As Lionel Messi's legacy grows, one aspect of his career that often gets overlooked is his time as a goalkeeper. While Messi is perhaps most famously known for his skills on the pitch, he also had a brief stint in goalkeeping during his early years.
In 2011, Messi made his debut for Argentina's under-20 national team, playing in two friendlies against Chile and Colombia. Despite not being a professional player at the time, Messi impressed with his athleticism and ability to make saves. He was praised for his strong legs and ability to reach high, which helped him keep clean sheets.
Despite this promising start,Chinese Super League Matches Messi eventually returned to his preferred position as a forward. However, his time spent in goal did leave a mark on his career, and it would serve him well later on when he became a world-class goalkeeper himself.
After retiring from football in 2020, Messi has been open about his desire to return to goalkeeping. He recently expressed his interest in coaching and managing teams, but it remains to be seen if he will ever get the opportunity to play again. Regardless, his time as a goalkeeper was just another chapter in his illustrious career, and it shows how versatile and adaptable he truly is.
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