Enrique Dominguez, who coached Lionel Messi as a child at Newell’s Old Boys youth academy in Rosario, retired prematurely at the age of 45, citing Messi’s exceptional football talent as a key reason for his early departure [1, 2]. Dominguez said, “One day someone asked me, ‘What do you recognize of your teaching when you see Leo play’? Nothing, because there was nothing to teach him. He knew everything already. What Leo does on the field today he was already doing at the age of 12” [1].
Messi was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, as the third of four children in the working-class neighborhood of La Bajada [1, 2]. His childhood home has since become a pilgrimage site for football enthusiasts, adorned with murals and flags, including a Colombian flag carrying a message of gratitude [1, 2].
Walter Barrera, one of Messi’s childhood friends, recalled that the neighborhood boys were often unruly but not bad kids. They played various sports and took shortcuts across military bases in their youth [1]. Barrera said, “We knew he’d go far, he was an ace (at football)” [1].
Known as “La Pulga” or “The Flea” for his short stature and lightning-fast footwork, Messi showed remarkable skill from the age of five [1, 2]. At Newell’s Old Boys’ Malvinas Argentinas youth academy where Dominguez coached, Messi’s technical abilities stood out early on [1, 2].
Another youth coach at Newell’s, Adrian Coria, recalled the financial hardships Messi’s family faced during his childhood, highlighting the challenges behind the superstar’s rise [1, 2].
Dominguez’s decision to retire soon after coaching Messi reflects the coach’s view that Messi had already mastered the game at a young age [1, 2]. Messi is now preparing to play in his sixth World Cup tournament representing Argentina in 2026 [1, 2].