Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born on 24 June 1987, is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as a forward and captains both Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and the Argentina national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history. Throughout his career, Messi has won many individual awards, including eight Ballon d'Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and has been named the world’s best player eight times by FIFA. In 2025, he was named the All Time Men’s World Best Player by the IFFHS.

Messi is the most decorated player in professional football history, having won 46 team trophies. His records include scoring the most goals in a calendar year (91), the most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona), and the most goals in La Liga (474). He has scored over 910 goals and provided over 410 assists in his career, totaling more than 1,320 goal contributions—the highest in football history.

Messi made his debut for Barcelona at age 17 in 2004. He helped the club achieve the first treble in Spanish football during the 2008–09 season and became Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. After leaving Barcelona in 2021 due to financial difficulties, he played for Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Ligue 1 title in both seasons there. In 2023, he joined Inter Miami and led them to their first MLS Cup victory in 2025, while also winning back-to-back league MVP awards.

As an Argentine international, Messi is the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. He helped Argentina end a 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América and led the team to a World Cup victory in 2022, the country’s first in 36 years. Messi’s third major international title came when Argentina won the 2024 Copa América.

Messi has endorsed the sportswear company Adidas since 2006. He was ranked the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2019 and 2022 and was named to Time’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023. In 2023, he was named Time’s Athlete of the Year and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US president Joe Biden in 2025.

Early life

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, a city in Argentina. He grew up in a family that loved football. His father worked at a steel company, and his mother worked in a magnet factory. Messi started playing football when he was just four years old with his older brothers and cousins.

Messi’s grandmother, Celia, was very important to him. She would go to all his games. After she passed away, Messi began a special tradition. After scoring a goal, he would point to the sky to honor her memory. Messi’s family was very close, and football was a big part of their lives.

Youth career

Newell's Old Boys

Lionel Messi started his football journey at age seven with the club Newell's Old Boys in Rosario. Over six years, he scored nearly 500 goals and became a big fan favorite. Despite being very small, everyone knew he was special. At ten years old, Messi was told he had a condition that stopped him from growing normally. His family started special treatments to help him, but they were very expensive.

Barcelona

When Messi was 13, his family arranged a trial with the famous club Barcelona. The coaches loved him right away but usually, European clubs didn’t sign players so young. Finally, Messi joined Barcelona and moved to Spain. At first, it was hard because he missed home and felt quiet around new teammates.

Soon, Messi joined Barcelona’s youth teams and quickly became a star. He scored lots of goals and helped his teams win important trophies. Even at 16, he got to play with Barcelona’s main team and everyone was amazed by his skills. Messi worked hard to get stronger and kept improving every year.

Club career

Main article: Career of Lionel Messi § Club career

Barcelona

2004–2008: Rise to the first team

Messi began the 2004–05 season with the Barcelona B team, but was soon promoted to the first team. He made his debut in La Liga in October 2004 at just 17 years old. By May 2005, he had scored his first goal, becoming the youngest ever to do so for the club. Barcelona won the league title that season.

Soon after turning 18, Messi signed his first professional contract, which was later updated to keep him with the club longer and increase his pay. By the end of the 2005–06 season, Barcelona had won both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

In the 2006–07 season, Messi scored his first hat-trick, matching a famous feat by another Argentine player, Diego Maradona. Though Barcelona won only one trophy that year, the next season brought no trophies at all, and the manager left the club.

2008–2012: Success under Pep Guardiola

When new manager Pep Guardiola took charge in 2008, Messi was given the famous number 10 shirt. He became a key player, scoring many goals and helping the team win important trophies. That season, Barcelona achieved a treble—winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

The next few seasons brought more success. Messi won many individual awards, including the Ballon d'Or several times. He became Barcelona’s top scorer and helped the team win more titles each year.

2012–2014: Record-breaking year and Messidependencia

In 2012, Messi set a new record by scoring 91 goals in a single year. He won his fourth Ballon d'Or and signed a new contract to stay with Barcelona. The team won La Liga again, and Messi’s importance to the team grew so much that people began to worry the team depended too much on him.

