Lionel Messi facts for kids

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Lionel Messi

Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Personal information

Date of birth

24 June 1987 (age 38)

Place of birth

Rosario, Argentina

Height

1.70 m

Playing position

Forward

Club information

Current club

Inter Miami

Number

Youth career

1992–1995

Grandoli

1995–2000

Newell's Old Boys

2000–2004

Barcelona

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps^†

(Gls)^†

2003–2004

Barcelona C

(5)

2004–2005

Barcelona B

(6)

2004–2021

Barcelona

520

(474)

2021–2023

Paris Saint-Germain

(22)

2023–

Inter Miami

(26)

National team^‡

2004–2005

Argentina U20

(14)

2008

Argentina U23

(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
- Overcoming Challenges to Play
Messi's Amazing Football Career
Player Profile: Messi's Unique Style
Personal Life and Family Connections
Endorsements and Earnings
Giving Back: Messi's Philanthropy
Interesting Facts About Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi Quotes
Career Statistics
- Club
- International
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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
Club	Season	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
Team	Year	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
Argentina U23	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 (Golden Ball winner) pictured with future teammate Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) at the conclusion of 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 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

Creu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (30 April 2019)

Images for kids

Messi aiming to shoot during the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester United
Messi (centre) and his teammates celebrating winning the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup
Messi pointing to the sky following his record five-goal display against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League in 2012
Messi during a game against Almería in 2014
Messi celebrating his second goal against Granada in 2014
Messi dribbling past Juventus defender Patrice Evra during the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final
Messi holding off Sevilla's Éver Banega during the 2015 UEFA Super Cup
Messi prior to a friendly game with Al Ahli SC in Doha, Qatar in December 2016
Messi taking a free-kick against Real Valladolid in 2018
Messi's six Ballon d'Or awards on display in the FC Barcelona Museum. His record sixth from 2019 is at the front.
Messi (middle) with PSG team-mates Kylian Mbappé (left) and Neymar
Messi evades Brazil's Marcelo in the semi-final of the 2008 Summer Olympics
Messi in action during the opening match against Bolivia at the 2011 Copa América
Messi scored his first international hat-trick against Switzerland in 2012.
Messi watches his 25-yard curling strike hit the net against Iran to win the game for Argentina in their second group game at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Messi battles Germany's Mats Hummels for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi celebrates his hat-trick against Ecuador in 2017 which saw Argentina qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Messi celebrates his goal against Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Messi at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Messi prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi has been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo (left) throughout much of their careers.
Messi's Argentina jersey, supplied by Adidas, was sold out worldwide during the 2022 World Cup.
After blessing himself, Messi often celebrates a goal by pointing a finger on each hand towards the sky in dedication to his late grandmother. His goal celebration features in the FIFA video game series, first appearing in FIFA 14.
Indian vehicle art of Messi