"How Lionel Messi Helped My 8 Years Old Son Who Was Diagnosed With Growth Hormone Deficiency"- Argentine Mom Shares Touching Testimony

Barbie, a mother from Argentina, has talked about how Lionel Messi helped her then-8-year-old son Tommy through a difficult time in his life.

When Tommy was eight years old, he was given the same diagnosis as Messi: Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). Barbie helped Tommy by attracting equals to Messi, trusting that it would invigorate him.

Her story, which was first posted on Instagram and was translated by @JimenaJuani on Twitter, began:

“I bought a poster of Messi; we put it on his bedroom wall. We told him that he would do the same treatment as his idol. And for him to see that it was not an impediment for Lionel to fulfill his dreams. I knew that this would do my son good.”

In 2010, Barbie contacted Messi's father Jorge, and the forward for Barcelona at the time was pleased to meet Tommy.

Messi, who had to take growth hormones for a long time, talked a lot about the GHD treatment with Tommy, telling him if it hurt and where the injections went. Additionally, he reassured young Tommy that nothing would go wrong.

“Messi told him that he sometimes used to be teased as “pulga”, that sometimes he wanted to be a giant. But being small had its advantages, (you could be) more skilful and quick,” Barbie added.“At your age, I was the same size as you.”

Tommy is the same height as his idol Lionel Messi and has grown up in good health. Barbie, his empathetic mother, concluded by expressing her gratitude to the superstar for having that conversation with her son:

“For all this, I prayed that on Sunday Messi would win the World Cup. I will be eternally grateful for that talk with my son. Thank you Messi, you are giant. Barbie, Tommy’s mom,” her post concluded.