The little Messi of Mattathur (in Argentine jersey) who has a striking resemblance to the childhood picture of the original MessiThrissur: Argentina is religion for Vinu. He has been following the faith for the last 27 years. In the tradition of the deeply devout, Vinu recently named his son after the presiding deity of his faith: Messi. And by some strange quirk of fate, which Vinu attributes to the handiwork of his 'gods', his little Messi resembles the childhood pictures of football legend Lionel Messi.
The baptism of the child also had an Argentine flavour. Everything related to the ceremony, from the cake to the decorations, had the colour of the Argentina jersey.
The football-shaped cake with the white and blue colours of Argentina that was cut for the baptism of Messi Thuluvathu at Mattathur in ThrissurThe ceremony was all immersed in blue and white colours. The invitation card also sported the same hues. The cake cut at the ceremony had the shape of a football in blue and white. The awning, decorations and even the table cloth reflected the same colours. Also, the covers for chairs, decorative flowers, balloons and the food counter were all similar to the Argentina flag.
Little Messi is the second child of Vinu and Anu of Thuluvathu house, at Kodali near Mattathur. Vinu has been a totally dedicated fan of the Argentina football team since 1990. When his son was born, he had no doubts about what he should be called. Messi J Thuluvathu is his full name. Vinu also ensures that his Messi always wears the Argentine jersey.
While the young Messi of Mattathur was born in a family of football fans, the original Lionel Messi hailed from a family of players. The real Messi’s father and mother had no family tradition of football, but were admirers of the game. George was a steel worker in a factory and Celia, a part-time cleaning worker. However, two of Lionel Messi’s elder brothers – Rodrigo and Mathias – took up the game in earnest and became professional footballers. Little Messi learnt the first steps of the game from his elder brothers. His half-brothers Maximilano and Immanuel Bianochi also joined the little lad in the games. Their father was the first coach. He noticed that little Messi matched his elder brothers, who were much older to him, in football skills. They realized that he was a prodigy and took him at the young age of four to the local club, Grandoli.
During his trips to the club, Messi was always accompanied by his grandmother. Messi later became desolate when his grandmother passed away when he was barely 11 years old. However, Messi remembers his grandma even after becoming one of the biggest stars of the game. After each goal he scores, Messi raises his hands and gazes at the heavens as a sign of thanksgiving to his caring grandmother.
An old picture of Lionel Messi as a toddler