Messi subjected to death threats in his youth - Cousin
A cousin of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, has revealed that the multiple Balon d'Or award winner exhibited formidable soccer skills as a kid which saw him attract bully and even death threats from bigger kids. Maxi Biancucchi disclosed to Ole newspaper, that bigger kids who played against Messi weren't happy with the skills the Magician displays against them. Maxi said, "In the neighborhood he played with us, we were bigger than him, and they told us: 'Crazy, get him out because we are going to kill him. They wanted to hit him, but he put up with it." Maxi also added, "when he was eight or nine, I would get up early on Saturdays to watch him play and he'd do impressive things. I could not believe it.". Messi, 32, is regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, and has won a record six Balloon d'Or awards and six European Golden Shoes.