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Lionel Messi
Lionel-Messi-Argentina-2022-FIFA-World-Cup (cropped).jpg
Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
Height 1.70 m
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Inter Miami
Number 10
Youth career
1992–1995 Grandoli
1995–2000 Newell's Old Boys
2000–2004 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (5)
2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (6)
2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
2021–2023 Paris Saint-Germain 58 (22)
2023– Inter Miami 35 (26)
National team
2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14)
2008 Argentina U23 5 (2)
2005– Argentina 191 (112)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2022 Qatar
Runner-up 2014 Brazil
Copa América
Winner 2021 Brazil
Winner 2024 United States
Runner-up 2007 Venezuela
Runner-up 2015 Chile
Runner-up 2016 United States
Third 2019 Brazil
Finalissima
Winner 2022 England
Olympics
Gold 2008 Beijing Team
U20 World Cup
Winner 2005 Netherlands
South American U20 Championship
Third 2005 Colombia
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 03:17, 19 May 2025 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 08:41, 20 November 2024 (UTC)

Lionel Andrés Messi (born 24 June 1987), also known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer. He plays as a forward and is the captain for both the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.

Many people consider Messi to be one of the greatest football players of all time. He has won a record 45 team trophies, more than any other player in history. These include 12 league titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Américas, and one FIFA World Cup. Messi holds many records, such as winning the European Golden Shoe six times and scoring the most goals for a single club (672 goals for Barcelona). He also has the most goals (474) and assists (192) in La Liga. For his country, he has the most appearances (191) and goals (112) for a South American male player.

Early Life and Football Dreams

Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. He was the third of four children. His father, Jorge, managed a steel factory, and his mother, Celia, worked in a magnet factory.

Growing up, Leo loved football. He played constantly with his older brothers and cousins, some of whom also became professional footballers. When he was four, he joined a local club called Grandoli, where his father was his coach.

"When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive."

Newell's Old Boys youth coach Adrián Coria shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi.

Messi was a big fan of Newell's Old Boys and joined their club when he was six. He scored nearly 500 goals for their youth team, known as "The Machine of '87." He often showed off his amazing ball tricks during half-time at the first team's games.

Overcoming Challenges to Play

When Messi was 10, doctors found he had a growth hormone deficiency. This meant his body didn't produce enough hormones to grow properly. The treatment was very expensive, costing at least $1,000 a month. His father's insurance only covered two years. Newell's Old Boys first agreed to help pay but later changed their mind. Another club, River Plate, was interested in him but also refused to pay for his treatment.

La Masia (Can Planas) (Barcelona) - 1
Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, aged 13.

Since Messi's family had relatives in Spain, they arranged a tryout with Barcelona in September 2000. The club's director, Charly Rexach, was so impressed that he wanted to sign Messi right away. However, the club leaders were unsure about signing such a young foreign player. On 14 December, Messi's family gave Barcelona an ultimatum. Rexach, without any proper paper, quickly wrote a contract on a paper napkin to show their commitment.

Messi's Amazing Football Career

Starting Out in Spain

Messi moved to Spain from Argentina when he was 13 to join Barcelona. During his first year, he didn't play much because of a transfer issue with Newell's Old Boys. As a foreign player, he could only play in friendly games and the Catalan league. Without regular football, he found it hard to fit in. He was so quiet that his teammates thought he couldn't speak. He also missed his family, as his mother and siblings moved back to Argentina.

After a year at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, and finishing his growth treatment, Messi was finally allowed to play in all competitions in February 2002. He became friends with teammates like Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué.

Rise to Stardom at Barcelona

At 17, Messi made his first official game for Barcelona in October 2004. Within three years, he became a key player. In the 2008–09 season, he helped Barcelona win their first "treble" in Spanish football (winning the league, national cup, and Champions League in one season). That year, at age 22, Messi won his first Ballon d'Or, an award for the best player in the world.

Leo messi barce 2005
Messi playing against Málaga in 2005

Messi continued to shine, winning four Ballon d'Or awards in a row, a first for any player. In the 2011–12 season, he set records for most goals in a single season in La Liga and Europe. He also became Barcelona's all-time top scorer. He won his fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015.

Messi became Barcelona's captain in 2018 and won a record sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. He spent his entire professional career with Barcelona until 2021, winning a club-record 34 trophies. These included ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Lionel Messi Barca training
Messi during a training session with Barcelona in 2006

New Adventures: PSG and Inter Miami

After his contract ended, Messi joined French club Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. He played there for two seasons, winning the Ligue 1 title twice. In July 2023, Messi moved to the American club Inter Miami. He quickly helped them win the Leagues Cup that August. On 30 October 2023, he won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or. He was also named Time Athlete of the Year, the first footballer to ever receive this honor.

CINvMIA 2023-08-23 - Lionel Messi, Tata Martino (PXL 20230824 010525464) (Messi crop)
Messi with Inter Miami in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup

During the 2025 season, Messi became the fastest player to score 40 goals in Major League Soccer history. He is currently negotiating to extend his contract with Inter Miami until the end of the 2026 season.

