Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Young Messi dreams big, never gives up in inspiring bio.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
A little boy in Argentina loves soccer and clearly has extraordinary talent, even at age 6, but getting to the top of his game is not easy, as we see in MESSI'S MAGIC: HOW LIONEL MESSI BECAME THE G.O.A.T. He is devoted to his sport and practices hard day and night, but young Leo is shorter than kids his age, and his family learns he needs expensive medical treatments to help him grow if he wants to play soccer professionally. At age 13, a club in Barcelona, Spain, signs him to a contract and covers his medical expenses. At the soccer academy there, shy Leo often feels lonely, but he stays focused and becomes one of the greatest international soccer stars of all time. He joins his first professional soccer team at 17 and goes on to win more professional awards than any other player in history. One of the final images in the book shows him as an adult with his wife, his childhood sweetheart, and their three soccer-loving sons.
Is It Any Good?
This inspiring sports bio focuses on the personal challenges Lionel Messi faced as a kid, making him a relatable character as well as a role model. In Messi's Magic, young readers see him dealing with a challenging medical issue, being sad when his beloved, supportive grandmother dies, and feeling lonely when he's at a soccer academy in Spain, far from home. By zeroing in on his emotional journey, author Caroline L. Perry makes this story more about perseverance and resilience than just about the glory of winning. Luciano Lozano's colorful illustrations also highlight emotions, capturing exhilarating moments of victory and camaraderie and quiet times of loneliness and anxiety. Helpful back matter includes a timeline of Messi's amazing career and many fun facts about him.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges Leo had to do deal with in Messi's Magic. Can you imagine playing on a professional sports team? What sport would you choose? How hard do you think it would be to become a star?
Leo keeps trying hard and never gives up. Why is perseverance important when you're aiming to reach a goal?
When Leo is accepted to a soccer academy in Spain, he really misses his family. How would you feel if you had to leave home to follow your sports dream before you were an adult?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Luciano Lozano
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Competition , Family Stories ( Dads , Grandparents , Moms ) , Sports ( Soccer )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : September 2, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : June 9, 2026
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