lionel messi biography and net worth

Lionel Messi

2024 the world's highest-paid athletes earnings.

• Messi claimed the Ballon d'Or as the world's best soccer player for a record eighth time in 2023, putting him three ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
• He transferred to Paris Saint-Germain from FC Barcelona in August 2021, leaving the only professional home he had ever known. He then jumped to MLS's Inter Miami in July 2023.
• A contract leak in January 2021 showed Messi was making much more at Barcelona than previously thought; he was able to earn up to $165 million annually in salary and incentives.
• In March 2022, he signed an endorsement deal with fan engagement app Socios that was set to pay him $20 million annually.
• He launched his own clothing line and opened his first retail outlet, the Messi Store, in 2019 in Barcelona. He also has a lifelong deal with Adidas.

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Lionel Messi is among the highest-paid athletes on the planet. Here's his net worth and how he makes and spends his millions.

• Lionel Messi is among the highest-paid athletes on the planet.
• He took home $130 million between May 2022 and May 2023, according to Forbes .
• Here's how the Argentinian soccer legend makes and spends his considerable fortune.

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous athletes on the planet.

He's also one of the wealthiest.

With an unprecedented eight Ballon d'Ors to his name and a World Cup title added to his list of accolades, the Argentine soccer legend is undeniably the most decorated man in his sport. And all that success on the pitch has come with an incredible fortune.

Messi ranks second on Forbes' list of the year's highest-paid athletes, having raked in a whopping $130 million between May 2022 and May 2023. Having landed within the top-five highest-earning athletes on that list every year since 2014, the Inter Miami star has amassed a massive net worth that allows him to life a life of luxury.

Here's how he makes and spends his millions:

Lionel Messi makes a ton of money on the field.

Messi took home a mind-boggling $65 million in on-field earnings over the last year — more than all but one soccer player on the planet.

His Inter Miami salary alone is worth $20,446,667 annually, per AP News , which means he earns roughly $393,000 per week or $56,000 per day from the Major League Soccer club. And those metrics don't even include Messi's added income from his signing bonus and equity in the team, which may add up to a whopping $150 million over 2.5 years, according to Sportico .

Plus, joining the US-based league reportedly came with incentives from MLS' partners — Adidas and Apple TV — so his total income is likely closer to $200 million.

The Argentine also earns plenty of money away from the pitch.

Messi's off-field earnings of $65 million   over the last year can only be topped by tennis icon Roger Federer, fellow soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, and NBA legend LeBron James , per Forbes .

On top of a $20 million-a-year partnership  with cryptocurrency "fan token" platform Socios — which he inked in March 2022, according to Forbes — the 36-year-old's endorsement portfolio includes deals with Budweiser, Gatorade, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Mastercard, and PepsiCo. In 2021, Messi also became Hard Rock International's first-ever athlete brand ambassador.

But the crown jewel of Messi's already-lucrative endorsement portfolio is his gargantuan deal with Adidas. The sportswear giant has long sponsored the speedy superstar, but in 2017, he signed a new contract with the brand for a reported $25 million annually , for life .

Messi is estimated to have a net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Though no official measure of Messi's total fortune is publicly available, sources like Newsweek and Goal estimate that his net worth falls somewhere between $400 million and $600 million.

In 2022, Forbes also reported that the soccer great had earned a whopping $1.15 billion  — yes, with a B — over the course of his career. Only three currently active athletes – LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tiger Woods – have ever earned more. Just two additional athletes — Roger Federer and Floyd Mayweather — exceeded $1 billion while they were active in their careers, per Forbes.

Messi likes to spend his money on luxury cars.

According to Goal, Messi's impressive car collection includes a $2 million Pagani Zonda Tricolore, a Ferrari F430 Spyder, a Dodge Charger SRT8, and a Maserati Gran Turismo.

The Argentine is rumored to have bought the most expensive car ever, a 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Spider Scaglietti, for $37 million in 2016. He appeared to deny the speculation, however, by way of an Instagram post in which he shared a photo of himself holding up a toy car with the caption, "My new car."

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

He owns a host of stunning properties.

Messi has a rather luxurious real estate portfolio, which includes his stunning $7 million mansion on the outskirts of Barcelona.

Located in the exclusive, no-fly zone suburb of Castelldefels, the property includes a pool, indoor gym, theater, and spa. The home also boasts stunning views of the Catalan mountains and the nearby beach, according to Architectural Digest.

There's also a football pitch where Messi likes to kick a ball around with his dog, Hulk.

Messi also owns an "eco-house" themed around his career, a mansion in his home town of Rosario, Argentina, and the entire floor of a luxury condominium in Saint Isles Beach, Florida, which he paid $7.3 million for in 2021,  according to The Real Deal .

Once he decided to sign with Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi moved his family into a $10.75 million waterfront mansion in nearby Fort Lauderdale, per WPTV . The eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom home has a three-car garage, outdoor pool with a waterfall, and plenty of space for his three sons to spread out.

Messi has also invested in a number of hotels.

Since 2017, Messi has owned the hotel chain MiM Hotels, operated by Majestic Hotel Group, which has resorts in Ibiza, Majorca, and more.

In 2021, the chain opened its first winter resort in the the heart of the Pyrenees, in the Aran Valley.

The four-star hotel has 141 rooms and includes a spa, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and mountain guide services, according to Forbes .

The brand also had a hotel in Barcelona, but it's since been shut down. Messi bought the building in 2017 for $35 million, at which point its demolition had already been approved because its balconies are too big.

He was unable to fix the issue, as any attempt to remove or downsize the balconies could result in the hotel collapsing.

Whoops. 

To get around the world, Messi flies in his $15 million private jet.

Messi's 2004 Gulfstream V private jet, includes two kitchens and bathrooms, and can accommodate up to sixteen passengers, according to the South Morning China Post.

It features the number 10 – his shirt number from his time at Barcelona – on its tail and the names of his wife, Antonella, and their children on its steps.

—Xinhua Sports (@XHSports) December 11, 2018

He likes to vacation in Ibiza.

Last summer, Messi celebrated his 35th birthday with his family at the Ushuaia, a beach hotel in Ibiza.

The soccer star's former Barcelona teammates Cesc Fabregas and Luis Suarez and their wives also joined.

Messi is very generous with his wealth.

The Lionel Messi Foundation, formed in 2007 in partnership with UNICEF, helps vulnerable children around the world.

In 2017, Messi donated his own money to help the foundation build classrooms for 1,600 war-orphaned children in Syria, according to UNICEF,  while in 2019, the foundation donated $218,000 to provide food and water for citizens in Kenya, reports Goal .

A post shared by Fundación Leo Messi (@fundacionleomessi)

"It excites me every day that I get a child smiling, when he thinks there is hope, when I see that they feel happy," reads a statement from Messi on the foundation's website.

"That's why we decided to create the Leo Messi Foundation, and I will continue to fight to make the children happy with the same strength and dedication that I need to continue being a soccer player."

• Main content

Lionel Messi Net Worth

Lionel messi's salary.

Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts

$1 billion saudi contract, inter miami, adidas endorsement, visit saudi endorsement deal, 2022 world cup, personal life, real estate, what is lionel messi's net worth.

Lionel Messi is an Argentinian-born professional athlete who has a net worth of $650 million. Lionel Messi is often regarded as the best soccer player in the world and one of the best in history. He is certainly one of, if not THE, highest-paid player in history.

Messi earned the majority of his early net worth as a striker and winger for FC Barcelona. He played for Barcelona from his teenage years through 2021. During his time with Barcelona, Lionel scored 672 goals in 778 games. On August 10, 2021, it was announced that Lionel would move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. He also plays for the Argentina National Team. On December 18, 2022, Lionel and the Argentina National team won the World Cup.

Messi is likely the highest-paid soccer player in the world and definitely one of the highest-paid athletes in the world overall. His earth-shattering 2017 contract with Barcelona gave Messi an average base annual salary of $168 million. He also earns roughly $40 million per year from endorsements, which meant under that contract he was making around $200 million per year.

Despite what you might have read in some lower-quality sources, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. By the time his contract with Barcelona was over, with endorsements, Lionel had earned north of $1.3 billion. By our count, he has earned around $900 million in salary to date and $400 million from endorsements. Some outlets misread that stat and declared him a "billionaire."

On August 5, 2020, Barcelona announced it could not afford to re-sign Messi and he would therefore be seeking contracts from other teams. Five days later, Lionel announced he had signed with Paris Saint-Germain. Lionel's contract with Paris Saint-Germain paid a salary of $75 million per year. The contract has an option for a third year.

He was reportedly willing to accept a 50% pay cut to stay with Barcelona, but league rules forbade this from happening. Even at a 50% pay cut, Barcelona's salaries would have equated to 110% of club revenue when league rules require that number to be 70%.

On June 7, 2023, Lionel announced that he was joining David Beckham's MLS team, Inter Miami, under a very unique deal that includes a revenue share of subscriptions sold by Apple's coverage of the MLS season. More details on this contract in a moment…

• Barcelona contract paid him $160 million per year
• Makes $40-60 million per year from endorsements
• Is the highest paid athlete on the planet
• Total annual income typically tops $200 million
• Has earned over $1.3 billion in his career from all sources
• Has earned around $900m in salary
• Has earned around $400 million from endorsements

When he was at his peak with Barcelona, Lionel Messi was easily the highest-paid soccer player in the world. In 2017, he signed a contract with Barcelona that paid a base salary of $168 million. His contract numbers were a closely guarded secret for several years, but in January 2021, the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo" published the leaked contract details. Under a previous contract, his annual base salary was $44.68 million.

In August 2021, Lionel signed with Paris Saint-Germain. His initial contract is a two-year deal that works out to $75 million per year before taxes, roughly $40 million after taxes. Messi's contract also allows him to earn additional bonuses based on milestones and a cut of jersey sales.

Messi earns an additional $40 million every year from endorsements. He has a lifetime endorsement deal with Adidas. Between June 2018 and June 2019, he earned a staggering $130 million. Messi has been featured on the covers of the "Pro Evolution Soccer 2009" and "Pro Evolution Soccer 2011" video games. He and Fernando Torres are the faces of the "Pro Evolution Soccer 2010" video game and helped out with the trailer and motion capturing.

In May 2023, it was reported that Lionel Messi was on the verge of signing a $1 billion contract with an unnamed Saudi Pro League team. The deal would reportedly pay Lionel a salary of $400 MILLION per season.

If true, that annual salary would nearly double the 2.5-year, $535 million deal that Cristiano Ronaldo accepted in December of 2022 from a Saudi Pro League team called Al Nassr.

In a new development, on June 7, 2023, it was reported that Messi intended to sign with Inter Miami of MLS, the David Beckham co-owned American franchise. Reportedly, the deal would pay him a salary of $1.03 million per week ($54 million a year) over four years. In an interesting twist, Messi's Miami contract will be supplemented by a rev share of subscriptions sold by Apple to its MLS Season Pass.

Being as he is one of the most famous and recognizable athletes in the world; Messi has been sponsored by Adidas since 2006. He is their leading brand endorser. He was originally signed with Nike at age 14 but switched to Adidas. In 2008, Messi had a long-running signature collection of Adidas boots and received his own sub-brand of boots called Adidas Messi.

According to a contract that was leaked in June 2023, back in January 2021, Lionel signed a three-year contract that has the ability to pay him $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia . The contract requires Lionel to do the following:

#1) Take an annual vacation to Saudi Arabia. He can bring up to 20 friends. All expenses are paid, including travel and five-star accommodations. The vacation must last a minimum of five days.

#2) Make ten social media posts per year that promote Saudi Arabia using hashtags that are approved by the kingdom.

#3) Participate in an annual tourism ad campaign. Last year that meant appearing in a single promotional video for Visit Saudi.

For #2 and #3 above, he is paid $2 million per obligation per year. He can then make another $2 million per year to participate in "charitable work."

Total it all up, and over three years, Lionel can earn $25 million for relatively little work. But there is one condition: According to the contract viewed by the Times, Lionel "cannot say anything that might 'tarnish' Saudi Arabia.'"

Francois Nel/Getty Images

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, was a factory steelworker, and his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was a part-time cleaner. He is close to his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and a sister, Maria Sol, and the family would constantly play soccer together along with their cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom went on to become professional footballers as well. Messi joined the Rosario soccer club when he was just six years old and played for Newell's Old Boys.

When Lionel was ten, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, and his father could no longer afford medical treatment for him. Newell's agreed to contribute but later took back their promise. The Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, Carles Rexach, offered to pay the medical bills if Messi could move to Spain. With Lionel's father's approval, Rexach drew up a contract on a paper napkin, and the family moved to Barcelona in February 2001. They moved into an apartment near Camp Nou, the club's stadium. Messi suffered homesickness after his mother and siblings returned to Rosario while he stayed in Barcelona with his father. After a year, Messi was enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, where he became a part of the "Baby Dream Team," Barcelona's greatest collection of young soccer players.

At the age of 17, Lionel made his league debut against RCD Espanyol and became the third-youngest person ever to play for FC Barcelona. At that time, he was also the youngest player to ever score for Barcelona. During the 2005-2006 season, Messi began being paid as a first-team member and also got his Spanish citizenship. He also made his debut in the Spanish First Division league. Messi received a standing ovation during his first match after he scored alongside superstar Ronaldinho . Out of his seventeen League appearances, he scored six goals. He scored one goal in six for the Champions League. In 2006, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in the FIFA World Cup.

After the World Cup, in the 2006-2007 season, Messi was injured with a broken metatarsal, which took three months to heal. He was back in the game against Racing Santander as a second-hand substitute. In March of that season, he scored a hat trick against Real Madrid, which made him the first player since Ivan Zamorano to do so in the El Clasico. In the 2007-2008 season, Messi led Barcelona into the top four of La Liga. He won the nomination, as a forward, for a FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award, and the Marca newspaper named him the best player in the world. Other newspapers followed and stated that Lionel should be awarded the Ballon d'Or. He finally won his first in 2009, at age 22, and went on to win three more in a row each year. He also obtained an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2012, he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season. This sealed his fate as Barcelona's all-time top scorer. In the next two seasons, Messi, now the team captain for Barcelona, finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind career rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, Messi led Argentina to the finals of the World Cup, for which he also won the Golden Ball. Lionel announced his retirement in 2016 but reversed his decision and led Argentina to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They also finished third at the 2019 Copa America. In 2019, Messi secured a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or.

On December 18, Lionel and his Argentina teammates defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final. Not including penalty kicks, Lionel had two goals in the game, which went to over time and then a shootout.

Getty Images

Messi is the founder of the Leo Messi Foundation, which helps find better opportunities for underprivileged children regarding education and health care. He started the charity in 2007 following a visit to a Boston children's hospital, an experience that he has said deeply changed him. His foundation, with the help of Herbalife, helps to pay for medical treatment, transportation and recuperation for children diagnosed with major medical problems. Messi is also the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since March 2010. He completed a field mission for UNICEF, traveling to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children following the recent earthquake.

Lionel also does individual fundraising activities such as global football matches and raising money for various charities. Messi financially supports many youth football clubs in Argentina, such as Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell's, River Plate, and Boca Junior. At his boyhood club, Newell's, Messi funded the construction of a new gym and dorm inside the club stadium in 2012. His former coach there is employed by the Messi Foundation and works as a talent scout for young players.

In March 2020, Messi made a $1 million donation to help fight the spread of coronavirus. In addition, Lionel and his fellow Barcelona Football Club teammates took a 70 percent cut in their salaries during the COVID-19 emergency. They did this so that no Barcelona workers would have their wages docked during the global emergency.

Messi has been with Antonella Roccuzzo , a fellow Rosario native, since 2008. They have known each other since they were five years old. They confirmed their romance publicly in January 2009. Messi and Roccuzzo got married in Rosario in June 2007. The couple has three children: Thiago (b. 2012), Matero (b. 2015), and Ciro (b. 2018). Lionel is still very close to his immediate family members, especially his mother. He has her face tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are run mostly as a family business, with his father having been his agent since Messi was 14. His older brother Rodrigo handles his publicity.

In 2009, Messi paid $2 million for a home in a Barcelona neighborhood called Pedrables. He then spent millions on renovations and upgrades. The home is estimated to be worth $7 – $10 million today.

In November 2019, Lionel paid $5 million for a condo in Miami. In April 2021, he paid $7.3 million for the entire ninth floor of a different building in Miami.

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Lionel Messi: Everything You Need To Know About The Football Player

Arguably one of the most globally recognized football player, Lionel Andrés Messi, also known as Leo Messi, is a professional footballer who leads Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina National Team as a forward. He is not only considered as Argentina’s greatest player of all time but also enjoys a massive global fan following. Messi boasts seven Ballon d’Or awards and six European Golden Shoes, earning recognition as the best in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team of 2020.  

He has nearly 750 goals for club and country, and holds the record for most goals scored by a person for a single club, which was for his former team, FC Barcelona. At the age of 22, he won his first Ballon d’Or. Messi has a huge bank account, but he is generally very private about his financial situation.

Table of Contents

• Born: June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
• Birth name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Nicknames: La Pulga, Leo Messi, The G.O.A.T
• Height: 5′ 6¾″ (1.69 m)

Forbes estimates Messi’s net worth to be about $600 million (£464 million), with his total career earnings predicted to be $1.28 billion in 2023. These statistics, however, are speculative, especially given that his business activities are not generally recognised.

The World Cup winner came in second on Forbes’ 2023 list of the highest paid athlete in the world , with claimed earnings of $130 million, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo , whose move to Saudi Arabia helped him top the list.

Personal Life:

Lionel Messi’s family has a long history with football. He is the son of manufacturing steel worker Jorge Horacio Messi and part-time cleaner Celia Maria Cuccittini. Messi is the eldest of three children, with two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and one sister, Maria Sol.

Football was a shared passion in their family, with brothers and cousins frequently participating. Notably, Messi’s cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi followed professional football careers.

Messi has a deep link with his immediate family, so much so that he has a tattoo of his mother’s face on his left shoulder. His father has been his agent his entire life, and his brother Rodrigo handles all of his Public Relations (PR) and publicity-related issues.

