A Secret Nickname Messi Had as a Kid Finally Revealed
11 December 2025
A Secret Nickname from Messi's Early Days
Argentine star Lionel Messi, now synonymous with football brilliance, carried many nicknames as he rose through the ranks. Hernán Galindez, the Rosario Central goalkeeper who faced a young Messi, recently shed light on one that predates his global fame.
Galindez recalls Messi as a rising talent from Newell's Old Boys in Rosario. The nickname circulating among locals described him as the red-haired kid wearing the number 10, a moniker that followed him as his talent blossomed.
"We met several times when I was a young goalkeeper at Rosario Central," Galindez told ESPN. "People used to call him the red-haired one who wore number 10."
He added that every time the nickname was heard, it reminded fans that they were trailing by three goals—Messi's presence was a signal of trouble for opposing sides. The keeper emphasized Messi's ball control and skill for his age, noting clips showing him weaving through defenders with ease.
Messi spent the majority of his career with Barcelona, moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and joined Inter Miami in 2023 on a free transfer. He recently renewed his contract with Inter Miami through 2028, keeping him in American soccer a while longer.
Messi's early journey began close to home in Argentina, with ties to Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central before conquering European stages and then crossing the Atlantic to the MLS. And now for a couple of light quips to close: sometimes the hair is the first thing people notice, but the feet are what leave the impression.
Punchline 1: If patience is a virtue, Messi has a PhD—while my resume still lists "works well under pressure" as a hobby.
Punchline 2: He can dribble through crowds; I can barely maneuver a grocery aisle without knocking something over.
