Messi

Argentina's son, a lineage to immigrants shaped by boyhood aspirations diminutive left foot striker taunted "dwarf" in childhood his growth hormone deficiency overcome through meds and workouts a counter to foes physically imposing Messi's daily slog of skills agility and balance slow grind of mastery to mesh the skills to speed on the football field, Messi dribbles through opponents pivots round defenders, takes an opposite direction accelerates de-accelerates takes stock of field positions awareness like a lordly hawk that calculates its prey a kick triggered whittles through the air the ball's stinging centre, flight controlled at a goal keeper spiralling to the ground this FIFA World Cup champion devout in faith celebrates goals by a gaze upward a pointed hand to the heavens another field of his embracing 790 - Messi's career goals for Barcelona clubs and Argentinean glory football awards that roll on like credits on a movie screen on field moves that burrow into memory through the entanglement of limbs Messi's footwork, like a dancer's gift his sprints to fill the field with unheeding power midst the bulging roar of fans a homage to glorify the footballer before he fades to legend Poem written January 4, 2023