In terms of his personal life, Lionel began dating Antonella Roccuzzo in 2008. Despite having known each other for much of their lives, the pair announced their relationship in January 2009. The couple finally married in Rosario in June of 2007. In fact, they have three lovely children named Thiago (born in 2012), Matero (born in 2015), and Ciro (born in 2018).

International- On 17 th August, 2005(Argentina against Hungary)

Club- On 16 th October, 2004 (FC Barcelona against Espanyol)

1992-1995: Grandoli (Argentina)

1995-2000: Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina)

2000-2021: Barcelona (Spain)

2021-2023: PSG (France)

2023-current: Inter Miami (USA)

Top Achievements:

• Youngest two-time and three-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner (at 23 and 24 years old).
• Holder of the most UEFA Best Player in Europe awards (2009, 2011, 2015).
• Recipient of the most La Liga Best Player awards (2009-2013, 2015).
• Record holder for one of the highest goal scorers for both country and club in a calendar year (91 goals in 2012).
• Leading all-time goalscorer in La Liga (312 goals).
• Co-holder of the top goalscorer title in the FIFA Club World Cup (shared with Luis Suárez and César Delgado).
• Joint record holder for the most hat-tricks scored in a La Liga season (8 in 2011-2012, tied with Cristiano Ronaldo).
• The only player in La Liga to score against all rival teams in a row (30 goals in 19 matches in 2012-13).
• Multiple-time recipient of the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball Award.
• Youngest player to achieve 200 goals in La Liga in 2013.
• Sole player to secure the top-scorer position in 5 UEFA Champions League seasons (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015).
• Record holder for the most hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League, with five to his name.
• Youngest player to reach 100 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, achieving this feat at the age of 28 years and 84 days in 2015.
• All-time top-goalscorer of Argentina.
• All-time record scorer for a single club, surpassing Pele with his 644th goal in December 2020.

Awards & Achievements:

• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
• UEFA Goal of the Season (2006–07, 2014–15, 2015–16)
• La Liga Best Player (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15)
• FIFA Club World Cup Final Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2009, 2011
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
• FIFA Ballon d’Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019
• European Golden Boot: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014
• UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award: 2011, 2015
• Best FIFA Men’s Player Award: 2023

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What Lionel Messi’s Move to Inter Miami Could Mean for His Net Worth

According to Forbes , Messi is the world’s second highest-paid athlete.

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BBC Radio contributor Guillem Balague first reported Wednesday the 35-year-old Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, has decided to sign with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer for next season. Messi confirmed the news to two Spanish media outlets, according to ESPN .

Although Inter Miami hasn’t made an official announcement, the MLS released a statement Wednesday saying, “Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.”

Messi’s contract with current French Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of this month, sparking rampant speculation about where the star scorer, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in December, would continue his career. A move to the MLS would mark one of the biggest boosts in star power in league history, comparable to David Beckham ’s decision to leave Real Madrid for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Messi is already a global superstar—with 469 million Instagram followers—and one of the richest athletes in the world, so how would a move to America affect him financially? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

Messi is second on Forbes ’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, released in early May. Messi earned $130 million in on- and off-field revenue over the past year, behind only fellow soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo ($136 million).

Additionally, Forbes reported in June 2022 that Messi had earned $1.15 billion over the course of his career—fourth all-time among athletes from all sports. He’s only behind golfer Tiger Woods , Ronaldo, and NBA superstar LeBron James .

Celebrity Net Worth estimates Messi’s overall net worth to be roughly $600 million.

How Would an MLS Move Affect Messi?

At least in terms of on-field earnings, Messi’s cash flow would likely increase in the MLS. SPORT reported last week that Inter Miami offered Messi a four-year contract averaging $54 million—larger than the reported $41 million value of his last extension with Paris Saint-Germain. However, the PSG deal also included a $30 million signing bonus and money from player image rights.

Financial terms of any potential contract between Messi and Miami were unknown as of Wednesday afternoon, but The Athletic reported that MLS television partner Apple and clothing sponsor Adidas each offered him profit-sharing agreements to entice him to join the club.

Messi earns additional millions through a number of high-profile endorsements. In 2022, he signed a deal with fan engagement app Socios expected to net him $20 million annually. Messi is also partnered with PepsiCo, Gatorade, Hard Rock Cafe, and Mastercard. He already netted a lifetime deal with Adidas worth $25 million annually, according to Insider .

Messi also has his own clothing brand and opened a retail store in Barcelona, Spain, in 2019.

Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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Lionel Messi Net Worth: Biography, Personal Life, Career

Lionel messi net worth, biography.

With his unrivaled talent, groundbreaking achievements, and mass global appeal, Lionel Messi stands out as soccer’s greatest modern superstar. His success on the pitch has earned him immense financial rewards as well. This article explores Messi’s upbringing, career, honors, endorsements, investments, and record-high net worth.

Table of Contents

Ket Takeaways

Here is a summary of the key points about Lionel Messi’s biography, personal life, and career:

• Born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. Began playing soccer from a young age.
• Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a child, which FC Barcelona agreed to pay treatment for if he moved to Spain and joined their youth academy.
• Debuted for Barcelona’s first team in 2004 at age 17. Went on to become their all-time top scorer with 672 goals and led them to numerous trophies including 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles.
• Key achievements include record 7 Ballon d’Or awards, 6 European Golden Shoes, and 6 FIFA Player of the Year awards. Holds records for most goals scored in a calendar year (91), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36), and most assists in La Liga (192).
• Played for Argentina’s national team from 2005-2016, then returned from retirement to lead them to 2021 Copa America win and 2022 FIFA World Cup win, receiving Golden Ball at both tournaments. Argentina’s all-time top scorer.
• Married Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood friend, in 2017. They have three sons together – Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
• Signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 after leaving Barcelona, winning two Ligue 1 titles. Joined Inter Miami in 2023.
• Has lucrative sponsorship deals with Adidas, Pepsi, Gillette, and more. Among the highest paid athletes in the world, with career earnings over $1 billion.

Messi’s Early Life in Argentina

Born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Andrés Messi came from an athletic family. His father worked in a steel factory and coached local youth soccer teams. Messi joined his first team at age 5.

At 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The costly hormone injections needed to treat his condition nearly jeopardized his soccer career. However, Barcelona’s top club eventually agreed to pay for his treatment and moved him to Spain to join its youth academy.

Becoming Barcelona’s Shining Star

Messi’s prodigious talent became undeniable during his ascent through Barcelona’s youth teams. At 17, he made his La Liga debut for Barcelona’s senior squad in 2004.

In his first full season, Messi netted 8 league goals. Then in the 2006-07 season, he scored a remarkable 17 goals and led Barcelona to a La Liga title. It marked the beginning of an era of unprecedented dominance for the club catalyzed by Messi’s brilliance.

With his combination of speed, precise skill, and lethal finishing ability, Messi matured into the lynchpin of Barcelona’s offense. His exhilarating individual displays on the ball earned him the nickname “The Flea.”

By 2009, the 22-year-old Messi earned his first of a record seven Ballon d’Or awards recognizing the world’s best player. His exploits led Barcelona to a historic sextuple of trophies that year.

Shattering Records for Barcelona

As Messi entered his prime, his domination reached new heights. He scored a jaw-dropping 73 goals in all competitions during the 2011-12 season. His 50 league goals that season set a new European record.

In 2012, Messi netted a remarkable 91 goals overall, surpassing German legend Gerd Müller’s 40-year-old calendar year scoring record. With his combination of creativity and clinical scoring, Messi was simply unstoppable match after match.

During his 17-season tenure with Barcelona, Messi broke essentially every significant club goalscoring mark, including:

• Most goals in La Liga history (474)
• Most goals in a La Liga season (50)
• Most goals in El Clásico vs. Real Madrid (26)
• Most goals in UEFA Champions League history (120)

With Messi as the centerpiece, Barcelona won 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa Del Rey crowns, and 4 Champions Leagues from 2005 to 2021. His 672 goals for the club may never be matched.

International Stardom with Argentina

Despite his club success with Barcelona, honors eluded Messi with the Argentine national team for years. He helped lead Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final, but they lost 1-0 to Germany in extra time.

In 2016, Messi stunnedly announced his retirement from international soccer after Argentina again lost to Chile in the Copa America final. But he returned to spearhead their 2018 World Cup efforts.

After four World Cup appearances and six Copa Americas without a title, Messi finally led Argentina to glory by winning the 2021 Copa America. At age 34, he fulfilled his long-sought dream of winning his first major crown for his homeland.

Transferring to PSG and Milestones in Ligue 1

In August 2021, Messi shocked soccer fans by transferring to Paris Saint-Germain after Barcelona’s financial turmoil meant they could not re-sign him. The move closed his illustrious 17-year Barcelona career.

Despite a slow start, Messi soon found his scoring form for the French champions. On December 22, 2021, he recorded his 757th career goal to break the all-time scoring record previously held by Pelé.

Messi went on to win Ligue 1 Best Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season. But his main focus is leading PSG to its first-ever Champions League title.

Every football viewer loves Messi. People wear his t-shirts, Jewelry and even use the wallpapers. Messi 4k wallpapers have become a popular choice for many, as they offer a visually captivating tribute to his brilliance on and off the field. These wallpapers often capture the essence of Messi’s dynamic playing style, his infectious smile, and his numerous accolades.

Analyzing Lionel Messi’s Wealth

• Current Salary :  $75 million per year with PSG through 2024
• Career Earnings:  Over $1 billion since 2005
• Endorsements:  $35 million annually from sponsorships like Adidas, PepsiCo, Budweiser, and more
• Net Worth Estimate:  Approximately $620 million

Messi’s combination of record-high salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and investments has made him soccer’s richest player. His net worth is expected to keep rising through the end of his playing career and into retirement.

Messi’s Legacy in Soccer

Lionel Messi has crafted an astounding legacy as the greatest goalscorer and arguably the most dominant player the sport has ever seen. His vision, technique, creativity, consistency, and championship pedigree establish him as a soccer legend for the ages.

Messi’s impact has stretched from his record-shattering feats with Barcelona to bringing glory to Argentina. While soccer fans eagerly anticipate each match to witness more Messi magic before he retires, his indelible mark on the game is already set.

Career Beginnings and Early Success

Messi’s career began with his start in soccer at a young age, and he quickly found success after joining Newells Old Boys academy. At the age of 13, Messi caught the attention of Barcelona coach Carles Rexach during a trial match.

Impressed by his skills, Rexach immediately offered him a contract with the club. Messi made his debut for FC Barcelona at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player to ever play for the club. His early success continued as he played a vital role in Argentina’s triumph in the 2008 Olympics.

This marked the beginning of Messi’s rise to stardom, setting the stage for his incredible achievements with Barcelona and the national team.

Rise to Stardom and Achievements With Barcelona

During his time with Barcelona, Messi achieved numerous accolades and set multiple records, solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Messi’s rise to stardom began with his emergence as Barcelona’s new superstar. He quickly became the driving force behind the team’s success, leading them to their first treble in club history. Messi played a pivotal role in the treble-winning team, showcasing his exceptional skills and scoring ability.

Throughout his career, he continued to break records and win individual awards, including multiple Ballon d’Or titles. One of his most notable achievements with Barcelona was the first sextuple in soccer history, where the team won six major trophies in one season.

Messi’s incredible performances and achievements with Barcelona cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport.

Challenges With the National Team and Last Successful Years With Barcelona

In his last three successful years with Barcelona, Messi faced several challenges with the national team, including disappointments in the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Copa America. Despite being one of the best players in the world, Messi struggled to replicate his club’s success on the international stage. Some of the challenges he faced include:

• Lack of team cohesion and chemistry: Messi struggled to find the same level of understanding and chemistry with his national teammates as he did with his Barcelona teammates.
• High expectations and pressure: As the face of Argentine football, Messi faced immense pressure and expectations to deliver success for his country. This added pressure often led to criticism and comparisons with legendary Argentine player Diego Maradona.

Despite these challenges, Messi continued to give his all for the national team. While success with Argentina remained elusive, he enjoyed tremendous success with Barcelona during this period, winning numerous domestic and international titles.

Redemption With Argentina and New Adventure in Paris

After winning the Copa America in 2021, Lionel Messi embarked on a new adventure in Paris by signing with Paris Saint-Germain. This move marked a significant change in Messi’s career, as he left FC Barcelona after spending his entire professional career at the club.

Joining Paris Saint-Germain allowed Messi to continue competing at the highest level and chase new titles. However, his start in Paris wasn’t without its challenges. Messi faced initial struggles as he adapted to a new team, league, and playing style. Nevertheless, his determination to prove himself in his new club remained strong.

With the support of his teammates and coaches, Messi aimed to make a mark in Paris and continue adding to his impressive list of achievements.

Legacy and Impact on the World of Soccer

Throughout his illustrious career, Lionel Messi has left an indelible mark on the world of soccer and his impact on the sport is undeniable. Messi’s legacy and influence can be seen in various aspects of the game:

Playing Style:

• Messi’s unique style of play, characterized by his exceptional dribbling, close ball control, and agility, has inspired countless young players to emulate his technique.
• His ability to change the course of a game single-handedly has made him a role model for aspiring footballers worldwide.

Records and Achievements:

• Messi holds numerous records, including the most goals scored in a calendar year and the most goals in a single season in Europe’s top leagues.
• His six Ballon d’Or awards highlight his dominance and consistent excellence throughout his career.

Messi’s impact extends beyond the field, as he’s used his platform for charitable initiatives and social causes, further solidifying his legacy as not just a phenomenal player, but also a role model and ambassador for the sport.

How Does Lionel Messi’s Net Worth Compare to Reese Witherspoon’s?

Lionel Messi’s net worth towers over Reese Witherspoon’s. As a world-renowned soccer player, Messi has amassed a staggering net worth of $400 million, while Reese Witherspoon’s net worth is estimated at a still impressive $200 million. The two may be in different industries, but Messi’s wealth surpasses that of the talented actress.

FAQs About Lionel Messi

How many goals has messi scored in his career.

As of February 2023, Lionel Messi has scored 798 career goals for club and country. This includes 672 goals for Barcelona and 98 goals for Argentina.

How much does Messi make a week?

Currently with PSG, Lionel Messi has a salary of around $75 million per year. That equates to roughly $1.44 million per week.

What major trophies has Messi won?

Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards. With Barcelona he won 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copas del Rey, and 4 UEFA Champions Leagues. For Argentina, he finally won a major international title with the 2021 Copa América.

How many Champions Leagues has Messi won?

Messi has won four UEFA Champions League titles – in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 – all during his tenure with Barcelona.

Why did Messi leave Barcelona?

In 2021, Barcelona lost Messi as a free agent due to the club’s financial turmoil. Barcelona’s ballooning debts meant they could not re-sign Messi and stay within La Liga’s salary spending limits, forcing his shocking exit after 17 seasons.

What tattoo does Messi have?

Messi has a tattoo of his son’s name and handprints on his left calf. He also has a tattoo on his left shoulder showing his mother’s face.

How much is Messi’s house worth?

Messi owns a luxury mansion called Hotel MiM Sitges outside Barcelona worth over $8 million. He bought the hotel boutique property for $7.3 million in 2017. The mansion has a gym, spa, indoor pool, and more.

What businesses does Messi own?

Messi owns a portfolio of investments and businesses outside soccer. He has his own fashion brand MGO, a chain of gyms, a luxury hotel, wine companies, a restaurant, and real estate holdings across Europe.

How much money does Messi donate?

Messi engages in extensive philanthropy, especially for children’s charities. He has donated over $5 million to charitable causes like Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, and the Red Cross through his Leo Messi Foundation.

Final Thoughts

Lionel Messi’s brilliance and achievements in soccer have made him a global icon. With his combination of athletic prowess and technical skill, Messi dominated for nearly two decades at Barcelona while earning a fortune in salary and sponsorships along the way.

His career continues at the highest level with PSG as he eyes more trophies and records. Messi’s legacy as the greatest of all time is firmly cemented.

Russell Levi is a versatile writer exploring myriad topics across categories. With a journalistic background and insatiable curiosity, Russell delivers engaging content spanning tech, finance, travel, and lifestyle. His concise yet informative style offers readers a diverse range of insights, making every visit to his blog an enriching experience.

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Everything to know about Lionel Messi: Trophies, contract, salary, net worth, wife and family of Argentina star

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of football, with many even considering him the greatest of all time.

And in Qatar, Messi finally led Argentina to the pinnacle of the sport at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a trophy he had not managed to conquer until now.

The former Barcelona star, who plays at club level for PSG in France, has had a legendary career, both at club level and now on the international stage with Argentina.

As one of the sport's most talented forwards, 'Leo' has scored and assisted goals in record fashion, with his highlights regularly making the rounds across the globe.

The Sporting News brings you everything you wanted to know about the generational talent known as 'La Pulga' (The Flea) as he finally caps off his career with the greatest trophy of all.

Lionel Messi contract, salary at PSG

For 17 seasons, Messi was synonymous with the shirt of Spain's Barcelona, the club he joined as a boy and subsequently led to countless trophies.

When he became a free agent in the summer of 2021 he decided to leave the only club he'd ever known — it was a club in turmoil due to a period of financial mismanagement — and he joined PSG on a free transfer, helping them to a French league title in his first season.

Upon arriving in the French capital, Messi signed a two-year contract with an option for a third season, which if exercised will take him into the summer of 2024. By then he hopes to have led PSG to its first UEFA Champions League title, a dream in which the club owners have invested heavily, including by signing Messi.

According to a report by French publication L'Equipe , Messi's contract at PSG sees him earn €110 million over the life of the three-year deal, with €30 million paid the first season, and €40 million through each of the final two campaigns. The financials of Messi's deal are identical to that of his Brazilian teammate Neymar, according to the report.

There had been whispers of PSG looking to extend Messi's contract beyond the current limits of the deal, and as soon as he completed his triumphant run at the 2022 World Cup, those whispers grew louder. On December 21, Fabrizio Romano reported that Messi had decided to turn down a move elsewhere and verbally agreed to a contract extension at PSG. There are no details hashed out yet, according to Romano, simply an agreement to negotiate a new deal and as of January 2023, PSG are still yet to officially announce anything.

Lionel Messi trophies won

Lionel Messi has won countless trophies throughout his glittering career, although those at the international level had proved hard to come by until his success in Qatar.