International Success with Argentina

Messi is Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer and holds the national record for appearances. As a youth player, he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, earning both the Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Shoe (top scorer). He also won an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

After his first senior game in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup (in 2006). He reached the final of the 2007 Copa América and was named the tournament's young player. As Argentina's captain from August 2011, he led his country to three finals in a row: the 2014 FIFA World Cup (where he won the Golden Ball), the 2015 Copa América (winning the Golden Ball), and the 2016 Copa América.

Lionel Messi goal 19abr2007
Messi making his Maradona-esque run against Getafe in 2007

After briefly retiring from international football in 2016, he returned and led Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They finished third in the 2019 Copa América and then won the 2021 Copa América. For this victory, Messi received a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or.

In 2022, Messi led Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He won a record second Golden Ball, scored seven goals (including two in the final), and broke the record for most games played at the World Cup (26).

In March 2023, Messi returned to Argentina as a world champion. He scored his 99th international goal with a free-kick against Panama, which was also his 800th career goal. In the next match, he scored a hat-trick against Curaçao, reaching 100 international goals.

In the 2024 Copa América semi-final, Messi scored his only goal of the tournament, becoming the second-highest international goalscorer of all time. Argentina won the final against Colombia, winning their second Copa América in a row. Messi also set a new record for most appearances (39) at the Copa América.

Player Profile: Messi's Unique Style

Argentina team in St. Petersburg (cropped) Messi
A versatile forward, Messi often plays as a classic number 10.

Because he is shorter than many players, Messi has a lower center of gravity. This gives him amazing agility, allowing him to change direction very quickly and avoid defenders. While he has improved his right foot, Messi mainly uses his left foot to play.

Messi is an incredible goalscorer. He is known for his accurate shots, smart positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make clever runs past defenders. Many describe him as a "magician" because he can create goals and chances out of nowhere. He is also very good at taking free kicks and penalty kicks. As of September 2023, he ranks fifth all-time in goals from direct free kicks with 65, the most among active players. He also likes to score with chips (kicking the ball gently over the goalkeeper).

Lionel Messi Player of the Year, 2011
Messi is known to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate attacking plays, and create goal-scoring opportunities.

Personal Life and Family Connections

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, who is also from Rosario. He has known her since he was five years old, as she is the cousin of his childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia. Messi and Roccuzzo got married on 30 June 2017 in Rosario. They have three sons: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015), and Ciro (born 2018). Messi and his family are Catholic Christians.

Messi has a very close relationship with his family. He has a tattoo of his mother, Celia, on his left shoulder. His father, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14. His oldest brother, Rodrigo, helps with his daily schedule and publicity. His mother and other brother, Matías, manage his charity, the Leo Messi Foundation.

Messi has always stayed connected to his hometown of Rosario. He still owns his family's old house and has an apartment for his mother there. He often travels back to Rosario to spend time with his family and friends. He has always said he plans to finish his playing career at his boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys.

Endorsements and Earnings

Messi has worked with the sportswear company Adidas since 2006. He was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years between 2009 and 2014, according to France Football. Forbes magazine also named him the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019 and 2022. In 2020, Messi became only the second footballer to earn over $1 billion in his career.

Giving Back: Messi's Philanthropy

Messi has always been involved in charity work, especially helping children. This is partly because of the health problems he faced as a child. Since 2004, he has supported the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). He became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in March 2010. He has traveled to Haiti to raise awareness for children after the earthquake and has supported UNICEF campaigns for HIV prevention, education, and helping disabled children.

Lionel Messi 31mar2007
Messi (pictured in 2007) has worked with UNICEF since 2004 and has served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 2010.

Messi also started his own charity, the Leo Messi Foundation, in 2007. It helps children get access to healthcare, education, and sports. He decided to start it after visiting a hospital for very sick children in Boston. Through his foundation, Messi has given money for research, medical training, and new medical centers in Argentina, Spain, and other parts of the world. His foundation gets money from his own fundraising events and from companies like Adidas that he works with.

Messi has also invested in youth football in Argentina. He supports Sarmiento, a club in his old neighborhood, and helps young players at Newell's Old Boys and other clubs. In 2012, he funded a new gym and dormitory at Newell's Old Boys' stadium for their youth academy. His former youth coach, Ernesto Vecchio, now works for the Leo Messi Foundation, looking for new talented young players. Messi has also donated money to help fight the spread of coronavirus and took a pay cut to help Barcelona's employees during the pandemic.

Interesting Facts About Lionel Messi

  • Messi has Italian and Spanish family roots from his father's side, and mostly Italian roots from his mother's side.
  • His maternal grandmother, Celia, was a big influence on him. She took him to training and matches. She passed away just before his eleventh birthday. Since then, Messi celebrates his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky to honor her.
  • His favorite player growing up was Ronaldo, whom Messi called "the best forward I've ever seen."
  • Messi holds triple citizenship: he is a citizen of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.
  • His favorite foods include asado (a traditional South American barbecue), milanesa (a type of breaded meat), and pasta. He prefers his mate (a traditional South American drink) unsweetened.
  • Time magazine named Messi one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023.
  • He won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020 and 2023, becoming the first team-sport athlete to win this award.
  • Messi is often compared to Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and they have an ongoing rivalry.
  • In February 2021, Messi donated the Adidas shoes he wore when he broke Pelé's record for most goals for a single club (644 goals for Barcelona) to a museum. The shoes were later sold at auction for charity to help children with cancer, raising £125,000.