To help share the load, Barcelona signed Neymar. Though Messi had a poorer season than usual, he still scored plenty of goals. Unfortunately, Barcelona did not win any major trophies that year.

2014–2017: Arrival of Luis Enrique and birth of MSN

New coach Luis Enrique arrived in 2014, and Barcelona signed Luis Suárez to play alongside Messi and Neymar. This trio, known as MSN, scored many goals together and helped the team win several trophies, including another treble.

Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or in 2016 and helped Barcelona win more titles. The MSN trio broke many records for goals scored.

2017–2021: Final years at Barcelona

Messi signed a new contract to stay with Barcelona until 2021. The team won La Liga and the Copa del Rey in 2018, and Messi became the club’s new captain. He won his sixth Ballon d'Or and helped the team win more trophies.

Despite winning his sixth Ballon d'Or, the 2019–20 season was a disappointment for Barcelona, and they did not win any trophies. Messi wanted to leave the club but decided to stay for the final year of his contract. In 2021, he helped Barcelona win the Copa del Rey. However, after his contract ended, Barcelona could not afford to keep him due to financial problems, and Messi left the club.

Paris Saint-Germain

Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. He chose the number 30, which he had worn when he first debuted for Barcelona. Messi scored his first goal for PSG in the Champions League and helped the team win the Ligue 1 title in his first season. He won a record seventh Ballon d'Or after also leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América.

In his second season, Messi won more trophies with PSG and helped them win another Ligue 1 title. He left the club after two years.

Inter Miami

Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023. His arrival created huge excitement, and he quickly became the team’s captain. He helped Inter Miami win their first-ever trophy in the Leagues Cup and was named the league’s MVP in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, he led the team to their first MLS Cup victory. Messi continued to break records, becoming the fastest player in MLS history to score 40 league goals and reaching his 900th career goal in 2026. He signed a contract extension to stay with Inter Miami until 2028.

International career

Main article: Career of Lionel Messi § International career

Lionel Messi began playing for Argentina's national teams in 2004. He first helped the under-20 team win the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, scoring six goals and earning the Golden Ball award. Messi made his debut with the senior national team in 2005 at age 18.

Messi became an important player for Argentina, leading them to many victories. He helped the team win the Olympic gold medal in 2008 and the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. In 2022, he led Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup, scoring twice in the final match. Messi has broken many records, including becoming the top goalscorer and assist-provider in international football.

Player profile

Style of play

Lionel Messi is known for his small size, which gives him great agility and helps him change direction quickly. Even though he isn't very big, he is strong and can handle challenges from other players without falling over easily. His quick feet let him keep control of the ball even when moving fast. Messi is mainly left-footed but has gotten better with his right foot over the years.

Messi is a great goal scorer because of his smart positioning and quick reactions. He can make smart runs to score goals and also helps his teammates by passing the ball well. He is famous for his accurate free kicks and penalty kicks.

Messi's speed and skills let him dribble towards the goal, especially when his team is on the counterattack. Many people think he is one of the best dribblers ever. As Messi has gotten older, he has started to pass the ball more and set up plays for his team instead of just scoring himself. He works hard and moves cleverly on the field to avoid getting hurt.

Tactical positioning

Messi can play in many different positions on the field. He started his career on the left side but later played more in the center. Under different managers, he has played on the right side, in the center, or even as a playmaker behind the main scorers. With the Argentina national team, he has also played in many different attacking roles, depending on the team's needs.

Reception

Messi is seen as one of the best players of his time, along with Cristiano Ronaldo. Many think he is one of the greatest football players ever. In 2025, he was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS.

Messi became a top player before he was even 20 years old. After winning his first big award, people started to think he might be one of the greatest ever. His coach at the time, Pep Guardiola, said Messi was the best player he had ever seen or would see. Over time, more and more people agreed.