He won 10 La Liga titles (Spanish league), seven Spanish Copa del Rey crowns, and four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona before departing the club in the summer of 2021.

Messi captured the French Ligue 1 in his first season with PSG, with the Champions League and French Cup (Coupe de France) still on the to-do list with Les Parisiens.

Trophies won at Barcelona

Trophies won at PSG

Trophies won with Argentina

Lionel Messi Barcelona, PSG club career

Messi began his career as a youth player with his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina. However, he would move on at a young age, heading to Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy in 2000 as a 13-year-old. In Spain he would also receive medical treatments for a growth hormone disorder.

Messi made his professional debut for Barcelona as an 18-year-old in 2004, coming on for the final eight minutes of a 1-0 league win over derby rivals Espanyol on October 16. He scored his first professional goal later that season, helping Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Albacete on May 1, 2015.

From there, Messi quickly rose into a first-team player, becoming a regular starter the following season. He would go on to become a Barcelona legend, making 778 total appearances for the Catalan club and scoring 672 goals, assisting 303 more. He won four Champions League titles, 10 La Liga championships, and seven Copa del Rey titles, while becoming the Spanish top flight's leading goalscorer eight times.

In the summer of 2021, with Messi's gargantuan Barcelona contract expiring and the club facing significant financial difficulties, they were forced to let Messi go for free to ease the wage bill and meet player wage limits set by the Spanish league. It was a difficult but necessary decision to balance the books.

PSG's Qatari ownership group took advantage, signing Messi to a three-year deal in the hopes that the legendary forward could help the club secure the elusive Champions League crown they've chased for years.

Lionel Messi international career with Argentina

The World Cup in Qatar in 2022 has finally taken Messi's career with his national team to new heights.

While he established himself as a world superstar at Barcelona, most of Messi's international career prior to 2022 had been defined by how close he'd come to hoisting trophies for his national team, rather than actually winning the silverware.

He won his first major trophy with the senior Argentina side at the Copa America in 2021.

Messi's first morsel of FIFA World Cup action came in 2006, where he served as a bench option for the Albiceleste, but it was too early in his career to leave a mark. Messi watched from the sidelines as Argentina fell to Germany 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

The European nation would prove a consistent thorn in Argentina's side, eliminating them from three of Messi's first four World Cups. One of those head-to-head matchups came in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, where Germany scored the only goal in extra time to win the title, denying Messi, who won the Golden Ball for best player in that tournament.

In addition to the World Cup disappointments, there was plenty of heartbreak in the Copa America, the South American championship for national teams. Argentina reached the final in three of four tournaments between 2007-2016 and lost all three, including two on penalty kicks to Chile.

But Messi's moment finally came in the 2021 Copa America, where he willed his team to victory, hoisting his first international trophy with the senior men's side. Messi scored four goals and assisted five, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final thanks to an absolute stunner from his close friend Angel Di Maria.

With that triumph in recent memory, he also completed  a comprehensive 3-0 win over European champions Italy in the first edition of the Finalissima in June 2022.

Messi and Argentina entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup on a 36-match unbeaten streak, second-most all-time and one short of the record set by Italy. That run was sensationally ended in their opening match against Saudi Arabia, prompting an outcry back at home .

However, Messi ensured there was to be no shock group-stage exit, and he went on to score in every round of the tournament as Argentina completed a sensational victory, capped off by winning a final that will go down as arguably the best of all time .

Lionel Messi net worth

According to Insider  and Forbes , Messi was the highest-paid athlete in the 2021/22 season, banking $130 million from May 2021 to May 2022 between salary, endorsements, and other traceable income.

An estimated $75 million of that came from his PSG contractual income, between his $35 million salary,  $25 million signing bonus , and other earnings such as image rights and contract bonuses.

Messi also has millions in endorsement deals with companies like Socios, Pepsi, Adidas, Budweiser, and Hard Rock.

According to entrepreneurial and financial tracking blog Wealthy Gorilla , Lionel Messi's net worth is upwards of $600 million as of August 2022. A  Forbes  report from June 2022 pegged Messi's career earnings haul at over $1.1 billion. That could rise even further after his World Cup win.

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Lionel Messi wife & family

Messi is married to 34-year-old Argentine model Antonela Roccuzzo, who is from his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

The two reportedly knew each other when they were  five year olds , and  began publicly dating back in 2009 when Messi was just 22 years old. They married in 2017  and have three sons: Thiago (Nov. 2, 2012), Mateo (Sept. 11, 2015), and Ciro (March 10, 2018).

Messi's father, Jorge Messi, has served as his son's agent for his entire career. It all started when Leo was 13 years old as he moved from Rosario to Catalonia, securing his Barcelona future and simultaneously seeing the club pay for treatment of his GHD diagnosis (Growth Hormone Disorder). Famously, Messi's first Barcelona contract was signed on a napkin.

'Leo' is the third of four children, giving him three siblings. He has two older brothers Rodrigo and Matias, and a younger sister Maria Sol.

Rodrigo is also employed by Leo, handling his schedule and publicity, according to a biography written by Guillem Balague, while his mother Celia and Matias oversee his charitable foundation.

Kyle Bonn is a soccer content producer for The Sporting News.

• Celebrities

Lionel Messi Biography, Career, Net Worth, And Other Interesting Facts

Here's everything you need to know about Footballer Messi, from his early life to his Tax Troubles.

Lionel Messi is an Argentina professional football player born on 24 June 1987. He’s good at what he does and plays as a forward for Inter Miami, a club in Major League Soccer, as well as for the Argentina national team.

Messi is famous for being one of the best players ever. He’s won lots of awards, including eight Ballon d’Or trophies (that’s a big deal in soccer), six European Golden Shoes, and FIFA’s best player award eight times!

Before joining Inter Miami, Messi spent his whole pro career with Barcelona, a club in Spain. He won tons of trophies there, including La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League. With Argentina, he won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Messi is good at scoring goals and making plays happen. He’s broken lots of records, like scoring the most goals in La Liga and having the most international goals by a South American player.

He started playing for Barcelona when he was just 13 years old and made his debut when he was 17. Over the years, he became Barcelona’s top scorer and won several Ballon d’Or awards.

In 2021, Lionel Messi left Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons before moving to Inter Miami in 2023. He’s been successful wherever he’s played, winning titles and making a big impact on the field.

For Argentina, Messi is their all-time leading goal scorer. He’s played in several FIFA World Cups and Copa América tournaments, leading his team to the finals multiple times.

Off the field, Messi is a big deal too. He’s been sponsored by Adidas for many years and has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. He’s also been recognized for his influence, being named among Time’s 100 most influential people and winning awards like the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.

In 2020, Messi became only the second footballer ever to make over $1 billion in earnings. So, not only is he amazing on the soccer field, but he’s also a big deal in the business world too.

From Rosario to Barcelona: Messi’s Journey to Football Stardom

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, on June 24, 1987. He grew up in a family that loved football. His dad worked in a steel factory, and his mom worked in a magnet workshop. He had three brothers and cousins who also played football.

At the age of four, Messi joined a local club called Grandoli. His dad coached him there, but his biggest inspiration was his grandmother, Celia, who always supported him until she passed away when he was eleven.

Messi was a big fan of Newell’s Old Boys, a football club. He joined them when he was six and scored a lot of goals for their youth team. But when he was ten, doctors found out he had a growth hormone deficiency. His family couldn’t afford his treatment, but eventually, he got help from a club in Buenos Aires.

Messi’s family had relatives in Barcelona, so they arranged for him to try out for FC Barcelona when he was thirteen. Even though he was young, the club wanted to sign him. They faced some obstacles, but eventually, he joined them in Spain.

At first, life in Barcelona was tough for Messi. He couldn’t play in official matches for a while because of some rules. He also missed his family back in Argentina. But eventually, he settled in and became part of the team.

After a year in Barcelona’s youth academy, Messi finally got to play in official matches. He became friends with other players like Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué. He also finished his treatment for his growth hormone deficiency.

In his first full season, Messi was the top scorer for Barcelona’s youth team. They won a bunch of trophies, including the league and cups. Even though he got offers from other clubs like Arsenal, he decided to stay in Barcelona.

Messi’s Rise: From Teen Sensation to Football Legend

When Lionel Messi was just 16 years and a few months old, he played his first game for Barcelona’s main team. This happened during a match against Porto in November 2003. He wasn’t a regular starter at first, but under coach Frank Rijkaard, he got more chances to play. His first official game in the league was in October 2004 against Espanyol, and he scored his first goal in May 2005 against Albacete, thanks to an assist from Ronaldinho.

Messi’s early years with Barcelona were quite successful. He helped the team win the league title in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. Although he got injured, he still played a part in winning the Champions League in 2006.

One of Messi’s memorable moments was in March 2007 when he scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid, helping Barcelona tie the game 3–3. However, despite his brilliance, Barcelona didn’t win any trophies in the next two seasons under Rijkaard.

In the 2008–09 season, with Pep Guardiola as the new coach, Messi’s career reached new heights. He, along with Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry, scored a combined total of 100 goals in all competitions. This was a record for the club at that time.

Under Guardiola’s guidance, Lionel Messi’s role evolved and he played as a “false nine” for the first time in May 2009. He had a remarkable performance, scoring twice and assisting once in a 6–2 victory against Real Madrid. This season marked the beginning of a period of unprecedented success for Barcelona.

In 2009, Barcelona became the first club to win six major trophies in a single year. Messi played a crucial role in this success, winning the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. He also won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award for his outstanding performance.

Messi continued to excel in the following seasons, breaking numerous records along the way. He consistently emerged as the top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League. His exceptional goal-scoring abilities earned him multiple Ballon d’Or awards, cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Unraveling Messi’s Soccer Magic: The Artistry of the Atomic Flea

Lionel Messi is good at soccer for a few reasons. First, because he’s short, he can move faster and change direction quickly, which helps him avoid getting tackled by other players. People in Spain even call him “The Atomic Flea” because he’s so quick.

Even though he’s not big, he’s still strong, especially in his upper body. This, combined with his low center of gravity, helps him stay balanced and resist getting knocked over by other players. Plus, his short but strong legs let him sprint fast and keep control of the ball when he’s running with it.

His former coach once said Messi runs faster when he’s dribbling the ball than when he’s not. He’s mostly left-footed, meaning he’s better at using his left foot to kick and pass, but he’s gotten better with his right foot over time.

Messi is famous for scoring goals, partly because he’s good at finding the right position on the field and reacting quickly to opportunities. He’s also great at setting up goals for his teammates with his passing skills.

People often call Lionel Messi a magician because he can make incredible plays happen seemingly out of nowhere. He’s also really good at free kicks and penalty kicks.

When Messi has the ball, he’s a master at dribbling it past opponents, especially during fast breaks. His former coach compared him to other great players and said he’s never seen anyone control the ball as well as Messi.

But Messi isn’t just about individual skill; he’s also a great team player. He works well with his teammates, especially with midfielders like Xavi and Iniesta from his old team, Barcelona.

Lionel Messi is flexible in his playing style. He can attack from anywhere on the field, whether it’s on the sides or through the middle. He started off playing behind two strikers when he was younger but later switched to the wings before moving into a more central attacking role.

As Messi has gotten older, he’s adjusted his playing style. He’s become more of a playmaker, focusing on passing and creating opportunities for his team rather than just scoring goals himself. He’s also learned to conserve his energy better to avoid injuries. With Argentina’s national team, he’s played in various positions depending on what his coaches want.

From Rising Star to Football Icon: Messi’s Journey to Greatness

Lionel Messi was incredibly talented even as a teenager, and by the time he was 18, he was already recognized as one of the best players globally. Diego Maradona, another football legend, thought Messi was on par with Ronaldinho, who had just won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Messi’s skills were so impressive that his coach, Pep Guardiola, called him the best player he had ever seen back in 2009.

Over the years, more and more people started considering Messi as one of the greatest players in history. Even though he hadn’t won a major international trophy with Argentina until the Copa América in 2021, his talent was undeniable. Many fans and experts began seeing Messi as a football icon, especially after he helped Barcelona win multiple titles.

Messi’s style of play often gets compared to Maradona’s. They were both small and had a knack for dribbling with their left foot. Initially, Messi was just one of many young Argentine players dubbed the “New Maradona,” but as his career progressed, he proved he was in a league of his own. People started seeing Messi as the best player Argentina had produced since Maradona.

In Argentina, Lionel Messi wasn’t always as celebrated as Maradona. Some people felt he didn’t perform as well for the national team and didn’t have the same background as Maradona, who came from humble beginnings. Messi’s reserved personality also contrasted with Maradona’s outgoing nature. Plus, some questioned his commitment to the Argentine team because he didn’t show much emotion on the field.

However, Messi has always been clear that Argentina is his home, and he’s proud to represent his country. Despite living in Spain since he was a teenager, he never considered playing for the Spanish national team. Over time, Messi has made efforts to show his Argentine pride more openly, and after Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022, many now hold him in the same regard as Maradona.

Messi vs. Ronaldo: A Legendary Soccer Rivalry

In the world of soccer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are often compared to each other, much like famous rivalries in other sports, such as Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier in boxing or Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal in tennis. Their rivalry has fueled discussions for years.

While Messi has sometimes said there’s no rivalry, many believe they push each other to be better players. Since 2008, Messi has won more awards than Ronaldo, including eight Ballon d’Ors to Ronaldo’s five, seven FIFA World’s Best Player awards to Ronaldo’s five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo’s four. People constantly debate who is the better player.

Their differences go beyond their playing styles. Ronaldo is taller and more muscular, with a confident and theatrical personality, while Messi is known for his humility. They’ve faced off multiple times each season in El Clásico, one of the most-watched sports events in the world.

Off the field, they compete for things like salary, sponsorships, and social media followers. After Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, many believe he’s proven himself as the superior player.

Lionel Messi: From Record-Breaking Salaries to Global Influence

For most of the years between 2009 and 2014, Lionel Messi was the highest-paid footballer globally. In 2013, he made €41 million and in 2014, €65 million, breaking records. In 2015-16, he was second only to Ronaldo in earnings, making $81 million. In 2018, he was the first to earn over €100 million in a year, and in 2019, Forbes named him the highest-paid athlete.

From 2008, Messi was Barcelona’s top earner, with his salary climbing from €7.8 million to €13 million in five years. In 2017, he signed a new contract with a weekly wage of $667,000 and a $60 million signing bonus. His contract had a buyout clause of $835 million.

Apart from his salary, Lionel Messi earns a lot from endorsements. He’s been a big name for Adidas since 2006 and has deals with other brands like Pepsi and Konami. Over the years, he’s broadened his appeal, endorsing luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Audemars Piguet, as well as companies like Gillette and Turkish Airlines.

Messi has been a big deal off the field too. He’s been on the covers of video games and named among the Time 100 most influential people. He’s got millions of followers on social media, making him one of the most popular athletes globally. He’s also been recognized for his economic impact on his city.

Beyond sports, Lionel Messi has done some interesting stuff. He’s had a wax sculpture made of him, and a gold replica of his foot was sold to raise money for charity. He’s starred in popular ads and even had a documentary made about him. Recently, he’s become an ambassador for the Hard Rock Cafe and Saudi Arabia’s tourism, although the latter move sparked some controversy.

In April 2023, he was part of the Thrissur Pooram festival in India, where they displayed illuminated cut-outs of him holding the World Cup trophy on elephants’ umbrellas during a big ceremony.

What is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

Lionel Messi’s Net Worth is estimated to be $650 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth .

Messi’s Love Story: From Childhood Sweethearts to Family Man

Since 2008, Lionel Messi has been dating Antonela Roccuzzo, who’s from the same place as him, Rosario. They’ve known each other since they were kids because she’s the cousin of his childhood friend Lucas Scaglia, who also plays football. They kept their relationship secret for about a year, but then Messi talked about it in an interview in January 2009. They officially went public a month later during a carnival in Sitges after a big football match.

Messi and Roccuzzo have three kids. When they were expecting their first child, Messi celebrated by pretending to be pregnant after scoring a goal in a match against Ecuador in June 2012. Two weeks later, he confirmed the news in an interview. Their first son, Thiago, was born in Barcelona on November 2, 2012. In April 2015, Messi announced they were expecting another child. They got married on June 30, 2017, in a fancy hotel in Rosario. In October 2017, they revealed they were expecting their third child. They’re a Catholic family.

Messi is close to his family, especially his mom, Celia, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His dad, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14, and his brother Rodrigo helps with his schedule and publicity. His mom and another brother, Matías, manage his charity, the Leo Messi Foundation, and handle personal and professional stuff in Rosario.

Even though Lionel Messi moved to Spain when he was 13, he’s still connected to Rosario. He still owns his family’s old house there, even though nobody lives in it now. He has a fancy apartment for his mom in Rosario and a family spot just outside the city. He’s tight with a small group of friends from Rosario and makes sure to stay in touch with them every day. When he was training in Buenos Aires, he’d drive three hours just to have dinner with his family and then head back the next day.

When he was in Barcelona, things were tense between him and the club at first, but by 2012, they made up, and his old club even gave his son a membership card. Messi has always wanted to finish his football career back home at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario. He’s a citizen of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.

Lionel Messi: Champion on and off the Field

Lionel Messi has always cared deeply about helping kids in need, probably because he had some tough times when he was young. Since 2004, he’s been giving his time and money to UNICEF, which helps children around the world. He even became a Goodwill Ambassador in 2010, traveling to Haiti after the earthquake to help out. He’s done a lot with UNICEF, like spreading awareness about HIV, helping kids go to school, and making sure disabled kids feel included.

But he didn’t stop there. In 2007, he started his charity called the Leo Messi Foundation. He wanted to make sure kids could get healthcare, go to school, and play sports. He started it after visiting sick kids in a hospital and realizing he could use his fame and money to make a difference.

Through his foundation, Lionel Messi has done a bunch of stuff like giving money to medical research, training doctors, and building hospitals in Argentina, Spain, and other places. He also raises money by playing in charity football matches called “Messi and Friends” and getting sponsorships from companies like Adidas.

Messi’s not just about helping kids far away, though. He’s also invested in youth football back in Argentina. He’s helped out his hometown club, Sarmiento, by fixing up their fields and supporting young players at different clubs. He even helped build a gym and dorms for his old youth team, Newell’s Old Boys.

