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Whenever the name Kelechi Iheanacho is mentioned in football circle, what people visualise is a young man who was fortunate to find himself in soccer hall of fame. However his story is not as easy as many thought. His struggle in life has been described as topsy turvy by close friends and allies. As a youth, Iheanacho represented Taye Academy in Owerri. His performances for Nigeria in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup led to interest from clubs in Europe. Teams following his progress included Arsenal, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Porto. In December 2013, Iheanacho travelled to England to discuss a move to Manchester City where he signed a pre-contract agreement with the club, stating his intent to formally sign for Manchester City on his 18th birthday in October 2014. In the interim, he returned to Nigeria. As the year drew to a close, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) named him the Most Promising Talent of the Year for 2013 during the CAF Awards. But just how much do you kn...

Lionel Messi, with Five Ballon d’Or awards to his name (formerly FIFA World Player of the Year), is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. His ball skills are second to none and is known for his lethal runs from midfield as well as his quick and dangerous left foot shots. Childhood and Family Born 24 June 1987, the Argentinian’s football career started in 1995 at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina. The young footballer showed great promise, however, a hormonal problem that affected his growth was a serious concern for his family and future in football. Messi’s parents were not able to afford the expensive treatment for their son, and even the wealthiest Argentine teams were not willing to foot the bill for the young boy. Early Life At age 13, Lionel Messi crossed the Atlantic to try his luck in Barcelona. After his first trial, the Catalan scouts had seen enough. They signed Messi to play for the Barcelona Under 14s and offered to pay for his...