Lionel Messi Quotes

  • "Sometimes you have to accept you can't win all the time."
  • "You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it."
  • "The day you think there is no improvements to be made is a sad one for any player."
  • "I have fun like a child in the street. When the day comes when I'm not enjoying it, I will leave football."

Career Statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona C 2003–04 Tercera División 10 5 10 5
Barcelona B 2003–04 Segunda División B 5 0 5 0
2004–05 Segunda División B 17 6 17 6
Total 22 6 22 6
Barcelona 2004–05 La Liga 7 1 1 0 1 0 9 1
2005–06 La Liga 17 6 2 1 6 1 0 0 25 8
2006–07 La Liga 26 14 2 2 5 1 3 0 36 17
2007–08 La Liga 28 10 3 0 9 6 40 16
2008–09 La Liga 31 23 8 6 12 9 51 38
2009–10 La Liga 35 34 3 1 11 8 4 4 53 47
2010–11 La Liga 33 31 7 7 13 12 2 3 55 53
2011–12 La Liga 37 50 7 3 11 14 5 6 60 73
2012–13 La Liga 32 46 5 4 11 8 2 2 50 60
2013–14 La Liga 31 28 6 5 7 8 2 0 46 41
2014–15 La Liga 38 43 6 5 13 10 57 58
2015–16 La Liga 33 26 5 5 7 6 4 4 49 41
2016–17 La Liga 34 37 7 5 9 11 2 1 52 54
2017–18 La Liga 36 34 6 4 10 6 2 1 54 45
2018–19 La Liga 34 36 5 3 10 12 1 0 50 51
2019–20 La Liga 33 25 2 2 8 3 1 1 44 31
2020–21 La Liga 35 30 5 3 6 5 1 0 47 38
Total 520 474 80 56 149 120 29 22 778 672
Paris Saint-Germain 2021–22 Ligue 1 26 6 1 0 7 5 34 11
2022–23 Ligue 1 32 16 1 0 7 4 1 1 41 21
Total 58 22 2 0 14 9 1 1 75 32
Inter Miami 2023 MLS 6 1 1 0 7 10 14 11
2024 MLS 19 20 3 2 3 1 25 23
2025 MLS 10 5 7 5 0 0 17 10
Total 35 26 1 0 10 7 10 11 56 44
Career total 645 533 83 56 173 136 40 34 941 759

International

Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
Team Year Competitive Friendly Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Argentina U20 2004 2 3 2 3
2005 16 11 16 11
Total 16 11 2 3 18 14
Argentina U23 2008 5 2 5 2
Total 5 2 0 0 5 2
Argentina 2005 3 0 2 0 5 0
2006 3 1 4 1 7 2
2007 10 4 4 2 14 6
2008 6 1 2 1 8 2
2009 8 1 2 2 10 3
2010 5 0 5 2 10 2
2011 8 2 5 2 13 4
2012 5 5 4 7 9 12
2013 5 3 2 3 7 6
2014 7 4 7 4 14 8
2015 6 1 2 3 8 4
2016 10 8 1 0 11 8
2017 5 4 2 0 7 4
2018 4 1 1 3 5 4
2019 6 1 4 4 10 5
2020 4 1 4 1
2021 16 9 16 9
2022 10 8 4 10 14 18
2023 5 3 3 5 8 8
2024 9 4 2 2 11 6
Total 135 61 56 51 191 112
Career total 156 74 58 54 213 128

Honours and Awards

Messi with Neymar Junior the Future of Brazil
Messi (Golden Ball winner) pictured with future teammate Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) at the conclusion of the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final.

Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain

  • Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23
  • Trophée des Champions: 2022

Inter Miami

Argentina U20

Argentina U23

Argentina

Individual Awards

  • Ballon d'Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
  • FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023
  • European Golden Shoe: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
  • FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
  • FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
  • FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
  • FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005
  • FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
  • UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008–09
  • UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2010–11, 2014–15
  • UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19
  • Copa América Golden Ball: 2015, 2021
  • Copa América Golden Boot: 2021
  • La Liga Best Player: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
  • MLS Most Valuable Player: 2024
  • Pichichi Trophy: 2009−10, 2011–12, 2012−13, 2016–17, 2017−18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
  • Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020, 2023
  • Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020
  • FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Orders

  • Cross of Saint George (Catalan Government Award).svg Creu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (30 April 2019)

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lionel Messi para niños

  • European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics
  • La Liga records and statistics
  • List of FC Barcelona players
  • List of FC Barcelona records and statistics
  • List of FIFA World Cup winning players
  • List of largest sports contracts
  • List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
  • List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
  • List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals
  • List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
  • List of most-followed Instagram accounts
  • List of most-liked Instagram posts
  • List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
  • List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA World Cups
  • List of association football rivalries
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