But it’s not just about football. When Messi saw people struggling, he stepped in to help like when he paid the salaries of some security staff for the Argentine national team who hadn’t been paid for months. During the coronavirus pandemic, he donated a lot of money to hospitals in Spain and Argentina and took a pay cut so other people working at his club could keep their jobs.

He’s also used his fame to do good. He donated his special shoes to an art museum to auction off for charity, raising money for kids with cancer. And before a big football tournament, he gave some signed shirts to a company that makes vaccines, hoping they’d give vaccines to football players in South America.

Messi’s always trying to make the world a better place, whether it’s through football or just helping people out when they need it.

Messi’s Tax Troubles: A Deep Dive into the Soccer Star’s Financial Controversy

In 2013, authorities started looking into Lionel Messi’s money matters, suspecting he hadn’t paid all his taxes. They found out he’d used companies in places where taxes are low, like Uruguay and Belize, to avoid paying about €4.1 million in taxes on money he made from sponsorships between 2007 and 2009. Then, in 2012, a company connected to Messi’s family was revealed in the Panama Papers, a big leak of secret financial info. Messi said he didn’t know about any dodgy dealings, but he still paid €5.1 million in overdue taxes in August 2013.

In July 2016, both Messi and his dad were found guilty of tax fraud. They got suspended jail sentences of 21 months, but they didn’t go to jail. Instead, they had to pay fines—€1.7 million for Messi and €1.4 million for his dad. In court, Lionel Messi explained that he just focused on playing football and trusted his dad and the lawyers to handle the money stuff.

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Lionel Messi Net Worth 2020, Salary & Endorsements

Lionel Messi net worth, salary and his sources of wealth in 2020 analysed.

Table of Contents

Lionel Messi is a professional footballer who plays in the Spanish league La Liga, for Barcelona and also for the Argentinean National Football team. At both teams, Messi who clads the no. 10 jersey has solidly placed himself as a noteworthy figure in the team. An ingenious player, Lionel Messi who currently is the best footballer in the world and also a viable contender for the title of the Greatest Footballer of All Time (GOAT) , has displayed his unusual football prowess that none can argue that the star isn’t phenomenal.

With an emphasis on Lionel Messi’s wealth, we review his early life, career, salary/earnings, endorsements, luxury lifestyle and takeaways from his wealth and success.

Born to a family with a humble background, his father worked in a steel factory, while his mother worked in a workshop where magnets were manufactured. Like many families in Argentina, his family greatly loved football. That love transcended into a passion in young Messi who began playing football at a very young age with his brothers and cousins. At the age of 4, in a bid to follow the passion which burned in him, he joined Grandoli, where he remained until he moved to Newell’s Old Boys at age 6. At Newell, his exceptional goal-scoring form came to the fore as he registered 500 goals in 6 years.

Messi’s football career was however threatened by a growth hormone deficiency. His parents were unable to afford the treatment. Newell sought to sponsor his treatment but soon backed down. River Plate, an Argentinean club also sought to sponsor his treatment but were unable due to the country’s economic crisis. After he had a trial with Barcelona, where he impressed the directors, the club soon signed him and began sponsoring his treatment. Away from home and homesick, Messi struggled to settle in Spain but soon found solace in his friendship with Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique who were all youth players then.

Upon completing his growth hormone deficiency treatment, he released the beast in himself after he delivered an overwhelming impressive performance in the 2002/03, helping Barcelona youth side with a treble and ranking as the league’s top scorer. 

Career Summary, Contracts, Achievements

Through 2003 to 2005, Messi played irregularly for Barcelona’s first team. His skill caught the attention of top first team stars such as Ronaldinho who befriended him. At the age of 18, he signed a professional contract, his first senior contract with Barcelona, with a buyout clause of €150 million. For the first few seasons he spent as a first team player, Messi achieved considerable success and earned severl plaudits for his football Ingenuity such as his 2006/07 season goal which bears stunning similarity to the Goal of the 20th Century scored by Argentinean legend, Diego Maradona.

After his maiden Ballon d’Or win in 2009 he went on to win three more FIFA Ballon d’Or awards between 2010 to 2012 and thus emerged as the first player in history to record 4 Ballon d’Or wins. His achievement catapulted him to a whole new level in his career as he was compared with the likes of legendary footballers such as Pele . With Barcelona’s continental success halted, Messi had to wait for years before he won another Ballon d’Or. He however won the European Golden Shoe and also the 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.

At the World Cup, Argentina made it to the final, but a goal defeat denied Messi a chance to clinch World Cup glory, a feat which will have solidly balanced his achievements. Motivated by his defeat in the World Cup, Messi returned to the Laliga for the 2015 season in the most prolific form ever, which saw him emerge as the league’s all-time top scorer and also leading Barcelona to a second continental treble, the first team to achieve the feat. He then won his fifth Ballon d’Or award.

From 2016 to 2019, Messi failed to achieve continental glory. From 2016 to 2018, Messi finished in the runner-up spot in the Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Men’s Player Award. Despite his Ballon d’Or flop, Messi remained a very valuable asset for Barcelona as his 2017 $667,000 weekly five years contract which saw his buyout clause move from $357 million to $857 million revealed.

Though he saw considerable success at club level, his lack of success in Europe saw rival Cristiano Ronaldo who claimed three successive UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid win the Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, in 2016 and 2017, with exception to 2018, where for the first time in a decade, neither Messi nor Ronaldo clinched the title.

In the 2018 Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, Messi failed to finish in the final three. He made up for his loss in the Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, in 2019 where he led as captain to an impressive league win and also clinch his sixth European Golden Boot award. For his achievements, he went on to clinch a historic sixth Ballon d’Or award and his first Best FIFA Men’s Player Award. Messi has since been in prolific form.

Career Highlights

Below are some of the best Lionel Messi’s career highlights.

• 6x FIFA Ballon d’Or/Ballon d’Or
• 1x FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (2014)
• 1x FIFA World Player of the Year (2009)
• 1x The Best FIFA Men’s Player (2019)
• 6x European Golden Shoe
• 8x La Liga Best Player
• 7x Laliga Best Forward
• 6x Pichichi Trophy
• 2x FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball
• 2x UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award
• 1x Copa América Golden Ball
• 11x Argentine Footballer of the Year
• 4x IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker
• 3x FIFPro Young World Player of the Year
• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (2020)

Lionel Messi Net Worth in 2020

Lionel Messi’s Net Worth in 2020 is valued at $400 million, which ranks him as one of the richest football players in the world right now. Aside from football which is responsible for a huge share of his wealth, Messi’s various endorsement deals with top brands such as his life long endorsement deal with sports kit manufacturer, Adidas has contributed greatly to his $400 million fortune. In 2019, according to US magazine, Forbes , Messi made $127 million which ranks him as the highest-paid athlete in the globe. 

RELATED: Top-20 Richest Athletes In The World 2020

Lionel Messi Salary in 2020

Lionel Messi earns roughly $92 million-plus as base salary per year. For a skilled player such as Lionel Messi, his salary is outrageously mouthwatering. In 2019 alone, before tax deductions, Messi received as much as $92 million as his annual basic salary. Along with endorsement deals, Messi made about $127 million, making him the highest-paid athlete and the 4th highest-paid celebrity in 2019.

RELATED: Top-20 Highest-Paid Athletes In The World 2020

Lionel Messi Endorsements & Sponsorships

Lionel Messi’s endorsement and sponsorship deals run long. He has endorsement deals with MasterCard, Pepsi Co, Huawei and Gatorade. He has a deal in place with Jacob & Co to market a luxury line of wrist watch which sells as much as $28,000. His partnership with MGO will see his clothing line available on his e-commerce site. In 2020, Lionel Messi’s endorsement deals are valued as much as $35 million.

Lionel Messi Luxury Life

Lionel Messi owns houses in Spain and Argentina. His house in Spain is extremely gorgeous with environmental concerns put at its fore. The house which overlooks the Mediterranean ocean is located in the Parque Natural del Garraf, in Gava. His house contains endangered wildlife such as Fauna and Flora and as a result, he lives in absolute tranquillity because planes aren’t allowed to fly over his house since it’s declared a no-fly zone by Spanish authorities due to the endangered wildlife. The incredible mansion has a swimming pool, a playground, an outdoor dining area and a small football pitch.

Lionel Messi also owns a football-shaped mansion which he designed with Luis Garrido, the famous Spanish architect. The incredible edifice is located in Llavaneres Sant Andreu which is just a few miles north of Barcelona.

Private Jet

For a man like Lionel Messi with a net worth valued at a whopping $400 million, owning a private jet is nothing out of the ordinary. Lionel Messi owns a $25 million 2004 Gulfstream V private jet. Interestingly, the soccer star has the names of his wife and children printed on the footsteps of the aircraft. An incredible way to recognise his number-one fans. Isn’t it?

Lionel Messi’s car collections include a 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti, an Audi R8 Spyder, a Lexus RX 450h, a Range Rover Vogue, a Cadillac Escalade, an Audi Q7, a Maserati Gran Turismo S, a Ferrari F430 Spider, a Pagani Zonda Tricolore and many more.

Lessons from Messi’s Wealth & Success

Following the interesting story on Lionel Messi’s rise to fame, his wealth and how he became successful, here are 2 astounding lessons we learned from the football thespian.

1. Know What You Want

While recounting his childhood, Messi revealed he thought of no other profession than becoming a footballer while growing up. He thus worked towards his goal from the age of 4.

2. Cultivate a Winning Mindset

Messi once declared that at the onset of every season, his goal is to win as much as possible while the personal records he achieved comes secondary to his team’s victory. In the course of leading his team to successive victories, Messi reaches numerous personal achievements.

• SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons Lionel Messi Is The Greatest Footballer Of All-Time

In 2020, Lionel Messi’s net worth is valued at about $400 million, ranking him as the third  richest football player in the world  right now. The sources of Messi’s wealth are largely from his profession as a football (soccer) player, a sport he has played since his childhood.

RELATED: Top-10 Richest Football Players In The World 2020

Right from an early age, Messi knew he wanted to become a footballer. With the help of his parents, he achieved that dream. While you work to achieve your dream, try as much to get support from the people you respect.

What are your thoughts about Lionel Messi net worth? Please share with us in the comments section below.

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Facts of Lionel Messi

Football Player

Career & net worth, relationship.

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional football player who plays as a forward, midfielder, and winger for one of the world's most designated clubs FC Barcelona. He is the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or five times besides Ronaldo. 

A professional Argentine footballer is a wealthy man with an estimated net worth of over $182 million. Playing with PSG, Messi makes a massive amount of money. 

Net Worth and Endorsements of Messi

Lionel Messi stands high with an estimated net worth of over $500 million, including all his properties. He has an annual salary of £34,840,000 . Messi is signed with PSG, and he earns £670,000 in a week. His weekly pay in 2021 was £1,000,000, and his yearly wage was £52,000,000 . 

He has also played for other clubs, including Barcelona. While playing for Barcelona in 2020, Messi earned £1,000,000 a week and £52,000,000 a year. Furthermore, his current market value is €50 million, while his highest market value was €180 million, recorded on January 1, 2018 .

Besides his earnings from football, he too earns massive amounts through his endorsement deals; he is linked with various worldwide brands such as Pepsi, Gillette, Turkish Airlines, and Adidas.

Likewise, he has a collection of several luxurious cars. Some of his best include Ferrari, Audi Maserati, Mercedes, Bentley, and Chrysler. We can explore his lavish lifestyle by following him on Instagram as @leomessi . 

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Love Life: Details On His Wife and Children

Most of all know that Lionel Messi is a married man. He had been living a happy life with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo , a fellow neighbour of his hometown. The couple has been living together since 2008, and they have three children: Thiago Messi, born in 2012, and Mateo Messi, born in 2015. Ciro Messi was born on March 10, 2018.

Later, the couple finally tied the knot on June 30, 2017 . The ceremony occurred at a casino and hotel in Rosario, Argentina, where several Barcelona and Argentine players attended.

Besides this, he is a philanthropist; he has been helping the needy, involving himself in organisations like UNICEF, La Masia Foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation, etc. 

Lionel Messi's Club Career

Messi's parents sought to arrange a trial with Barcelona in September 2000; after his trial, First team director Charly Rexach immediately wanted to sign him but couldn't due to the club's regulations as Messi was too young then. On December 14, a request was issued for Barcelona to prove their commitment, and the club signed him offering a contract on a paper napkin.

Lionel Messi made his professional debut at age 17 in October 2004, representing Barcelona and scoring his first-ever competitive goal from an assist from Ronaldinho . He had himself in the record books of football on May 1, 2005, as the youngest player to ever score a goal for the franchise.

Also Read. Statistics show Cristiano Ronaldo twice as good as Lionel Messi on International Stage

He was soon called a wonder boy because of his magic inside the field. Certainly, everybody loved to see him playing, and he has been known all over the world since 2009. At 22 years old, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009, both by the most significant voting margin in each trophy's history.

He slowly developed himself as one of the world's best players and won the FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015, and has set numbers of world records in football. He was named the captain of the team along with Andres Iniesta in 2015. He is the crucial player for his team and has won several titles with the club. 

Messi is an essential player in Barcelona and has won nine La Liga titles with the club. He is also the player to be credited most that won the last three Champions League. Besides, Messi has won uncountable individual titles and honours. He is also famous for his rivalry with his most formidable opponent Ronaldo .

International Career Of Messi

Initially born in Argentina, Messi was offered to play for the Spanish national side, but he denied the offer and chose to play for his national side. He made his junior team debut for his country against Paraguay, scoring a goal and providing two assists in their 8–0 victory on June 29, 2004 .

Read more. FIFA World Cup 2022 Final: Argentina vs France Match Preview, Head To Head, Possible Lineups, Key Players, Tickets, Kickoff Time, Stadium, Prediction,

Aged 18, Messi made his senior debut for Argentina on August 17, 2005 . He has won over 143 caps for his national side scoring 74 goals, he won the Golden Ball in the 2014 World Cup, and Brazil lost to Germany in the Finale. His current national squad teammates are Sergio Aguero , Angel Di Maria , Gonzalo Higuain , etc.

Besides, Messi also plays in the FIFA World Cup 2022 , representing the Argentine team. He said this was his last world cup . 

Early Life of Lionel Messi

Lionel Andres Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, and his parents are Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini . He has three siblings, Maria Sol Messi , Rodrigo Messi , and Matias Messi . His cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, are both professional players. 

At the age of four, he joined the local club Grandoli, where he was coached by his father, though his influence as a player came from his maternal grandmother, Celia. He celebrates his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother, who is no longer alive.

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Lionel Messi

Age, biography and wiki.

Lionel Messi was born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, is an Argentine footballer. Discover Lionel Messi's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 36 years old?

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 24 June. He is a member of famous Player with the age 36 years old group.

Lionel Messi Height, Weight & Measurements

At 36 years old, Lionel Messi height is 1.70 m and Weight 72 kg.

Who Is Lionel Messi's Wife?

His wife is Antonela Roccuzzo (m. 2017)

Lionel Messi Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. So, how much is Lionel Messi worth at the age of 36 years old? Lionel Messi’s income source is mostly from being a successful Player. He is from Argentina. We have estimated Lionel Messi's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets.

Lionel Messi Social Network

Messi made his first appearance of the season on 17 September, and on 6 October he scored his first goal of the season with a free kick in a 4–0 home win over Sevilla; this was his 420th goal in La Liga, which saw him break Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 419 goals scored in Europe's top five leagues. On 23 October, Messi scored his first Champions League goal of the season in a 2–1 away win over Slavia Prague, becoming the first player to score in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons (excluding qualifying rounds). He also equalled Raúl and Cristiano Ronaldo's shared record of the most sides scored against in the competition (33). On 29 October, Messi scored and assisted twice in a 5–1 home win over Real Valladolid in La Liga; his first goal – a set piece from 35 yards – was the 50th free-kick of his career. His goals (608) also saw him overtake Cristiano Ronaldo's senior goal tally (606) at club level. On 9 November, Messi scored three goals (including two free kicks) in a 4–1 home win against Celta Vigo. This was his 34th hat-trick in La Liga, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's Spanish top-flight record. On 27 November, in what was his 700th appearance for Barcelona, Messi scored one goal and assisted two more in a 3–1 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. Borussia Dortmund was the 34th team he had scored against in the competition, breaking the previous record of 33 held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl. On 2 December, Messi was awarded a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or. On 8 December, Messi scored his record-breaking 35th hat-trick in La Liga with three goals in Barcelona's 5–2 home win over Mallorca. On 22 February 2020, Messi scored four goals in a 5–0 home win over Eibar in La Liga.

On 13 January 2019, Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal in his 435th league appearance in a 3–0 home win over Eibar, becoming the first player ever to manage this tally in just one of Europe's top five leagues. On 2 February, Messi scored twice in a 2–2 draw against Valencia, with his first goal coming from the penalty spot, his 50th La Liga penalty goal; as such, he became only the third player in La Liga history after Cristiano Ronaldo and Hugo Sánchez to score 50 penalties in the competition. Later that month, the club admitted they had begun preparations for Messi's future retirement. On 23 February, Messi scored the 50th hat-trick of his career and also provided an assist for Suárez, as he helped Barcelona come from behind to achieve a 4–2 away victory over Sevilla in La Liga; the goal was also his 650th career goal for club and country at senior level. On 16 April, Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home victory over Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals to give Barcelona a 4–0 aggregate win, which saw Barcelona progress to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2015; these were also his first goals in the Champions League quarter-finals since 2013.

On 5 August 2019, it was announced that Messi would miss Barcelona's US tour after sustaining a right calf injury. On 19 August, Messi's chipped goal from the edge of the box against Real Betis was nominated for the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award. Later that month, he suffered another setback following the return of his calf injury, which ruled him out of the opening game of the season; as a result, he was sidelined indefinitely, and was only expected to return to action with Barcelona after the September international break. On 2 September, Messi was shortlisted as one of the three finalists for both the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award and the 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player Award, with Messi winning the latter on 23 September.

