You might think you’re a cat person, but Mariya and Aleksandr Dmitriev are big cat people. We’re talking BIG cat people. Rather than adopting your everyday tabby cat, Mariya and Aleksandr are the proud caretakers of Messi—a puma who was born into captivity and rescued from death.
But Messi isn’t your average wild animal that will rip your head off the moment it sees you. Messi is one of the sweetest, cuddliest housecats you’ll find.
Messi Became Sick When He Was Only Three Months Old
Messi was one of three cougar cubs that were born at the Saransk Zoo in Penza, Russia. Messi and his brothers, Suarez and Neymar, were named after famous soccer players to pay tribute to Russia hosting four games of the World Cup.
Unfortunately, Messi began having health problems when he was three months old. The Saransk Zoo did their best to take care of him but they were okay with someone taking Messi off their hands.
