Lionel Messi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lionel Messi

Messi with Inter Miami in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth	(1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 38)
Place of birth	Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	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	53	(50)
International career‡
2004–2005	Argentina U20	18	(14)
2008	Argentina U23	5	(2)
2005–	Argentina	195	(114)
Medal record 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
Signature
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:28, 19 October 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 02:32, 15 October 2025 (UTC)

This article is part of a series about Lionel Messi
Argentine professional footballer International goals Career achievements Messi–Ronaldo rivalry New Maradona Eponyms and public art Cougar Sistine Chapel of Football Films Messi (2014) Messi (2017) Messi and Maud (2017) Take the Ball Pass the Ball (2018) Family Maxi Biancucchi Emanuel Biancucchi Related people Frank Rijkaard Pep Guardiola Luis Enrique Tito Vilanova Diego Maradona Lionel Scaloni Joan Laporta Carles Rexach Josep Maria Bartomeu Dani Alves Neymar Luis Suárez Xavi Andrés Iniesta Sergio Busquets Samuel Eto'o Thierry Henry Ronaldinho David Villa Jordi Alba Gerard Piqué Carles Puyol Ivan Rakitić Javier Mascherano Pedro Cesc Fàbregas Zlatan Ibrahimović Kylian Mbappé Sergio Agüero Ángel Di María Cristiano Ronaldo Robinho
v t e

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (born 24 June 1987) is a professional soccer player from Argentina. Many people consider him to be the greatest player in the history of the sport. He plays as a forward for the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and is the captain of the Argentina national team.

Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, which are given to the best player in the world. He has also won six European Golden Shoe awards for being the top scorer in Europe. Throughout his amazing career, he has scored over 890 goals and has won 45 trophies with his teams, making him one of the most successful players ever. He is known for his incredible goalscoring, creative passing, and amazing dribbling skills.

He spent most of his career at Barcelona, where he won 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions League titles. In 2021, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the French league title twice. In 2023, he joined Inter Miami in the United States.

With his national team, Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Winning the World Cup was a dream come true for him and his country. He also won the 2024 Copa América. He is Argentina's all-time top goalscorer and has played more games for his country than any other player.

Early life

Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. He was the third of four children. His father, Jorge, was a manager at a steel factory, and his mother, Celia, worked in a workshop that made magnets. He grew up in a family that loved soccer. From a very young age, he was always playing with his older brothers and cousins.

At age four, he joined a local club called Grandoli, where his father coached him. His grandmother, Celia, was a big influence on him and always took him to his training and matches. He was very sad when she passed away just before his eleventh birthday. Now, he often celebrates his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky as a tribute to her.

Youth career

Newell's Old Boys

When he was seven, Messi joined Newell's Old Boys, a club in his hometown that he has supported his whole life. In the six years he played for them, he scored nearly 500 goals. He was part of a youth team called "The Machine of '87" that almost never lost a game.

When Messi was 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. This medical condition meant he wasn't growing properly, and it put his dream of becoming a professional player at risk. The treatment was very expensive, and his family struggled to pay for it.

Barcelona

Because Messi's family had relatives in Catalonia, Spain, they arranged a tryout with Barcelona in 2000. The team's director, Carles Rexach, saw Messi play and wanted to sign him immediately. The club's leaders were unsure because it was rare to sign such a young foreign player. To show he was serious, Rexach wrote a contract offer on a paper napkin.

In 2001, Messi and his family moved to Spain. At first, it was hard for him. He was very quiet, and some teammates thought he couldn't speak. He was also homesick when his mother and siblings moved back to Argentina. He stayed in Barcelona with his father to follow his dream.

Messi joined Barcelona's famous youth academy, La Masia, when he was 13 years old.

After a year, Messi was finally able to play in all competitions. He became part of Barcelona's "Baby Dream Team," one of the best youth teams in the club's history. After finishing his growth hormone treatment at age 14, he started to shine. In one famous youth final, he broke his cheekbone a week before the game. He started the match wearing a plastic mask but took it off and scored two goals in 10 minutes.

He moved up through the club's teams very quickly. At 16, he made his debut for the first team in a friendly game. The team's star player, Ronaldinho, became friends with Messi and called him his "little brother," which helped him feel welcome.

Club career

Becoming a Star at Barcelona

Messi playing for FC Barcelona in 2005 at the age of 18. He played for the club for 17 years.

Messi made his official debut for Barcelona in La Liga on 16 October 2004, at just 17 years old. He scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005, becoming the youngest goalscorer for the club at the time. In his early seasons, he helped Barcelona win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

By the 2006–07 season, he was already a key player. He scored an amazing hat-trick (three goals in one game) against rivals Real Madrid. He also scored a famous goal against Getafe where he dribbled past several players, which was very similar to a legendary goal by Argentine hero Diego Maradona.

A Golden Era of Trophies

When new manager Pep Guardiola arrived in 2008, Messi was given the famous number 10 shirt. This was the start of one of the most successful periods in soccer history. In the 2008–09 season, Messi helped Barcelona win the "treble" – La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League – for the first time in Spanish history.