On 21 May 2019, Messi was included in Lionel Scaloni's final 23-man Argentina squad for the 2019 Copa América. In Argentina's second group match of the tournament on 19 June, Messi scored the equalising goal from the penalty spot in a 1–1 draw against Paraguay. After coming under criticism in the media over his performance following Argentina's 2–0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals at the Maracanã Stadium on 28 June, Messi commented that it had not been his best Copa América, while also criticising the poor quality of the pitches. Following Argentina's 2–0 defeat to hosts Brazil in the semi-finals on 2 July, Messi was critical of the refereeing during the match. In the third-place match against Chile on 6 July, Messi set-up Agüero's opening goal from a free kick in an eventual 2–1 win, to help Argentina capture the bronze medal; however, he was sent off along with Gary Medel in the 37th minute of play, after being involved in an altercation with the Chilean. Following the match, Messi refused to collect his medal, and implied in a post-match interview that his comments following the semi-final led to his sending off. Messi later issued an apology for his comments, but was fined $1,500 and was handed a one-match ban by CONMEBOL, which ruled him out of Argentina's next World Cup qualifier. On 2 August, Messi was banned for three months from international football and was fined $50,000 by CONMEBOL for his comments against the referee's decisions; this ban meant he would miss Argentina's friendly matches against Chile, Mexico and Germany in September and October.

On 18 October, in his 122nd European club appearance, Messi scored his 97th UEFA Champions League goal, and his 100th in all UEFA club competitions, in a 3–1 home victory over Olympiakos. Messi became only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this century milestone, but accomplished it in 21 fewer appearances than the Portuguese counterpart. On 4 November, he made his 600th appearance for Barcelona in a 2–1 home win over Sevilla in La Liga. Following the reception of his fourth Golden Boot, Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona on 25 November, keeping him with the club through the 2020–21 season. His buyout clause was set at €700 million. On 7 January 2018, Messi made his 400th La Liga appearance with Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Levante, marking the occasion with his 144th league assist and 365th league goal for the club, the latter of which saw him equal Gerd Müller's record for the most league goals scored for the same club in one of Europe's top five divisions. A week later, he broke the record, scoring his 366th La Liga goal from a free kick in a 4–2 away win against Real Sociedad.

With the departure of former captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the team's new captain for the following season. On 12 August 2018, he lifted his first title as Barcelona's captain, the Supercopa de España, following a 2–1 victory over Sevilla. On 19 August, Messi scored twice in helping Barcelona defeat Alavés 3–0 in their first La Liga match of the season, with his first goal, a free kick that he rolled under the jumping Alavés wall, making history in being Barcelona's 6000th goal in La Liga. On 18 September, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 home win over PSV Eindhoven in Barcelona's opening Champions League group stage match of the season, setting a new record for most hat-tricks in the competition, with eight. On 20 October, Messi scored and assisted in a 4–2 home win over Sevilla, but was later forced off in the 26th minute after falling awkwardly and injuring his right arm; tests later confirmed that he had fractured his radial bone, ruling him out for approximately three weeks. On 8 December, Messi scored two free kicks – his ninth and tenth goals from set pieces during the calendar year – in a 4–0 away win over Catalan Derby rivals Espanyol in La Liga; this was the first time ever that he had managed such a feat in the league. His first goal was also his 10th league goal of the season, making him the first player ever to reach double figures in La Liga for 13 consecutive seasons.

Following on from their poor qualification campaign, salvaged by Messi, expectations were not high going into the 2018 World Cup, with the team, without an injured Messi, losing 6–1 to Spain in March 2018. Prior to Argentina's opener, there was speculation in the media over whether this would be Messi's final World Cup. In the team's opening group match against Iceland on 16 June, Messi missed a potential match-winning penalty in an eventual 1–1 draw. In Argentina's second game of the 2018 World Cup on 21 June, the team lost 3–0 to Croatia. Post match the Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli spoke of the lack of quality in the team surrounding Messi, "the reality of the Argentina squad clouds his [Messi's] brilliance". Messi had just 49 touches of the ball and only two inside the Croatia penalty area. Sampaoli stated, "we quite simply couldn't pass to him to help him generate the situations he is used to. We worked to give him the ball but the opponent also worked hard to prevent him from getting the ball. We lost that battle." Croatia midfielder Luka Modrić also stated post match, "Messi is an incredible player but he can't do everything alone."

Following the tournament, Messi stated that he would not participate in Argentina's friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia in September 2018, and commented that it would be unlikely that he would represent his nation for the remainder of the calendar year. Messi's absence from the national team and his continued failure to win a title with Argentina prompted speculation in the media that Messi might retire from international football once again. In March 2019, however, he was called up to the Argentina squad once again for the team's friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco later that month. He made his international return on 22 March, in a 3–1 friendly defeat to Venezuela, in Madrid.

Messi finished the year with 51 goals, making him Europe's top scorer, one ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimović. After placing second in the 2016 Ballon d'Or, on 9 January 2017 Messi also finished in second place – behind Cristiano Ronaldo once again – in the 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award. On 11 January, Messi scored from a free-kick in Barcelona's 3–1 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, which enabled Barcelona to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition; with his 26th goal from a free-kick for Barcelona in all competitions, he equalled the club's all-time record, which had previously been set by Ronald Koeman. In his next league match, on 14 January, Messi scored in a 5–0 win against Las Palmas; with this goal, he equalled Raúl's record for the most number of teams scored against in La Liga (35).

On 4 February 2017, Messi scored his 27th free-kick for Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the league, overtaking Koeman as the club's all-time top-scorer from free-kicks. On 23 April, Messi scored twice in a 3–2 away win over Real Madrid. His game-winning goal in stoppage time was his 500th for Barcelona. His memorable celebration saw him taking off his Barcelona shirt and holding it up to incensed Real Madrid fans – with his name and number facing the crowd. On 27 May, Messi scored a goal and set up another for Paco Alcácer in the 2017 Copa del Rey Final, helping Barcelona to a 3–1 victory over Alavés, and was named Man of the Match. In total, Messi finished the 2016–17 season with 54 goals and 16 assists, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the Pichichi and European Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career.

Messi opened the 2017–18 season by converting a penalty in Barcelona's 1–3 first leg home defeat to Real Madrid in Supercopa de España. Thereby, Messi also extended his El Clásico goalscoring record with the goal being his 24th official and 25th overall. On 9 September, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the 2017–18 league campaign, against Espanyol in derbi barceloní, thus helping to secure a 5–0 home victory for Blaugrana over local rivals. Messi netted twice against Gianluigi Buffon, on 12 September, as Barça defeated the last season's Italian champions Juventus 3–0 at home in the UEFA Champions League. On 19 September, Messi found the net four times in a 6–1 trashing of Eibar at the Camp Nou in La Liga. Three weeks later, on 1 October, Messi surpassed his former teammate Carles Puyol to become the third highest appearance maker in the club's history, as he helped Barça defeat Las Palmas 3–0 by assisting Sergio Busquets' opener and later adding two himself in his 594th official game for the club; the league game was played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou due to violence in Catalonia relating to an ongoing independence referendum.

On 28 March 2017, Messi was suspended for four international games for insulting an assistant referee in a game against Chile on 23 March 2017. He was also fined CHF 10,000. On 5 May 2017, Messi's four match ban as well as his 10,000 CHF fine was lifted by FIFA after Argentina Football Association appealed against his suspension, which meant he could now play Argentina's remaining World Cup Qualifiers. Argentina's place in the 2018 World Cup was in jeopardy going into their final qualifying match as they were sixth in their group, outside the five possible CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying spots, meaning they risked failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970. On 10 October 2017, Messi led his country to World Cup qualification in scoring a hat-trick as Argentina came from behind to defeat Ecuador 3–1 away; Argentina had not defeated Ecuador in Quito since 2001. Messi's three goals saw him become the joint all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 21 goals, alongside Uruguay's Luis Suárez, overtaking the previous record which was held by compatriot Hernán Crespo.

On 11 January 2016, Messi won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time in his career. On 3 February, he scored a hat-trick in Barcelona's 7–0 win against Valencia in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Camp Nou. In a 6–1 home win against Celta de Vigo in the league, Messi assisted Suárez from a penalty kick. Some saw it as "a touch of genius", while others criticised it as being disrespectful to the opponent. The Celta players never complained and their coach defended the penalty, stating, "Barca's forwards are very respectful." The penalty routine has been compared to that of Barça icon Johan Cruyff in 1982, who was battling lung cancer, leading many fans to indicate that the penalty was a tribute to him. Cruyff himself was "very happy" with the play, insisting "it was legal and entertaining".

On 17 February, Messi reached his 300th league goal in a 1–3 away win against Sporting de Gijón. A few days later, he scored both goals in Barcelona's 0–2 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, in the first leg of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the second goal being Barcelona's 10,000th in official competitions. On 17 April, Messi ended a five-match scoring drought with his 500th senior career goal for club and country in Barcelona's 2–1 home loss to Valencia. Messi finished the 2015–16 season by setting up both goals in Barcelona's 2–0 extra time win over Sevilla in the 2016 Copa del Rey Final, at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, on 22 May 2016, as the club celebrated winning the domestic double for the second consecutive season. In total, Messi scored 41 goals and provided 23 assists, as Barcelona's attacking trio managed a Spanish record of 131 goals throughout the season, breaking the record they had set the previous season.

Messi opened the 2016–17 season by lifting the 2016 Supercopa de España as Barcelona's captain in the absence of the injured Andrés Iniesta; he set-up Munir's goal in a 2–0 away win over Sevilla in the first leg on 14 August, and subsequently scored and assisted in a 3–0 win in the return leg on 17 August. Three days later, he scored two goals and provided an assist to lead Barcelona to a 6–2 victory against Real Betis in the opening game of the 2016–17 La Liga season. On 13 September 2016, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season in the opening game of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League campaign against Celtic in a 7–0 victory; this was also Messi's sixth hat-trick in the Champions League, the most by any player. A week later, Messi sustained a groin injury in a 1–1 draw against Atlético Madrid and was ruled out with injury for three weeks. He marked his return with a goal, scoring three minutes after coming off the bench in a 4–0 home win over Deportivo de La Coruña, on 16 October. Three days after this, he netted his thirty-seventh club hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Manchester City 4–0. On 1 November, Messi scored his 54th Champions League group stage goal in Barcelona's 3–1 away loss to Manchester City, surpassing the previous record of 53 goals held by Raúl.

Messi's place in Argentina's Copa América Centenario squad was initially put in jeopardy when he sustained a back injury in a 1–0 friendly win over Honduras in a pre-Copa América warm-up match on 27 May 2016. It was later reported that he had suffered a deep bruise in his lumbar region. He was later left on the bench in Argentina's 2–1 opening win over defending champions Chile on 6 June due to concerns regarding his fitness. Although Messi was declared match-fit for his nation's second group match against Panama on 10 June, Martino left him on the bench once again; he replaced Augusto Fernández in the 61st minute and subsequently scored a hat-trick in 19 minutes, also starting the play which led to Sergio Agüero's goal, as the match ended in a 5–0 victory, sealing Argentina's place in the quarter-finals of the competition; he was elected man of the match for his performance.

On 18 June 2016, in the quarter-final of the Copa América against Venezuela, Messi produced another man of the match performance, assisting two goals and scoring another in a 4–1 victory, which enabled him to equal Gabriel Batistuta's national record of 54 goals in official international matches. This record was broken three days later when Messi scored a free kick in a 4–0 semi-final win against hosts the United States; he also assisted two goals during the match as Argentina sealed a place in the final of the competition for a second consecutive year, and was named man of the match once again.

– Messi reversing his decision from retiring on 12 August 2016

Just a week after Messi announced his international retirement, Argentine newspaper La Nación reported that he was reconsidering playing for Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. On 12 August, it was confirmed that Messi had reversed his decision to retire from international football, and he was included in the squad for the national team's upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers. On 1 September 2016, in his first game back, he scored in a 1–0 home win over Uruguay in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Messi has also invested in youth football in Argentina: he financially supports Sarmiento, a football club based in the Rosario neighbourhood where he was born, committing in 2013 to the refurbishment of their facilities and the installation of all-weather pitches, and funds the management of several youth players at Newell's Old Boys and rival club Rosario Central, as well as at River Plate and Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires. At Newell's Old Boys, his boyhood club, he funded the 2012 construction of a new gymnasium and a dormitory inside the club's stadium for their youth academy. His former youth coach at Newell's, Ernesto Vecchio, is employed by the Leo Messi Foundation as a talent scout for young players. On 7 June 2016, Messi won a libel case against La Razón newspaper and was awarded €65,000 in damages, which he donated to the charity Médecins Sans Frontières. Messi made a donation worth $1 million (€1.1 million) to fight the spread of coronavirus. This was split between Clinic Barcelona hospital in Barcelona, Spain and his native Argentina. In addition to this, Messi along with his fellow FC Barcelona teammates announced he will be taking a 70% cut in salaries during the corona virus emergency, and contribute further to the club to provide fully to salaries of all the clubs employees.

Messi's financial affairs came under investigation in 2013 for suspected tax evasion. Offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009. An unrelated shell company in Panama, set up in 2012, was subsequently identified as belonging to the Messis in the Panama Papers data leak. Messi, who pleaded ignorance of the alleged scheme, voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million in August 2013. On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were handed suspended 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 million in fines. Facing the judge, he said, "I just played football. I signed the contracts because I trusted my dad and the lawyers and we had decided that they would take charge of those things."

At the start of 2015, Barcelona were perceived to be headed for another disappointing end to the season, with renewed speculation in the media that Messi was leaving the club. A turning point came on 11 January during a 3–1 victory over Atlético Madrid, the first time Barça's attacking trident of Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar, dubbed "MSN", each scored in a match, marking the beginning of a highly successful run. After five years of playing in the centre of the pitch, Messi had returned to his old position on the right wing late the previous year, by his own suggestion according to Suárez, their striker. From there, he regained his best – arguably his best-ever – form, while Suárez and Neymar ended the team's attacking dependency on their star player. With 58 goals from Messi, the trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish football.

Messi opened the 2015–16 season by scoring twice from free kicks in Barcelona's 5–4 victory (after extra time) over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. On 16 September, he became the youngest player to make 100 appearances in the UEFA Champions League in a 1–1 away draw to Roma. After a knee injury, he returned to the pitch on 21 November, making a substitute appearance in Barcelona's 4–0 away win over rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico. Messi capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final on 20 December, collecting his fifth club trophy of 2015 as Barcelona defeated River Plate 3–0 in Yokohama. On 30 December, Messi scored on his 500th appearance for Barcelona, in a 4–0 home win over Real Betis.

Another final appearance, the third of Messi's senior international career, followed in the 2015 Copa América, held in Chile. Under the stewardship of former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino, Argentina entered the tournament as title contenders due to their second-place achievement at the World Cup. During the opening match against Paraguay, they were ahead two goals by half-time but lost their lead to end the match in a 2–2 draw; Messi had scored from a penalty kick, netting his only goal in the tournament. Following a 1–0 win against defending champions Uruguay, Messi earned his 100th cap for his country in the final group match, a 1–0 win over Jamaica, becoming only the fifth Argentine to achieve this milestone. In his 100 appearances, he had scored a total of 46 goals for Argentina, 22 of which came in official competitive matches.

During the second half of the 2013–14 season, doubts persisted over Messi's form, leading to a perception among the culés that he was reserving himself for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Statistically, his contribution of goals, shots, and passes had dropped significantly compared to previous seasons. He still managed to break two longstanding records in a span of seven days: a hat-trick on 16 March against Osasuna saw him overtake Paulino Alcántara's 369 goals to become Barcelona's top goalscorer in all competitions including friendlies, while another hat-trick against Real Madrid on 23 March made him the all-time top scorer in El Clásico, ahead of the 18 goals scored by former Real Madrid player Alfredo Di Stéfano. Messi finished the campaign with his worst output in five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals in all competitions. For the first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season without a major trophy; they were defeated in the Copa del Rey final by Real Madrid and lost the league in the last game to Atlético Madrid, causing Messi to be booed by sections of fans at the Camp Nou. After prolonged speculation over his future with the club, Messi signed a new contract on 19 May 2014, only a year after his last contractual update; his salary increased to €20 million, or €36 million before taxes, the highest wage in the sport.

Under new manager and former captain Luis Enrique, Messi experienced a largely injury-free start to the 2014–15 season, allowing him to break three more longstanding records towards the end of the year. A hat-trick scored against Sevilla on 22 November made him the all-time top scorer in La Liga, as he surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra. A third hat-trick, scored against city rivals Espanyol on 7 December, allowed him to surpass César Rodríguez as the all-time top scorer in the Derbi barceloní with 12 goals. Messi again placed second in the FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, largely owing to his second-place achievement with Argentina at the World Cup.

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

– Barcelona's then assistant coach Henk Ten Cate on Messi's first-team debut.

– Fabio Capello praises the 18-year-old Messi following the Joan Gamper trophy in August 2005.

As the season's Champions League top scorer with nine goals, the youngest in the tournament's history, Messi scored two goals and assisted two more to ensure a 4–0 quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich. He returned as a false nine during the final on 27 May in Rome against Manchester United. Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe by winning the match 2–0, the second goal coming from a Messi header over goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Barcelona thus achieved the first treble in the history of Spanish football. This success was reflected in a new contract, signed on 18 September, which committed Messi to the club through 2016 with a new buyout clause of €250 million, while his salary increased to €12 million. His team's prosperity continued into the second half of 2009, as Barcelona became the first club to achieve the sextuple, winning six top-tier trophies in a single year. After victories in the Supercopa de España and UEFA Super Cup in August, Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup against Estudiantes de La Plata on 19 December, with Messi scoring the winning 2–1 goal with his chest. At 22 years old, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, both times by the greatest voting margin in each trophy's history.

– Arsène Wenger commends Messi for his four–goal display against Arsenal in April 2010.

