Was Lionel Messi poor as a child?

Lionel Messi faced financial challenges during his childhood, growing up in a working-class family in Rosario, Argentina. His father worked as a factory steel worker, while his mother was a cleaner. Although they were not impoverished, the family's financial situation became more difficult when Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, which required expensive medical treatments that his family struggled to afford. Despite these hardships, Messi's talent in football ultimately led to his success and a brighter future.