge of accessing medication. Growth hormone deficiency can require regular synthetic hormone injections, with treatment often continuing through puberty, although doctors may later reassess the need for it.
A paediatric endocrinologist quoted in the report says weekly treatment is also available. The account says Leo’s family benefited from Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, while Liam has heard of families elsewhere facing much greater barriers with insurance and coverage.
That contrast has made Messi’s own early journey even more meaningful. In Argentina, his treatment was reportedly not subsidised, forcing his family to confront difficult financial choices.
Messi began developing at Newell’s Old Boys before leaving Argentina for Barcelona at 13. The Catalan club reportedly agreed to cover his treatment, helping make the move possible.
Before then, endocrinologist Diego Schwarzstein is said to have reassured him: “Você será mais alto que Maradona.” The prediction became part of a childhood story in which medical uncertainty, family sacrifice and football ambition were tightly connected.
Messi’s route was not effortless. The report says he missed training because of dizziness after injections, suffered an injury in a youth friendly and briefly returned to Argentina. His eventual success makes the journey inspiring precisely because it included setbacks.
Leo is now beginning preparatory school, training twice a week with a neighbour and looking for a club. The next chapter will be his own: not copying Messi, but discovering how far his football can take him.