Unsatisfied with his position on the right wing – with the club's summer acquisition Zlatan Ibrahimović occupying the central forward role – Messi resumed playing as a false nine in early 2010, beginning with a Champions League last 16-round match against VfB Stuttgart. After a first-leg draw, Barcelona won the second leg 4–0 with two goals and an assist from Messi. At that point, he effectively became the tactical focal point of Guardiola's team, and his goalscoring rate increased. Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions that season, equaling Ronaldo's club record from the 1996–97 campaign. He scored all of his side's four goals in the Champions League quarter-final against Arsène Wenger's Arsenal on 6 April while becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in the competition. Although Barcelona were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual champions, Inter Milan, Messi finished the season as top scorer (with 8 goals) for the second consecutive year. As the league's top scorer with 34 goals (again tying Ronaldo's record), he helped Barcelona win a second consecutive La Liga trophy with only a single defeat.

Towards the end of the season, Barcelona played four Clásicos in the span of 18 days. A league match on 16 April ended in a draw after a penalty from Messi. After Barcelona lost the Copa del Rey final four days later, Messi scored both goals in his side's 2–0 win in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals in Madrid, the second of which – a slaloming dribble past three Real players – was acclaimed as one of the best ever in the competition. Although he did not score, he was again important in the second-leg draw that sent Barcelona through to the Champions League final, where they faced Manchester United in a repeat of the final two years earlier. As the competition's top scorer for the third consecutive year, with 12 goals, Messi gave a man-of-the-match performance at Wembley on 28 May, scoring the match-winning goal of Barça's 3–1 victory. Barcelona won a third consecutive La Liga title. In addition to his 31 goals, Messi was also the league's top assist provider with 18. He finished the season with 53 goals and 24 assists in all competitions, becoming Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer and the first player in Spanish football to reach the 50-goal benchmark.

– Pep Guardiola after Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer at age 24 in March 2012

Despite Messi's individual form, Barcelona's four-year cycle of success under Guardiola – one of the greatest eras in the club's history – drew to an end. Although Barcelona won the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao on 25 May, its 14th title of that period, the team lost the league to Real Madrid and was eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual champions, Chelsea, with Messi sending a crucial second-leg penalty kick against the crossbar. In Barça's last home league match on 5 May, against Espanyol, Messi scored all four goals before approaching the bench to embrace Guardiola, who had announced his resignation as manager. He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all competitions surpassed Gerd Müller's 67 goals in the 1972–73 Bundesliga season, making him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football.

Barcelona had virtually secured their La Liga title by the start of 2013, eventually equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. However, their performances deteriorated in the second half of the 2012–13 campaign, concurrently with Vilanova's absence due to ill health. After losing successive Clásicos, including the Copa del Rey semi-finals, they were nearly eliminated in the first knockout round of the Champions League by Milan, but a revival of form in the second leg led to a 4–0 comeback, with two goals and an assist from Messi. Now in his ninth senior season with Barcelona, Messi signed a new contract on 7 February, committing himself to the club through 2018, while his fixed wage rose to €13 million. He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, on 17 March, in a league match against Rayo Vallecano; by then, he had become the team's tactical focal point to a degree that was arguably rivalled only by former Barcelona players Josep Samitier, László Kubala and Johan Cruyff. Since his evolution into a false nine three years earlier, his input into the team's attack had increased exponentially; from 24% in their treble-winning campaign, his goal contribution rose to more than 40% that season.

– Defender Gerard Piqué explains Barcelona's reliance on an unfit Messi against Paris Saint-Germain in April 2013.

After four largely injury-free seasons, the muscular injuries that had previously plagued Messi reoccurred. After he suffered a hamstring strain on 2 April, during the first quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, his appearances became sporadic. In the second leg against PSG, with an underperforming Barcelona down a goal, Messi came off the bench in the second half and within nine minutes helped create their game-tying goal, which allowed them to progress to the semi-finals. Still unfit, he proved ineffective during the first leg against Bayern Munich and was unable to play at all during the second, as Barcelona were defeated 7–0 on aggregate by the eventual champions. These matches gave credence to the notion of Messidependencia, Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological dependence on their star player.

Messi continued to struggle with injury throughout 2013, eventually parting ways with his long-time personal physiotherapist. Further damage to his hamstring sustained on 12 May ended his goalscoring streak of 21 consecutive league games, a worldwide record; he had netted 33 goals during his run, including a four-goal display against Osasuna, while becoming the first player to score consecutively against all 19 opposition teams in La Liga. With 60 goals in all competitions, including 46 goals in La Liga, he finished the campaign as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in history to win the European Golden Shoe three times. Following an irregular start to the new season under manager Gerardo Martino, formerly of his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys, Messi suffered his fifth injury of 2013 when he tore his hamstring on 10 November, leaving him sidelined for two months. Despite his injuries, he was voted runner-up for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, relinquishing the award after a four-year monopoly to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Towards the end of the campaign, Messi scored in a 1–0 away win over Atlético Madrid on 17 May, securing the La Liga title. Among his 43 league goals that season was a hat-trick scored in 11 minutes against Rayo Vallecano on 8 March, the fastest of his senior career; it was his 32nd hat-trick overall for Barcelona, allowing him to overtake Telmo Zarra with the most hat-tricks in Spanish football. As the season's top assist provider with 18 he surpassed Luís Figo with the most assists in La Liga; he made his record 106th assist in a fixture against Levante on 15 February, in which he also scored a hat-trick. Messi scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–1 in the Copa del Rey final on 30 May, achieving the sixth double in their history. His opening goal was hailed as one of the greatest in his career; he collected the ball near the halfway line and beat four opposing players, before feinting the goalkeeper to score in a tight space by the near post.

In the Champions League, Messi scored twice and assisted on another in their 3–0 semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, now under the stewardship of Guardiola. His second goal, which came only three minutes after his first, saw him chip the ball over goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after his dribble past Jérôme Boateng had made the defender drop to the ground; it went viral, becoming the year's most tweeted about sporting moment, and was named the best goal of the season by UEFA. Despite a second-leg loss, Barcelona progressed to the final on 6 June in Berlin, where they defeated Juventus 3–1 to win their second treble, becoming the first team in history to do so. Although Messi did not score, he participated in each of his side's goals, particularly the second as he forced a parried save from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from which Suárez scored the match-winning goal on the rebound. In addition to being the top assist provider with six assists, Messi finished the competition as the joint top scorer with ten goals, which earned him the distinction of being the first player ever to achieve the top scoring mark in five Champions League seasons. For his efforts during the season, he received the UEFA Best Player in Europe award for a second time.

– In an interview with Barcelona's official magazine, Javier Mascherano outlines Messi's importance to the team.

On 4 March, he scored his 600th senior career goal from a free kick in a 1–0 home win over Atlético Madrid, in La Liga. On 14 March, Messi scored his 99th and 100th Champions League goals in a 3–0 home win over Chelsea, becoming only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this landmark,in fewer appearances, at a younger age and having taken fewer shots than his Portuguese counterpart. His opening goal, which came after only two minutes and eight seconds, was also the fastest of his career, as Barcelona advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition for the eleventh consecutive season. On 7 April, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 win over Leganés including his sixth goal scored from a free-kick for the season, matching the record set by former teammate Ronaldinho. He once again finished the season as the top scorer in La Liga, with 34 goals, which also saw him win his fifth Golden Shoe award. On 21 April, Messi scored Barcelona's second goal – his 40th of the season – in a 5–0 win over Sevilla in the 2018 Copa del Rey Final, later also setting up Suárez's second goal; this was Barcelona's fourth consecutive title and their 30th overall. On 29 April, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 away win over Deportivo de La Coruña, which saw Barcelona claim their 25th league title. On 9 May, Messi scored as Barcelona defeated Villarreal 5–1 to set the longest unbeaten streak (43 games) in La Liga history.

On 27 April, Messi came off the bench and scored the only goal in a 1–0 home win over Levante, which allowed Barcelona to clinch the league title; this was his 450th La Liga appearance, and his first league title as Barcelona's captain. On 1 May, Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals; his second goal of the match, a 35-yard free kick, was the 600th senior club goal of his career, all of which had been scored with Barcelona. In the return leg six days later at Anfield, Barcelona suffered a 4–0 away defeat, which saw Liverpool advance to the final 4–3 on aggregate. On 19 May, in Barcelona's final La Liga match of the season, Messi scored twice in a 2–2 away draw against Eibar (his 49th and 50th goals of the season in all competitions), which saw him capture his sixth Pichichi Trophy as the league's top scorer, with 36 goals in 34 appearances; with six titles, he equalled Zarra as the player with the most top-scorer awards in La Liga. He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 2016–17 season. On 25 May, Messi scored his final goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat to Valencia in the 2019 Copa del Rey Final.

During the World Cup in Germany, Messi witnessed their opening match victory against the Ivory Coast from the substitutes' bench. In the next match, against Serbia and Montenegro, he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a FIFA World Cup when he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute. He assisted their fourth strike within minutes and scored the final goal in their 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth-youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. As their progression to the knockout phase was secured, several starters were rested during the last group match. Messi consequently started the game against the Netherlands, a 0–0 draw, as they won their group on goal differential. In the round of 16 match against Mexico, played on his 19th birthday, Messi came on in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 1–1. He appeared to score a goal, but it was contentiously ruled offside, with the team needing a late goal in extra time to proceed. He did not play in the quarter-final against Germany, during which Argentina were eliminated 4–2 in a penalty shootout. Back home, Pékerman's decision to leave him on the bench against Germany led to widespread criticism from those who believed Messi could have changed the outcome of the match in Argentina's favour.

Despite their poor qualifying campaign, Argentina were considered title contenders at the World Cup in South Africa. At the start of the tournament, the new formation proved effective; Messi managed at least four attempts on goal during their opening match but was repeatedly denied by Nigeria's goalkeeper, resulting in a 1–0 win. During the next match, against South Korea, he excelled in his playmaking role, participating in all four goals of his side's 4–1 victory. As their place in the knockout phase was guaranteed, most of the starters were rested during the last group match, but Messi reportedly refused to be benched. He wore the captain's armband for the first time in their 2–0 win against Greece; as the focal point of their play, he helped create their second goal to see Argentina finish as group winners. In the round of 16, they defeated Mexico 3–1, with Messi assisting their first goal, a controversial strike that stood despite being offside.

Argentina were eliminated in the quarter-final against Germany, at the same stage of the tournament and by the same opponent as four years earlier. Their 4–0 loss was their worst margin of defeat at a World Cup since 1974. FIFA subsequently identified Messi as one of the tournament's 10 best players, citing his "outstanding" pace and creativity and "spectacular and efficient" dribbling, shooting and passing. Back home, however, Messi was the subject of harsher judgement. As the perceived best player in the world, he had been expected to lead an average team to the title, as Maradona arguably did in 1986, but he had failed to replicate his performances at Barcelona with the national team, leading to the accusation that he cared less about his country than his club.

Maradona was replaced by Sergio Batista , who had orchestrated Argentina's Olympic victory. Batista publicly stated that he intended to build the team around Messi, employing him as a false nine within a 4–3–3 system, as used to much success by Barcelona. Although Messi scored a record 53 goals during the 2010–11 club season, he had not scored for Argentina in an official match since March 2009. Despite the tactical change, his goal drought continued during the 2011 Copa América, hosted by Argentina. Their first two matches, against Bolivia and Colombia, ended in draws. Media and fans noted that he did not combine well with striker Carlos Tevez, who enjoyed greater popularity among the Argentine public; Messi was consequently booed by his own team's supporters for the first time in his career. During the crucial next match, with Tevez on the bench, he gave a well-received performance, assisting two goals in their 3–0 victory over Costa Rica. After the quarter-final against Uruguay ended in a 1–1 draw following extra time, with Messi having assisted their equaliser, Argentina were eliminated 4–5 in the penalty shootout by the eventual champions.

Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, doubts persisted over Messi's form, as he finished an unsuccessful and injury-plagued season with Barcelona. At the start of the tournament, however, he gave strong performances, being elected man of the match in their first four matches. In his first World Cup match as captain, he led them to a 2–1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina; he helped create Sead Kolašinac's own goal and scored their second strike after a dribble past three players, his first World Cup goal since his debut in the tournament eight years earlier. During the second match against Iran, he scored an injury-time goal from 25 yards out to end the game in a 1–0 win, securing their qualification for the knockout phase. He scored twice in the last group match, a 3–2 victory over Nigeria, his second goal from a free kick, as they finished first in their group. Messi assisted a late goal in extra time to ensure a 1–0 win against Switzerland in the round of 16, before starting the play that led to their match-winning 1–0 goal in the quarter-final against Belgium, helping Argentina progress to the semi-final of the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Following a 0–0 draw in extra time, they eliminated the Netherlands 4–2 in a penalty shootout to reach the final, with Messi scoring his team's first penalty.

As Messi evolved from the team's symbolic captain into a genuine leader, he led Argentina to the knockout stage as group winners. In the quarter-final, they created numerous chances, including a rebound header by Messi, but were repeatedly denied by Colombia's goalkeeper, and ultimately ended the match scoreless, leading to a 5–4 penalty shootout in their favour, with Messi netting his team's first spot kick. At the semi-final stage, Messi excelled as playmaker as he provided three assists and helped create three more goals in his side's 6–1 victory over Paraguay, receiving applause from the initially hostile crowd. Argentina started the final as the odds-on title favourites, but were defeated by Chile 4–1 in a penalty shootout after an 0–0 extra-time draw. Faced with aggression from opposing players, including taking a boot to the midriff, Messi played below his standards, though he was the only Argentine to successfully convert his penalty. At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the Most Valuable Player award but rejected the honour. As Argentina continued a trophy drought that began in 1993, the World Cup and Copa América defeats again brought intense criticism for Messi from Argentine media and fans.

– Gabriel Batistuta on the consolation of Messi breaking his record.

During a repeat of the previous year's final on 26 June, Argentina once again lost to Chile on penalties after a 0–0 deadlock, resulting in Messi's third consecutive defeat in a major tournament final with Argentina, and his fourth overall. After the match, Messi, who had missed his penalty in the shootout, announced his retirement from international football. He stated, "I tried my hardest. The team has ended for me, a decision made." Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said after the match, "My generation can't compare him to Maradona that's for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine football. But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States." Messi finished the tournament as the second highest scorer, behind Eduardo Vargas , with five goals, and was the highest assist provider with four assists, also winning more Man of the Match awards than any other player in the tournament (3); he was named to the team of the tournament for his performances, but missed out on the Golden Ball Award for best player, which went to Alexis Sánchez.

– Former Argentine player Osvaldo Ardiles on the decline in quality of Argentina being masked by Messi.

In Argentina's final group match against Nigeria at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on 26 June, Messi scored the opening goal in an eventual 2–1 victory, becoming the third Argentine after Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta to score in three different World Cups; he also became the first player to score in the World Cup in his teens, twenties, and his thirties. A goal of the tournament contender, Messi received a long pass from midfield and controlled the ball on the run with two touches before striking it across goal into the net with his weaker right foot. Argentina progressed to the second round as group runners-up behind Croatia. In the round of 16 match against eventual champions France on 30 June, Messi set up Gabriel Mercado's and Sergio Agüero's goals in a 4–3 defeat, which saw Argentina eliminated from the World Cup. With his two assists in his team's second round fixture, Messi became the first player to provide an assist in the last four World Cups, and also became the first player to provide two assists in a match for Argentina since Diego Maradona had managed the same feat against South Korea in 1986.

Tactically, Messi plays in a free attacking role; a versatile player, he is capable of attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch. His favoured position in childhood was the playmaker behind two strikers, known as the enganche in Argentine football, but he began his career in Spain as a left-winger or left-sided forward. Upon his first-team debut, he was moved onto the right wing by manager Frank Rijkaard; from this position, he could more easily cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch and curl shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly cross balls for teammates. Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a false nine role; positioned as a centre-forward or lone striker, he would roam the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta. Under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, Messi initially returned to playing in the right-sided position that characterised much of his early career in the manager's 4–3–3 formation, while he was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free playmaking role in later seasons. Under manager Ernesto Valverde, Messi played in a variety of roles. While he occasionally continued to be deployed in a deeper role, from which he could make runs from behind into the box, or even on the right wing or as a false nine, he was also used in a more offensive, central role in a 4–2–3–1, or as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, where he was once again given the licence to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate his teams attacking plays, and create chances for his attacking partner Suárez.

– Diego Maradona hails the 18-year-old Messi as his successor in February 2006.

Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, as part of an ongoing rivalry that has been compared to past sports rivalries like the Muhammad Ali–Joe Frazier rivalry in boxing, the Björn Borg–John McEnroe rivalry in tennis, and the Ayrton Senna–Alain Prost rivalry from Formula One motor racing.

– US president Barack Obama when given an honorary number 10 jersey at the White House.

Other events have illustrated Messi's presence in popular culture. A solid gold replica of his left foot, weighing 25 kg (55 lb) and valued at $5.25 million, went on sale in Japan in March 2013 to raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. A 2013 Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi, in which he engages in a selfie competition with then-Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, was the most-watched ad on YouTube in the year of its release, receiving 137 million views, and was subsequently voted the best advertisement of the 2005–15 decade to commemorate YouTube's founding. World Press Photo selected "The Final Game", a photograph of Messi facing the World Cup trophy after Argentina's final defeat to Germany, as the best sports image of 2014. Messi, a documentary about his life by filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2014. Born in a zoo at Saransk, Mordovia, Russia in late 2015, Messi, a pet cougar who became popular on social media, was named after the player.

– Endocrinologist Dr. Diego Schwarzstein addressed Messi's growth hormone deficiency from 1997 to 2001. According to Bleacher Report's Richard Fitzpatrick , "Schwarzstein and Messi built up a close relationship during more than four years of treatment."

As Messi maintained his goalscoring form into the second half of the season, the year 2012 saw him break several longstanding records. On 7 March, two weeks after scoring four goals in a league fixture against Valencia, he scored five times in a Champions League last 16-round match against Bayer Leverkusen, an unprecedented achievement in the history of the competition. In addition to being the joint top assist provider with five assists, this feat made him top scorer with 14 goals, tying José Altafini's record from the 1962–63 season, as well as becoming only the second player after Gerd Müller to be top scorer in four campaigns. Two weeks later, on 20 March, Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of César Rodríguez's 232 goals with a hat-trick against Granada.

