Sports
Messi signed contract on paper napkin, says Barca ex-official
Barcelona, Oct 18
Charly Rexach, the man who helped Barcelona discover Lionel Messi, has said he made the star footballer sign the contract on a paper napkin when he was just 12 years old because he knew he was too talented to let slip.
Rexach was a Barcelona executive in 2000 when he met Messi. Rexach himself played for Barca between 1966-81.
"His father felt that things were not all too clear and told me they would leave," he was quoted as saying by ESPN.
"It was then I decided [to sign him] on the fly. Once in Barcelona I decided to sign him on a paper napkin that a waiter gave me because I couldn't let him get away," he added.
Messi was recently presented with the European Golden Shoe for the sixth time. He was the recipient of the award as he scored the most league goals across Europe's top division, by scoring 36 goals in 34 league appearances between 2018 and 2019.
Messi was presented with the Golden Shoe at a ceremony here, where his sons Thiago and Mateo handed him the latest trophy.
Rexach was a Barcelona executive in 2000 when he met Messi. Rexach himself played for Barca between 1966-81.
"His father felt that things were not all too clear and told me they would leave," he was quoted as saying by ESPN.
"It was then I decided [to sign him] on the fly. Once in Barcelona I decided to sign him on a paper napkin that a waiter gave me because I couldn't let him get away," he added.
Messi was recently presented with the European Golden Shoe for the sixth time. He was the recipient of the award as he scored the most league goals across Europe's top division, by scoring 36 goals in 34 league appearances between 2018 and 2019.
Messi was presented with the Golden Shoe at a ceremony here, where his sons Thiago and Mateo handed him the latest trophy.
1 hour ago
India pays respects at funeral ceremony of former Iran Supreme leader Khamenei
1 hour ago
AAPI & Reliance Foundation: A New Dawn for Indo‑American Health Collaboration
1 hour ago
Indian Overseas Congress USA Vice-Chair George Abraham Congratulates the United States on Its 250th Anniversary
1 hour ago
Senior Iranian, foreign officials attend tribute ceremony of Iran's late supreme leader
1 hour ago
Trump marks US Declaration's 250th anniversary
1 hour ago
Trump reflects on former US Presidents in Usha Vance's podcast
1 hour ago
France withdraws carrier Charles de Gaulle as US-Iran tensions ease
1 hour ago
US revises Independence Day celebrations amid heat advisory; Trump's address, fireworks to proceed
1 hour ago
Venezuela quake death toll rises to 2,645
1 hour ago
PM Modi to inaugurate CG Semi OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat eyes leadership in semiconductor manufacturing
1 hour ago
Centre to seek explanation from Meta over Instagram ads linked to child sexual abuse
1 hour ago
CMFRI identifies new fish species in Arabian Sea
1 hour ago
PM Modi to launch Gujarat's new chip facility as India accelerates semiconductor manufacturing push
