At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Local powerhouse River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay for treatment for his condition, which cost $900 a month. Carles Rexach, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, had been made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Lleida, Catalonia, and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial.Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered Messi a contract written on a paper napkin. Barcelona offered to pay for Messi's medical bills if he was willing to move to Spain. Messi and his father moved to Barcelona where Messi enrolled in the club's youth academy. Source: Wikipedia
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Leonel Messi came to FC Barcelona when he was very young because Barcelona spotted his talent, and was among the only teams that could afford the medicine for his hormone deficiency, without which, he would be even shorter than he already is.
He plays for Barcelona because they were the only team that gave him the medicine he needed when no one else would.