Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of his generation. He developed a passion for soccer from a young age, playing constantly with his brothers. At age 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but continued playing soccer and impressing coaches with his skills. After sending a video of himself juggling oranges to FC Barcelona, he earned a tryout with the team. Despite initially facing bullying from teammates, Messi scored 5 goals, convincing Barcelona to pay for his medical treatment and move his family to Spain. Though he stopped growing at 5'7", Messi became one of the biggest stars in world soccer, demonstrating how following one's dreams and passions can lead to success.

1. Prepared Speech:
THE SOCCER LEGEND
by Ramiza Prasca Kuntadi
July 29th, 2017
Achievers Gavel Club, an affiliate of
Toastmasters International

2. Opening
 Many people dream to be famous. They like to see famous people live in a
luxury life, for example: they live in a mansion, drive exotic cars, go to cool
places and so on. But many of us ignore to see is how those famous people
work hard to develop their talents and overcome obstacles before getting
famous.
 So today, I’m delivering a speech about a famous soccer player in this
generation.

3. The Legend
 The famous person that I’m about to tell you is Lionel Andres Messi, or many
people called him Leo. He was born in Rosario, Argentina on 24th June 1987.
 He developed a passion for soccer from an early age, playing constantly with
his older brothers. However, his first influence as a soccer player was his
grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches. He now
celebrates goals by pointing to the sky in tribute to her.
 At 4 years old, Leo joined a local club, Grandoli, where he met his first
coach, Salvador Aparicio.
 At 6 years old, Leo joined a local youth team, Newell’s Old Boys. Since then,
his reputation as a soccer wizard grew. Kids started calling him “The Maestro”
because he was like a brilliant music conductor when he had the ball. No one
could take the ball away if he refused to give it up.

4. The Legend (cont.)
 When he was 11 years old, Leo’s parents realized that he had a problem with
a Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). It means, he had stop growing and need
to start treatments if he didn’t want to stay stuck in the same height for the
rest of his life.
 Night after night before going to sleep, Leo had growth hormone injections in
his legs. The treatments seemed to be working. He began to grow. But his
parents had trouble paying for his medicine. Leo’s soccer club agreed to help,
but couldn’t afford to cover all his medical bills.
 Finally a team in Spain called FC Barcelona, had heard about the soccer
playing sensation from Argentina, and they were eager to see him in person.
If Leo could only convince them to let him join the team, they would cover
the cost of his hormone treatments.

5. The Legend (cont.)
 He sent a video filmed himself juggling oranges with his feet like they were
soccer balls and sent it to the FC Barcelona office in Spain. The team officials
were so impressed with Leo’s skills that they offered him a tryout.
 Finally he arrived in Buenos Aires, Spain. On his first day of practice, Leo was
nervous. He wouldn’t go to the locker room. He changed into his soccer
uniform at the hallway. When he finally worked up his courage to go inside
the locker room and meet his teammates, they called him names, such as:
“Midget” or “The Flea.” But when Leo started to play soccer, he started to
feel more comfortable. He scored 5 goals, dazzling the FC Barcelona coaches
with his speed and foot skills. From then on, no one called him names.
 The FC Barcelona official were so impressed by Leo’s play that they offered to
pay for his hormone treatments and move his entire family to Spain. They
would even drew up a contracted on a paper napkin, to snatch him up before
other team did. Leo had to continue with his growth hormone therapy and
kept growing at a normal rate. Though he topped out at only 5 feet 7 inches
tall, Leo had become one of the biggest soccer stars in the world.

6. Takeaway
 The conclusion of my speech: the story teaches us that we can learn from Leo
to follow his dream, never give up and never listen to anyone who says you
can’t do it. I believe, if you put your mind into something or follow your
passion, anything is possible. And then when you succeed, you can live like
your favorite famous people.

7. THANK YOU
IG: ramizaknd
Advisor: LKuntadi@msn.com