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Why Lionel Messi’s Nickname is La Pulga – Details Emerge
Lionel Messi is most commonly known as ‘The Goat’, as he has won 45 trophies, scored 849 goals, and registered 378 assists in his career.
His nickname ‘La Pulga’ originates from childhood due to his dribbling skills and small frame.
‘La Pulga Atomica’ emerged in 2010 after stellar performances, which helped him secure back-to-back Ballon d’Or victories.
Most commonly, Lionel Messi is known as ‘The Goat’ for his achievements and contribution to the game. He has won 45 trophies in his career, including the 2022 World Cup and four Champions League titles. Individually, he has scored 849 goals and registered 378 assists in 1080 appearances – a staggering career for the left-footed Argentinian.
While ‘The Goat’ is the most popular nickname for Messi by fans and pundits alike, ‘La Pulga’ is also a commonly used nickname in reference to the 37-year-old. It is a Spanish phrase that translates to ‘The Flea’ in English, relating to Messi’s small frame and dribbling ability. Here is everything you need to know about where the nickname comes from.
Why is Messi Nicknamed ‘The Flea’
Messi’s nickname originates from his childhood. His two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, played football with the young Argentinian regularly when they were growing up, alongside their cousins. Messi’s eye-catching dribbling ability to take the ball, past opposition players, with ease on his left foot led to his older brothers dubbing him ‘La Pulgita’, which means ‘little flea’. This phrase was later amended to become ‘La Pulga’, simply translating to ‘The Flea’.
As a young player, Messi was often the smallest player on the pitch, but due to his artistry when the ball was at his feet, he was able to wriggle away from pressure and create chances for himself and his teammates. When Messi was aged 11, he was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency by doctor Diego Schwarzstein. This meant that he had to have Human Growth Hormone (HGH) injections into both of his legs. Barcelona covered the payments for the treatment, and he joined La Masia when he was 13. La Pulga eventually grew to his current height, 5 foot 7 inches, establishing himself as one of the best players the game has ever seen.
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Nickname Transitions To ‘La Pulga Atomica’
One of Messi’s best years as a Barcelona player was in 2010 – a year that saw him win the Ballon d’Or for the second time. During his career, the Argentinian has won the coveted individual award a record-breaking eight times. In 2010, Messi made 64 appearances for club and country, scoring 60 goals and registering 17 assists. He scored a goal every 89 minutes and registered a goal contribution every 69 minutes. Barcelona won the 2009/10 La Liga title, along with the Supercopa de Espana, meaning he edged the Ballon d’Or vote over Cristiano Ronaldo in 2010.
Due to his performances, the Spanish media coined a new nickname for the Argentinian playmaker. Writing for Mundo Deportivo, Jose Luis Artus recalled a man of the match display by Messi against Getafe, describing him as the best striker in the world. He said:
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
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United lost control after scoring
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They failed to win second balls
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They should have killed the match earlier
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The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
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Local News
Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
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David Beckham
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Zinedine Zidane
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Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
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“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
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Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
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And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
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Upgraded comfort
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Subtle structural refinement
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Increased responsiveness
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Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
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