From 2009 to 2012, Messi won the Ballon d'Or four years in a row. He broke many records, including becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer at just 24 years old. In 2012, he scored an incredible 91 goals in a single calendar year for his club and country, a world record.

Messi during a match in 2009 against Manchester City.

The Famous 'MSN' Trio

In 2014, Barcelona signed Luis Suárez, who joined Messi and Neymar to form a legendary attacking trio known as "MSN." Together, they were almost unstoppable. In their first season, they scored 122 goals and led Barcelona to another historic treble in the 2014–15 season.

The MSN trio played together for three seasons, scoring a total of 363 goals. They are remembered as one of the greatest attacking partnerships of all time. During this time, Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015.

Captain Messi's Final Seasons

Messi, wearing the captain's armband, against Real Valladolid in 2018.

In 2018, Messi became the captain of Barcelona. He led the team to another La Liga title and continued to break records. In 2019, he won his sixth Ballon d'Or. He also won the Pichichi trophy for being La Liga's top scorer a record eight times.

In 2021, Messi's time at Barcelona came to a surprising end. The club had serious financial problems and could not afford to renew his contract due to league rules. In a tearful press conference, he said goodbye to the club he had been with for 21 years.

A New Chapter in Paris

Messi (middle) with his PSG teammates Kylian Mbappé (left) and Neymar (right).

On 10 August 2021, Messi signed with the French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He reunited with his former teammate Neymar and played alongside French superstar Kylian Mbappé.

During his two seasons at PSG, Messi helped the team win the Ligue 1 title twice. In 2021, after winning the Copa América with Argentina, he won his seventh Ballon d'Or. He left the club in 2023 after his contract ended.

Taking America by Storm

Messi with Inter Miami during the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.

In July 2023, Messi made a huge move to the United States, joining Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF. His arrival caused a sensation known as "Messimania." Ticket prices soared, and his number 10 jersey became the best-selling in the world.

He had an immediate impact, scoring a game-winning free-kick on his debut. He led Inter Miami to its first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup, just a month after joining. In 2023, he won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or. In 2024, he led the team to win the Supporters' Shield for having the best record in the league. He was also named the MLS Most Valuable Player.

International career

Messi playing against Brazil in the semi-final of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Messi has had an incredible career with the Argentina national team. He started by winning the 2005 U-20 World Cup and an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

For many years, winning a major trophy with the senior national team was his biggest challenge. He led Argentina to three straight finals between 2014 and 2016—the 2014 World Cup final and two Copa América finals—but lost all three. The repeated disappointments were so tough that he briefly retired from the national team in 2016, but he returned after fans across Argentina begged him to come back.

Messi playing against Mexico in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

His hard work finally paid off. In 2021, he led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, the country's first major title in 28 years. This was a huge moment for Messi and the entire nation.

The ultimate prize came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In one of the most exciting finals ever, Messi scored two goals as Argentina defeated France to become world champions. It was the one trophy he wanted most, and winning it secured his place as a legend of the game. He won the Golden Ball award for the best player of the tournament for a second time. In 2024, he helped Argentina win the Copa América again.

How Messi Plays the Game

Messi gets ready to shoot with his powerful left foot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

Messi is famous for his unique style of play. Because he is not very tall, he has a low center of gravity, which helps him change direction very quickly and keep his balance. This makes it incredibly hard for defenders to tackle him. The Spanish media gave him the nickname La Pulga Atómica ("The Atomic Flea").

He is considered one of the greatest dribblers of all time. His former coach Pep Guardiola once said, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it." He is mostly left-footed and is known for his powerful and accurate shots. He is also a master of passing, creating countless chances for his teammates. In addition, he is an expert at scoring from free kicks and penalty kicks.

Family and Life Outside of Soccer

Messi has been with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, since 2008. He has known her since they were five years old in their hometown of Rosario. They got married in 2017 and have three sons.

He is very close to his family. His father, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14. His mother and brothers also help manage his career and his charity, the Leo Messi Foundation, which helps children in need. Even after living in Europe and the United States for many years, Messi has kept strong ties to Rosario and still speaks with his childhood friends.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Messi (Golden Ball winner) with future teammate Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final.

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21
• Supercopa de España: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015

Paris Saint-Germain

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

Inter Miami

• Supporters' Shield: 2024
• Leagues Cup: 2023

Argentina U20

• FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U23

• Olympic Games: 2008

Argentina

• FIFA World Cup: 2022
• Copa América: 2021, 2024
• Finalissima: 2022

Individual

• 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
• MLS Golden Boot: 2025
• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020, 2023
• TIME Athlete of the Year: 2023
• IFFHS World's Best Player: 2022
• 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

• Creu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (30 April 2019)
• Presidential Medal of Freedom, United States (4 January 2025)

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."

See also

In Spanish: Lionel Messi para niños