Under manager Tito Vilanova , who had first coached him aged 14 at La Masia, Messi helped the club achieve its best-ever start to a La Liga season during the second half of 2012, amassing 55 points by the competition's midway point, a record in Spanish football. A double scored on 9 December against Real Betis saw Messi break two longstanding records: he surpassed César Rodríguez's record of 190 league goals, becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in La Liga, and Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year, overtaking his 85 goals scored in 1972 for Bayern Munich and Germany. Messi sent Müller a number 10 Barcelona shirt, signed "with respect and admiration", after breaking his 40-year record. At the close of the year, Messi had scored a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina. Although FIFA did not acknowledge the achievement, citing verifiability issues, he received the Guinness World Records title for most goals scored in a calendar year. As the odds-on favourite, Messi again won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.

Under Sabella, Messi's goalscoring rate drastically increased; where he had scored only 17 goals in 61 matches under his previous managers, he scored 25 times in 32 appearances during the following three years. He netted a total of 12 goals in 9 games for Argentina in 2012, equalling the record held by Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals scored in a calendar year for their country. His first hat-trick with the Albicelestes came in a friendly against Switzerland on 29 February 2012, followed by two more hat-tricks over the next year-and-a-half in friendlies against Brazil and Guatemala. Messi then helped the team secure their place in the 2014 World Cup with a 5–2 victory over Paraguay on 10 September 2013; in addition to providing an assist, he scored twice from a penalty kick, taking his international tally to 37 goals to become Argentina's second-highest goalscorer behind Batistuta. Overall, he had scored a total of 10 goals in 14 matches during the qualifying campaign. Concurrently with his bettered performances, his relationship with his compatriots improved, as he gradually began to be perceived more favourably in Argentina.

Messi and Roccuzzo have three sons: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015) and Ciro (born 2018). To celebrate his partner's first pregnancy, Messi placed the ball under his shirt after scoring in Argentina's 4–0 win against Ecuador on 2 June 2012, before confirming the pregnancy in an interview two weeks later. Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012, with Messi attending the birth after being given permission by Barcelona to miss training. He announced his son's arrival on his Facebook page, writing, "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!" Thiago's name and handprints are tattooed on his left calf. In April 2015, Messi confirmed on Facebook that they were expecting another child. He missed training ahead of a match against Atlético Madrid to attend the birth of his second son, Mateo, on 11 September 2015 in Barcelona. On 30 June 2017, he married Roccuzzo at a luxury hotel named Hotel City Center in Rosario with about 260 guests attending his wedding. On 15 October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting their third child in an Instagram post, with the words "Family of 5". On 10 March 2018, Messi skipped the match against Málaga after Ciro was born.

Since leaving for Spain at age 13, Messi has maintained close ties to his hometown of Rosario, even preserving his distinct Rosarino accent. He has kept ownership of his family's old house, although it has long stood empty; he maintains a penthouse apartment in an exclusive residential building for his mother, as well as a family compound just outside the city. Once when he was in training with the national team in Buenos Aires, he made a three-hour trip by car to Rosario immediately after practice to have dinner with his family, spent the night with them, and returned to Buenos Aires the next day in time for practice. Messi keeps in daily contact via phone and text with a small group of confidants in Rosario, most of whom were fellow members of "The Machine of '87" at Newell's Old Boys. He currently lives in Castelldefels, a village near Barcelona. Although considered a one-club man, he has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's. He was on bad terms with the club after his transfer to Barcelona, but by 2012 their public feud had ended, with Newell's embracing their ties with Messi, even issuing a club membership card to his newborn son.

As Messi developed into a combination of a number 8 (a creator), a 9 (scorer), and a 10 (assistant), he scored an unprecedented 73 goals and provided 29 assists in all club competitions during the 2011–12 season, producing a hat-trick or more on 10 occasions. He began the campaign by helping Barcelona win both the Spanish and European Super Cups; in the Supercopa de España, he scored three times to achieve a 5–4 aggregate victory over Real Madrid, overtaking Raúl as the competition's all-time top scorer with eight goals. At the close of the year, on 18 December, he scored twice in the FIFA Club World Cup final, a 4–0 victory over Santos, earning the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, as he had done two years previously. For his efforts in 2011, he again received the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, after Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten. Additionally, he won the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, a revival of the old-style Ballon d'Or. By then, Messi was already widely considered one of the best footballers in history, alongside players like Diego Maradona and Pelé.

After Argentina's unsuccessful performance in the Copa América, Batista was replaced by Alejandro Sabella . Upon his appointment in August 2011, Sabella awarded the 24-year-old Messi the captaincy of the squad, in accord with then-captain Javier Mascherano . Reserved by nature, Messi went on to lead his squad by example as their best player, while Mascherano continued to fulfil the role of the team's on-field leader and motivator. In a further redesign of the team, Sabella dismissed Tevez and brought in players with whom Messi had won the World Youth Championship and Olympic Games. Now playing in a free role in an improving team, Messi ended his goal drought by scoring during their first World Cup qualifying match against Chile on 7 October, his first official goal for Argentina in two-and-a-half years.

Messi's global popularity and influence are well documented. He was among the Time 100, an annual list of the world's most influential people as published by Time, in 2011 and 2012. His fanbase on the social media website Facebook is among the largest of all public figures: within seven hours of its launch in April 2011, his Facebook page had nearly seven million followers, and by November 2013, he had become only the second sportsperson, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to amass over 50 million followers. He has over 130 million Instagram followers, the second highest for a sportsperson, after Cristiano Ronaldo. According to a 2014 survey by sports research firm Repucom in 15 international markets, Messi was familiar to 87% of respondents around the world, of whom 78% perceived him favourably, making him the second-most recognised player globally, behind Ronaldo, and the most likable of all contemporary players.

According to a genealogical research conducted by Diari Segre in 2011, Messi is a fourth cousin of former teammate Bojan Krkić. The finding had a very significant coverage in Spanish media: it was reported by all four major sports newspapers and by some of the largest general-interest newspapers, including ABC and La Vanguardia.

Messi secured Barcelona's first trophy of the 2010–11 campaign, the Supercopa de España, by scoring a hat-trick in his side's second-leg 4–0 victory over Sevilla, after a first-leg defeat. Assuming a playmaking role, he was again instrumental in a Clásico on 29 November 2010, the first with José Mourinho in charge of Real Madrid, as Barcelona defeated their rivals 5–0. Messi helped the team achieve 16 consecutive league victories, a record in Spanish football, concluding with another hat-trick against Atlético Madrid on 5 February 2011. His club performances in 2010 earned him the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or, an amalgamation of the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, though his win was met with some criticism due to his lack of success with Argentina at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Under the award's old format, he would have placed just outside the top three, owing his win to the votes from the international coaches and captains.

In addition to his salary and bonuses, much of his income derives from endorsements; SportsPro has consequently cited him as one of the world's most marketable athletes every year since their research began in 2010. His main sponsor since 2006 is the sportswear company Adidas. As Barcelona's leading youth prospect, he had been signed with Nike since age 14, but transferred to Adidas after they successfully challenged their rival's claim to his image rights in court. Over time, Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser; from 2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, he became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas Messi. Since 2017, Messi has worn the latest version of the Adidas Nemeziz. In 2015, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name and number (Messi, 10) was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.

As a commercial entity, Messi's marketing brand has been based exclusively on his talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more glamorous players like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. At the start of his career, he thus mainly held sponsorship contracts with companies that employ sports-oriented marketing, such as Adidas, Pepsi, and Konami. From 2010 onwards, concurrently with his increased achievements as a player, his marketing appeal widened, leading to long-term endorsement deals with luxury brands Dolce & Gabbana and Audemars Piguet. Messi is also a global brand ambassador for Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Ooredoo, and Tata Motors, among other companies. Additionally, Messi was the face of Konami's video game series Pro Evolution Soccer, appearing on the covers of PES 2009, PES 2010, PES 2011 and PES 2020. He subsequently signed with rival company EA Sports to become the face of their series FIFA and has since appeared on four consecutive covers from FIFA 13 to FIFA 16. His 'Point to the Sky' goal celebration first appears in FIFA 14.

During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep Guardiola, Messi played mainly on the right wing, like he had under Rijkaard, though this time as a false winger with the freedom to cut inside and roam the centre. During the Clásico on 2 May 2009, however, he played for the first time as a false nine, positioned as a centre-forward but dropping deep into midfield to link up with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. He assisted his side's first goal and scored twice to end the match in an emphatic 6–2 victory, the team's greatest-ever score at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Returning to the wing, he played his first final since breaking into the first team on 13 May, scoring once and assisting a second goal as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4–1 to win the Copa del Rey. With 23 league goals from Messi that season, Barcelona became La Liga champions three days later and achieved its fifth double.

From late 2008, the national team experienced a three-year period marked by poor performances. Under manager Diego Maradona, who had led Argentina to World Cup victory as a player, the team struggled to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, securing their place in the tournament only after defeating Uruguay 1–0 in their last qualifying match. Maradona was criticised for his strategic decisions, which included playing Messi out of his usual position. In eight qualifying matches under Maradona's stewardship, Messi scored only one goal, netting the opening goal in the first such match, a 4–0 victory over Venezuela. During that game, played on 28 March 2009, he wore Argentina's number 10 shirt for the first time, following the international retirement of Riquelme. Overall, Messi scored four goals in 18 appearances during the qualifying process. Ahead of the tournament, Maradona visited Messi in Barcelona to request his tactical input; Messi then outlined a 4–3–1–2 formation with himself playing behind the two strikers, a playmaking position known as the enganche in Argentine football, which had been his preferred position since childhood.

A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20. Diego Maradona considered the 18-year-old Messi the best player in the world alongside Ronaldinho, while the Brazilian himself, shortly after winning the Ballon d'Or, commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça," in reference to his protégé. Four years later, after Messi had won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin, the public debate regarding his qualities as a player moved beyond his status in contemporary football to the possibility that he was one of the greatest players in history. An early proponent was his then-manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, declared Messi to be the best player he had ever seen. In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players, and by the end of Barça's second treble-winning season, Messi's superiority, ahead of Maradona and Pelé, had become the apparent view among many fans and pundits in continental Europe. A frequent dismissal, however, has centred on the fact that Messi has not won the FIFA World Cup or any other major trophy with Argentina, leading the majority in the sport to instead cite him as arguably the best club player in history. In particular, Messi's apparent lacklustre performances outside of Barcelona have also led to opinions that, despite all his otherworldly ability and greatness, Messi may not perform nearly as well on another team.

According to France Football, Messi was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014; he was the first player to exceed the €40 million benchmark, with earnings of €41 million in 2013, and the €50–€60 million points, with income of €65 million in 2014. Messi was second on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes (after Cristiano Ronaldo) with income of $81.4 million from his salary and endorsements in 2015–16. In 2018 he was the first player to exceed the €100m benchmark for a calendar year, with earnings of €126m ($154m) in combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements. Forbes ranked him the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019. Since 2008, he has been Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from €7.8 million to €13 million over the next five years. Signing a new Barcelona contract in 2017, he earns $667,000 per week in wages, and Barcelona also paid him $59.6 million as a signing on bonus. His buyout clause is set at $835 million (€700 million).

After Ronaldinho lost form, Messi became Barça's new star player at only 20 years old, receiving the nickname "Messiah" from the Spanish media. His efforts in 2007 also earned him award recognition; journalists voted him the third-best player of the year for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, behind Kaká and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo, while international managers and national team captains voted him second for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, again behind Kaká. Although he managed to score 16 goals during the 2007–08 campaign, the second half of his season was again marred by injuries after he suffered a torn hamstring on 15 December. He returned to score twice in their away victory against Celtic in the last 16 round of the Champions League, becoming the competition's top scorer at that point with six goals, but reinjured himself during the return leg on 4 March 2008. Rijkaard had fielded him despite warning from the medical staff, leading captain Carles Puyol to criticise the Spanish media for pressuring Messi to play every match. Barcelona finished the season without trophies, eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual champions, Manchester United, and placed third in the league.

After two unsuccessful seasons, Barcelona were in need of an overhaul, leading to the departure of Rijkaard and Ronaldinho. Upon the latter's departure, Messi was given the number 10 shirt. He signed a new contract in July 2008 on an annual salary of €7.8 million, becoming the club's highest-paid player. Ahead of the new season, a major concern remained his frequent muscular injuries, which had left him side-lined for a total of eight months between 2006 and 2008. To combat the problem, the club implemented new training, nutrition, and lifestyle regimens, and assigned him a personal physiotherapist, who would travel with him during call-ups for the Argentina national team. As a result, Messi remained virtually injury-free during the next four years, allowing him to reach his full potential. Despite his injuries early in the year, his performances in 2008 saw him again voted runner-up for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, both times behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

In his first uninterrupted campaign, the 2008–09 season, he scored 38 goals in 51 games, contributing alongside Eto'o and winger Thierry Henry to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club.

Ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Barcelona legally barred Messi from representing Argentina at the tournament as it coincided with their Champions League qualifying matches. After interference from newly appointed Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who had won the tournament in 1992, Messi was permitted to join Sergio Batista's under-23 squad in Beijing. During the first match, he scored the opening goal and assisted another in their 2–1 victory over the Ivory Coast. Following a 1–0 win in the next group match against Australia, ensuring their quarter-final qualification, Messi was rested during the game against Serbia, while his side won the match to finish first in their group. Against the Netherlands, he again scored the first goal and assisted a second strike to help his team to a 2–1 win in extra time. After a 3–0 semi-final victory over Brazil, Messi assisted the only goal in the final as Argentina defeated Nigeria to claim Olympic gold medals. Along with Riquelme, Messi was singled out by FIFA as the stand-out player from the tournament's best team.

Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry, they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world: since 2008, Messi has won six Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five, six FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo's four. Pundits and fans regularly argue the individual merits of both players; beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques – Ronaldo is 1.87 m (6 ft 1  ⁄2  in) with a muscular build – and contrasting public personalities, with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics a foil to Messi's humility. From 2009–10 to 2017–18, Messi faced Ronaldo at least twice every season in El Clásico, which ranks among the world's most viewed annual sports events. Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, a fellow native of Rosario. He has known Roccuzzo since he was five years old, as she is the cousin of his best friend since childhood, Lucas Scaglia , who is also a football player. After keeping their relationship private for a year, Messi first confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009, before going public a month later during a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona–Espanyol derby.

As Messi evolved into one of the best players in the world, he secured a place in Alfio Basile's starting line-up, as part of a team considered favourites to win the 2007 Copa América, held in Venezuela. He set up the game-winning goal of their 4–1 victory over the United States in the opening match, before winning a penalty that led to the game-tying first strike of their 4–2 win in the next match against Colombia. As they had secured their place in the knockout phase, Messi started the next game on the bench, coming on in the last 25 minutes with the score at 0–0 to help his team defeat Paraguay by assisting their only goal. At the quarter-final stage, where the group winners faced Peru, he scored the second goal of a 4–0 victory that saw them through to the semi-final, during which he chipped the ball over Mexico's goalkeeper to ensure another 3–0 win. In a surprise defeat, Argentina lost the final 3–0 to a Brazil squad that lacked several of the nation's best players. Their unexpected loss was followed by much criticism in Argentina, though Messi was mostly exempt due to his young age and secondary status to star player Juan Román Riquelme. He was named the best young player of the tournament by CONMEBOL.

In addition to his work with UNICEF, Messi founded his own charitable organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport for children. It was established in 2007 following a visit Messi paid to a hospital for terminally ill children in Boston, an experience that resonated with him to the point that he decided to reinvest part of his earnings into society. Through his foundation, Messi has awarded research grants, financed medical training, and invested in the development of medical centres and projects in Argentina, Spain, and elsewhere in the world. In addition to his own fundraising activities, such as his global "Messi and Friends" football matches, his foundation receives financial support from various companies to which he has assigned his name in endorsement agreements, with Adidas as their main sponsor.

One of the most famous athletes in the world, Messi has been sponsored by sportswear company Adidas since 2006 and has established himself as their leading brand endorser. According to France Football, he was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014, and was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2019. Messi was among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2011 and 2012. In 2020, he was awarded the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. Throughout his career, Messi has also been involved in charitable efforts; he is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Due to issues regarding his legal status in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Messi missed the start of La Liga, but on 26 September, he acquired Spanish citizenship and became eligible to play. Wearing the number 19 shirt, he gradually established himself as the first-choice right winger, forming an attacking trio with Ronaldinho and striker Samuel Eto'o. He was in the starting line-up in major matches like his first Clásico against rivals Real Madrid on 19 November, as well as Barcelona's away victory over Chelsea in the last 16 round of the Champions League. After he had scored 8 goals in 25 games, including his first in the Champions League, his season ended prematurely during the return leg against Chelsea on 7 March 2006, when he suffered a torn hamstring. Messi worked to regain fitness in time for the Champions League final, but on 17 May, the day of the final, he was eventually ruled out. He was so disappointed that he did not celebrate his team's victory over Arsenal in Paris, something he later came to regret.

While Barcelona began a gradual decline, the 19-year-old Messi established himself as one of the best players in the world during the 2006–07 campaign. Already an idol to the culés, the club's supporters, he scored 17 goals in 36 games across all competitions. However, he continued to be plagued by major injuries; a metatarsal fracture sustained on 12 November 2006 kept him out of action for three months. He recovered in time for the last 16 round of the Champions League against Liverpool, but was effectively marked out of the game; Barcelona, the reigning champions, were out of the competition. In the league, his goal contribution increased towards the end of the season; 11 of his 14 goals came from the last 13 games. On 10 March 2007, he scored his first hat-trick in a Clásico, the first player to do so in 12 years, equalising after each goal by Real Madrid to end the match in a 3–3 draw in injury time. His growing importance to the club was reflected in a new contract, signed that month, which greatly increased his wages.

An Argentine international, Messi is his country's all-time leading goalscorer. At youth level, he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, finishing the tournament with both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe, and an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed dribbler drew comparisons with his compatriot Diego Maradona, who described Messi as his successor. After his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup during the 2006 edition, and reached the final of the 2007 Copa América, where he was named young player of the tournament. As the squad's captain from August 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for which he won the Golden Ball, and the 2015 and 2016 Copas América. After announcing his international retirement in 2016, he reversed his decision and led his country to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa América.

