Analyse
Messi’s 2017 autobiographical documentary confirms he moved to Barcelona at 13 (2000) to join La Masia and struggled with homesickness, a well-documented part of his early career. However, the *specific* detail of crying 'every night for a year' originates from the film’s narrative framing, which blends personal testimony with cinematic storytelling. While Messi has spoken emotionally about his early isolation (e.g., in interviews with *Marca* and *FC Barcelona*), no independent sources corroborate the precise frequency or duration of his tears. The core emotional truth aligns with his biography, but the hyperbolic phrasing risks oversimplification.
Achtergrond
Lionel Messi relocated from Rosario, Argentina, to Barcelona in 2000 after FC Barcelona offered to cover his growth hormone treatment, which his family struggled to afford. His early years in Spain were marked by cultural adjustment and separation from his family, who initially remained in Argentina. The 2017 documentary *Messi* uses dramatic license to emphasize his resilience, a common trope in sports biopics.
Samenvatting verdict
Messi did move to Spain at 13 and faced homesickness, but the *exact* claim about crying 'every night for a year' is unverified and likely exaggerated for dramatic effect in the documentary.