An outlier is defined as something observed to be significantly different (above or below) or outside the sample set or an average. With this article, I intend to summarize Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers and use it to describe why I think Lionel Messi is an outlier. In Outliers, Gladwell (2008) examines what makes some people significantly more effective than others. It is commonly thought that talent, intelligence and hard work, well above average, are all that is needed to achieve great success. Gladwell challenges this belief through in-depth basic research into a few distinct outliers. I intend to summarize his key points, necessary for an outlier, and apply them to my chosen outlier, Lionel Messi. In a world where success is said to be achieved through talent and hard work, it seems to have much more to do with unfair advantages and opportunities. Key aspects that Gladwell (2008) links to an outlier include innate talent, opportunity, practice, education and family influence, cultural heritage, and the relevance or importance of one's work. I will now go on to further explain and expand on these features individually. The first characteristic needed to excel as an outlier is innate talent. To truly excel at anything, you must have the talent to foster success. Gladwell admits that talent and hard work are factors in success. Human achievement, he argues, requires skill and talent, disciplined by at least 10,000 hours of practice. Having talent alone is not enough to be successful. Having the fortitude to take advantage of the opportunities given to you and the determination to practice for as long as it takes to master your craft is what leads to true success. Next, let's look at opportunities...... middle of paper ......t success through opportunity and hard work. Having the fortitude to seize all opportunities at hand and the determination to work hard, even early in life, despite his health problems, Lionel Messi was able to eclipse all others and make himself a name as one of the best to ever play the game of football. Having opportunities and advantages not immediately available to others, being born at a time that allows you to take advantage of opportunities not available to those born before or after you, having parents who are committed and involved in your striving for success, and resilience in 'Exercising day after day is an outlier. Innate talent is the cornerstone of every success story. But to truly understand your journey to success, you need to dig deeper to discover the true aspects of your success. And in the process, maybe defend them as outliers.