Messi faced some criticism for not winning big international tournaments with Argentina early in his career. But after winning the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he achieved all the top awards, which many believe made his legacy even stronger.

Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo

Main article: Messi–Ronaldo rivalry

Messi is often compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, who many see as his career rival. Both have won many awards and trophies. Fans and experts often talk about who is better. Messi is known for his skills in dribbling, passing, and scoring, while Ronaldo is praised for his speed, strength, and scoring under pressure. Messi has won more individual awards, like eight Ballons d'Or compared to Ronaldo's five.

They first played against each other in 2008, when Ronaldo's Manchester United faced Messi's Barcelona in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Their teams met again in the next year's Champions League final, with Messi and Barcelona winning 2–0. After Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid, Messi's team, the two faced each other many times in El Clásico, one of the world's most watched matches. Many believe Messi's 2022 World Cup win with Argentina settled the debate about who is better.

Comparisons with Diego Maradona

Main article: New Maradona

Messi has also been compared to Diego Maradona, another great Argentine player. Both are short, left-footed playmakers, and both are from Argentina. When Messi was young, Maradona said he was the best player in the world and his successor. Messi wore the same number 10 shirt that Maradona wore for Argentina.

For many years, some people thought Maradona was better because he had won the 1986 FIFA World Cup and had a more passionate style. Messi was seen as more reserved. But after leading Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, many now see Messi as equally great as Maradona to Argentinians. Messi said winning the World Cup made all of Argentina love him.

Cultural impact

Popularity

Messi has been recognized as one of the most influential people in the world, appearing on the Time 100 list in 2011, 2012, and 2023. He is known by most people globally, with many seeing him in a positive light. His social media following is huge, with millions of fans on Facebook and Instagram.

Messi's popularity has led to many memorable moments, such as a famous photo chosen as the best sports image of 2014. However, there have also been times when fans were disappointed, like when he did not play in a match in Hong Kong in February 2024.

Wealth and sponsorships

Messi has earned a lot of money from football and from partnerships with big companies. He has been one of the highest-paid players for many years. Companies like Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, and Turkish Airlines have worked with him, making him a well-known face for their brands.

Messi's advertisements have been very popular, and he has helped sell many products around the world. However, some people have questioned his choices, like when he became a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.

Public art

People have created many artworks showing Messi, including paintings, murals, and statues. There is even a famous artwork called the Sistine Chapel of Football, which shows Messi and other famous Argentine players. Statues of Messi have been put up in different places, including Buenos Aires and Kolkata.

Media

There have been documentaries and series made about Messi's life and career. One series about his time with the Argentina national team and their success in the 2022 World Cup was released in February 2024.

Business ventures

In June 2024, Messi started his own brand of sports and energy drinks because he wanted a healthy option that tasted good. Later that year, he began a company to make films and sports events. In 2026, he bought a football club in Spain.

Philanthropy

Lionel Messi has spent much of his career helping children, inspired by his own health struggles as a child. Since 2004, he has worked with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), visiting places like Haiti after a big earthquake to help children there. He became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010 and has supported campaigns for education and helping children with disabilities.

In 2007, Messi started the Leo Messi Foundation to help children get healthcare, education, and sports opportunities. The foundation gives money for medical research, training, and building medical centers around the world. Messi also supports young football players in Argentina and helped build facilities for clubs where he grew up. During tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped workers and donated money to fight the disease. In 2025, he received a special award from the United States for his work helping children worldwide.

Personal life

Lionel Messi has been married to Antonela Roccuzzo since 2017. They have three sons together. Messi keeps close ties with his family, especially his mother, and his family helps manage his work and charity activities.

Messi faced some trouble with taxes in 2013. He and his father had to pay extra money and received suspended prison sentences, but Messi said he trusted his dad and lawyers to handle those matters.

Career statistics

International

See also: List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi

Honours

For a comprehensive listing of Messi's achievements, see List of career achievements by Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi has won many important awards and trophies throughout his career. He has played for several top teams and has helped them win leagues, cups, and international competitions.