During the 2004–05 season, Messi was a guaranteed starter for the B team, playing 17 games throughout the campaign and scoring on six occasions. Since his debut the previous November, he had not been called up to the first team again, but in October 2004, the senior players asked manager Frank Rijkaard to promote him. Since Ronaldinho already played on the left wing, Rijkaard moved Messi from his usual position onto the right flank (though initially against the player's wishes), allowing him to cut into the centre of the pitch and shoot with his dominant left foot. Messi made his league debut during the next match on 16 October, against Espanyol, coming on in the 82nd minute. At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition. As a substitute player, he played 77 minutes in nine matches for the first team that season, including his debut in the UEFA Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. He scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005, against Albacete, from an assist by Ronaldinho, becoming – at that time – the youngest-ever scorer for the club. Barcelona, in their second season under Rijkaard, won the league for the first time in six years.

On 24 June 2005, his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player. It made him a Barcelona player until 2010, two years less than his previous contract, but his buyout clause increased to €150 million. His breakthrough came two months later, on 24 August, during the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barcelona's pre-season competition. A starter for the first time, he gave a well-received performance against Fabio Capello's Juventus, receiving an ovation from the Camp Nou. While Capello requested to loan Messi, a bid to buy him came from Inter Milan, who were willing to pay his €150 million buyout clause and triple his wages. According to then-president Joan Laporta , it was the only time the club faced a real risk of losing Messi, but he ultimately decided to stay. On 16 September, his contract was updated for the second time in three months and extended to 2014.

Aware of his physical limitations, Messi employed a personal trainer to increase his muscle mass, returning to the squad in an improved condition in time for the World Youth Championship, hosted by the Netherlands in June 2005. After he was left out of the starting line-up in their first match against the United States, a 1–0 defeat, the squad's senior players asked manager Francisco Ferraro to let Messi start, as they considered him their best player. After helping the team defeat Egypt and Germany to progress past the group stage, Messi proved decisive in the knockout phase as he scored their equaliser against Colombia, provided a goal and an assist against title favourites Spain, and scored their opening goal against reigning champions Brazil. Ahead of the final, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. He scored two penalties in their 2–1 victory over Nigeria, clinching Argentina's fifth championship and finishing the tournament as top scorer with 6 goals. His performances drew comparisons with compatriot Diego Maradona, who had led Argentina to the title in 1979.

In recognition of his achievements with the under-20 side, senior manager José Pékerman gave Messi his first call-up for a friendly against Hungary on 17 August 2005. Aged 18, Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in the Ferenc Puskás Stadium when he came on in the 63rd minute, only to be sent off after two minutes for a perceived foul against Vilmos Vanczák, who had grabbed his shirt; Messi had struck the defender with his arm while trying to shake him off, which the referee interpreted as an intentional elbowing, a contentious decision. Messi was reportedly found weeping in the dressing room after his sending-off. He returned to the team on 3 September in their World Cup qualifier defeat to Paraguay, which he had declared his "re-debut" ahead of the match. Messi started his first game in the next qualifying match against Peru, in which he was able to win a crucial penalty that secured their victory. After the match, Pékerman described him as "a jewel". He subsequently made regular appearances for the team ahead of Argentina's participation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring his first goal in a friendly against Croatia on 1 March 2006. A hamstring injury sustained a week later jeopardised his presence in the World Cup, but he was nevertheless selected for Pékerman's squad and regained fitness in time for the start of the tournament.

Born and raised in central Argentina, Messi relocated to Spain to join Barcelona at age 13, for whom he made his competitive debut aged 17 in October 2004. He established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, and in his first uninterrupted season in 2008–09 he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football; that year, aged 22, Messi won his first Ballon d'Or. Three successful seasons followed, with Messi winning four consecutive Ballons d'Or, making him the first player to win the award four times and in a row. During the 2011–12 season, he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season, while establishing himself as Barcelona's all-time top scorer. The following two seasons, Messi finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo (his perceived career rival), before regaining his best form during the 2014–15 campaign, becoming the all-time top scorer in La Liga and leading Barcelona to a historic second treble, after which he was awarded a fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015. Messi assumed the captaincy of Barcelona in 2018, and in 2019 he secured a record sixth Ballon d'Or.

To gain further match experience, Messi joined Barcelona C in addition to the Juveniles A, playing his first game for the third team on 29 November. He helped save them from the relegation zone of the Tercera División, scoring five goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in eight minutes during a Copa del Rey match while man-marked by Sevilla's Sergio Ramos. His progress was reflected in his first professional contract, signed on 4 February 2004, which lasted until 2012 and contained an initial buyout clause of €30 million. A month later, on 6 March, he made his debut for Barcelona B in the Segunda División B, and his buyout clause automatically increased to €80 million. He played five games with the B team that season but did not score. Physically he was weaker than his opponents, who were often much older and taller, and in training he worked on increasing his muscle mass and overall strength in order to be able to shake off defenders. Towards the end of the season, he returned to both youth teams, helping the Juveniles B win the league. He finished the campaign having scored for four of his five teams with a total of 36 goals in all official competitions.

Throughout his career, Messi has been involved in charitable efforts aimed at vulnerable children, a commitment that stems in part from the medical difficulties he faced in his own childhood. Since 2004, he has contributed his time and finances to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), an organisation with which Barcelona also have a strong association. Messi has served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the recent earthquake. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children. To celebrate his son's first birthday, in November 2013, Messi and Thiago were part of a publicity campaign to raise awareness of mortality rates among disadvantaged children.

During the 2003–04 season, his fourth with Barcelona, Messi rapidly progressed through the club's ranks, debuting for a record five teams in a single campaign. After being named player of the tournament in four international pre-season competitions with the Juveniles B, he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to the Juveniles A, where he scored 18 goals in 11 league games. Messi was then one of several youth players called up to strengthen a depleted first team during the international break. French winger Ludovic Giuly explained how a teenage Leo caught the eye in a training session with Frank Rijkaard's first team: "He destroyed us all... They were kicking him all over the place to avoid being ridiculed by this kid, he just got up and kept on playing. He would dribble past four players and score a goal. Even the team's starting centre-backs were nervous. He was an alien."

At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first team debut when he came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against José Mourinho's Porto on 16 November 2003. His performance, creating two chances and a shot on goal, impressed the technical staff, and he subsequently began training daily with the club's reserve side, Barcelona B, as well as weekly with the first team. After his first training session with the senior squad, Barça's new star player, Ronaldinho, told his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself. Ronaldinho soon befriended Messi, whom he called "little brother", which greatly eased his transition into the first team.

As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi was eligible to play for the national team of both countries. Selectors for Spain's Under-17 squad began pursuing him in 2003 after Barcelona's director of football, Carles Rexach , alerted the Royal Spanish Football Federation to their young player. Messi declined the offer, having aspired to represent La Albiceleste since childhood. To further prevent Spain from taking him, the Argentine Football Association organised two under-20 friendlies in June 2004, against Paraguay and Uruguay, with the purpose of finalising his status as an Argentina player in FIFA. Five days after his 17th birthday, on 29 June, he made his debut for his country against Paraguay, scoring once and providing two assists in their 8–0 victory. He was subsequently included in the squad for the South American Youth Championship, held in Colombia in February 2005. As he lacked the stamina of his teammates, the result of his former growth hormone deficiency, he was used as a substitute in six of the nine games. After being named man of the match against Venezuela, he scored the winning 2–1 goal in the crucial last match against Brazil, thereby securing their third-place qualification for the FIFA World Youth Championship.

After a year at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, Messi was finally enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in February 2002. Now playing in all competitions, he befriended his teammates, among whom were Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué. After completing his growth hormone treatment aged 14, Messi became an integral part of the "Baby Dream Team", Barcelona's greatest-ever youth side. During his first full season (2002–03), he was top scorer with 36 goals in 30 games for the Cadetes A, who won an unprecedented treble of the league and both the Spanish and Catalan cups. The Copa Catalunya final, a 4–1 victory over Espanyol, became known in club lore as the partido de la máscara, the final of the mask. A week after suffering a broken cheekbone during a league match, Messi was allowed to start the game on the condition that he wear a plastic protector; soon hindered by the mask, he took it off and scored two goals in 10 minutes before his substitution. At the close of the season, he received an offer to join Arsenal, his first from a foreign club, but while Fàbregas and Piqué soon left for England, he chose to remain in Barcelona.

As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with Barcelona in September 2000. First team director Charly Rexach immediately wanted to sign him, but the board of directors hesitated; at the time it was highly unusual for European clubs to sign foreign players of such a young age. On 14 December, an ultimatum was issued for Barcelona to prove their commitment, and Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered a contract on a paper napkin. In February 2001, the family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, Camp Nou. During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the Infantiles due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled to integrate into the team; already reserved by nature, he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.

Billed as Messi versus Germany, the world's best player against the best team, the final was a repeat of the 1990 final featuring Diego Maradona. Within the first half-hour, Messi had started the play that led to a goal, but it was ruled offside. He missed several opportunities to open the scoring throughout the match, in particular at the start of the second half when his breakaway effort went wide of the far post. Substitute Mario Götze finally scored in the 113th minute, followed in the last minute of extra time by a free kick that Messi sent over the net, as Germany won the match 1–0 to claim the World Cup. At the conclusion of the final, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. In addition to being the joint third-highest goalscorer, with four goals and an assist, he created the most chances, completed the most dribbling runs, made the most deliveries into the penalty area and produced the most throughballs in the competition. However, his selection drew criticism due to his lack of goals in the knockout round; FIFA President Sepp Blatter expressed his surprise, while Maradona suggested that Messi had undeservedly been chosen for marketing purposes.

Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾez ˈmesi] ( listen ) ; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Often considered the best player in the world and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record six Ballon d'Or awards, and a record six European Golden Shoes. He has spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, where he has won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles and six Copas del Rey. A prolific goalscorer and a creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals in La Liga (438), a La Liga and European league season (50), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (8), the latter which he shares with his supposed career rival Cristiano Ronaldo, and most assists in La Liga (181) and the Copa América (12). He has scored over 700 senior career goals for club and country.

Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, the third of the four children of Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager, and his wife Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. On his father's side, he is of Italian and Spanish descent, the great-grandson of immigrants from the northcentral Adriatic Marche region of Italy and Catalonia, and on his mother's side, he has primarily Italian ancestry. Growing up in a tight-knit, football-loving family, "Leo" developed a passion for the sport from an early age, playing constantly with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi , both of whom became professional footballers. At the age of four he joined local club Grandoli, where he was coached by his father, though his earliest influence as a player came from his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches. He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute of his grandmother.

Already frequently compared to compatriot Diego Maradona, Messi proved their similarity when he nearly replicated Maradona's two most famous goals in the span of three weeks. During a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe on 18 April, he scored a goal remarkably similar to Maradona's goal in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, known as the Goal of the Century. Messi collected the ball on the right side near the halfway line, ran 60 metres (66 yd), and beat five defenders before scoring with an angled finish, just as Maradona had done. A league match against Espanyol on 9 June saw him score by launching himself at the ball and guiding it past the goalkeeper with his hand in similar fashion to Maradona's Hand of God goal in the same World Cup match. As Messi continued his individual rise, Barcelona faltered; the team failed to reach the Copa del Rey final after Messi was rested during the second leg against Getafe and lost the league to Real Madrid on head-to-head results.

Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his compatriot Diego Maradona, due to their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed dribblers. Initially, he was merely one of many young Argentine players, including his boyhood idol Pablo Aimar , to receive the "New Maradona" moniker, but as his career progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing himself as the greatest player Argentina had produced since Maradona. Jorge Valdano , who won the 1986 World Cup alongside Maradona, said in October 2013, "Messi is Maradona every day. For the last five years, Messi has been the Maradona of the World Cup in Mexico." César Menotti, who as manager orchestrated their 1978 World Cup victory, echoed this sentiment when he opined that Messi plays "at the level of the best Maradona". Other notable Argentines in the sport, such as Osvaldo Ardiles , Javier Zanetti , and Diego Simeone, have expressed their belief that Messi has overtaken Maradona as the best player in history. In Argentine society, Messi is generally held in lesser esteem than Maradona, a consequence of not only his perceived uneven performances with the national team, but also of differences in class, personality, and background. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football. An enduring mark against him is the fact that, although through no fault of his own, he never proved himself in the Argentine Primera División as an upcoming player, achieving stardom overseas from a young age, while his lack of outward passion for the Albiceleste shirt (he does not sing the national anthem and is disinclined to emotional displays) have in the past led to the false perception that he felt Catalan rather than truly Argentine. Despite having lived in Spain since age 13, Messi has said: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy." Moreover, several pundits and footballing figures, including Maradona, have also questioned Messi's leadership with Argentina at times, despite his playing ability. In November 2016, with the Argentine Football Association being run by a FIFA committee for emergency due to an economic crisis, it was reported that three of the national team's security staff told Messi that they had not received their salaries for six months. He stepped in and paid the salaries of the three members.

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Lionel Messi

(professional footballer), lionel messi is an argentine pro footballer. he is one of the maximum goal scorers in football history. lionel is married to his wife and has three children..

Quick Facts of Lionel Messi

There are more important things in life than winning or losing a game.

You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.

What I do is play soccer, which is what I like

Lionel Messi is married to Antonella Roccuzzo {Compare Couple} . Lionel Messi married on June 30 , 2017 . 💑 Anniversary in 10 days 💑 He is father of Three (Thiago, Mateo, Ciro). Lionel Messi is not having an affair with anyone presently. His sexual orientation is straight.

Childhood Love of Lionel Messi! Reflecting the personal life of Lionel Messi, he is married to his longtime girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo . The couple has known each other since childhood. Antonella is the cousin of his best friend Lucas Scaglia, who is also a football player. Messi officially confirmed his relationship with Roccuzzo in an interview in January 2009. They have been dating since 2007. The couple got married on 30 June 2017. The Messi couple has been blessed with three sons , Thiago born in 2012, Mateo born in 2015, and Ciro Messi Roccuzzo born in 2018.

Lionel Messi: Biography in Details

Table of Contents

Who is Lionel Messi?

Lionel messi is an argentine professional footballer.  lionel messi is best known as the player for the spanish club fc barcelona and argentina’s national team..

He is considered to be the best player in the world and has become the only player to win five FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, four of which he won consecutively, and the first to win three European Golden Shoes.

Lionel Messi: Early Life, Family, Childhood

Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario Argentina.

Messi was born to parents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini. He was born with the birth name Lionel Andres Messi.

While talking about Messi’s family his father worked as a steel factory manager and his mother worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop.

Messi was born as the third child in the family. He has an Argentine nationality and has a mixed ethnicity of Italian, Spanish, Catalan, and Argentine.

Since childhood, Messi has built up a strong interest in football. At the age of five, Messi joined a local club called Grandoli coached by her father.

At the age of six, he joined the Rosario Club.

Lionel Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of eleven. None of the local clubs helped Messi with his medical treatment.

FC Barcelona’s sporting director Carles Rexach offered medical aid for his medical treatment in case they moved to Spain. Later, Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy.

As concerned as Messi’s education, there is no information about his education if any available.

Lionel Messi: Professional Life, Career

Lionel Messi’s professional career in football began in 1994. Before coming to Barcelona Messi used to play football for  Newell’s Old Boys.

He played for Newell’s till 2000. Later, Messi joined Barcelona in 2001.

Lionel Messi rose to fame during the 2003-05 season playing for Barcelona. At the beginning of his career, he struggled pretty much as he was physically weaker than his opponent.

On 4 February 2004, his progress was reflected and signed a contract that lasted till 2012. On 24 June 2005, on his birthday he signed his first senior contract as a senior team player for Barcelona.

He missed his start in La Liga due to issues regarding his legal status in the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

During the 2006-07 season, he established himself as the best player in the world.

He is frequently compared to Diego Maradona and he was named “Messiah” by the Spanish media.

During the 2007-08 campaign, he suffered a torn hamstring. He signed a new contract in July 2008 on an annual salary of €7.8 million, becoming the club’s highest-paid player.

Messi is still playing for the Barcelona club and he is the captain of his Argentine national team.

Lionel Messi is also a founder of the organization, Leo Messi Foundation which was established with the motive to give children the best opportunities for education and healthcare.

Lionel Messi has also become the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. His team Argentina is selected for the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

FIFA World Cup 2022

In the FIFA World Cup 2022, he captained his country to win in 2022, where he won the Golden Ball for a record second time.

Argentina won the World Cup on December 18, 2022, with a penalty shootout victory over France after a 3-3 draw match in extra time.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score in each round of a World Cup since the last 16 rounds in 1986.

Will Lionel Messi retire after the World Cup 2022?

Messi stated to TyC Sports “I will not retire from international football after winning Argentina to its first World Cup title in 36 years.”

Achievements, Awards

Lionel Messi won Ballon d’Or four straight years from 2009 to 2012 and he again won it in 2015.

He has also received the Golden Ball Award for leading his Argentinian national team to the 2014 World Cup Championship game.

Lionel Messi became the youngest player in the history of football to score 200 goals in La Liga at the age of just 25.

Messi also kept the record for being the first player to ever score five goals in a single match in Champions League history in March 2012.

He was honored with the European Golden Shoe thrice in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

He was part of the Argentine football national team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Lionel Messi: Lifestyle, Net Worth, Salary

Being a famous football star, he is having a good time in his life. He is spending a quality life with his family.

His success in his football career has paid him well financially. Observing his personal and professional life, he is living a luxurious lifestyle.

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid football player in the world.

As of 2023, his net worth is $600 million.

Lionel Messi earns an annual base salary of $41 million USD. He also earns a good amount of  $40 million every year from endorsements.

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Lionel Messi Vs. Cristiano Ronaldo! Who is your favorite football player?

Lionel messi: rumors, controversy.

Lionel Messi was rumored to have hooked up with Luciana Salazar and Macarena Lemos.

He suffered controversy when he and his father have been found guilty of tax fraud by the Court of Catalonia.

He suffered criticism when he made the decision to retire from international football.

Lionel Messi: Body Measurements

Lionel Messi’s physical stats show that he has a height of 5 feet 7 inches. Messi weighs 67 kg.

Messi has dark brown hair. Similarly, he has dark brown eyes.

Lionel Messi: Social Media Profile

Famous Argentine Footballer Lionel Messi is active on various social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Lionel Messi has huge fan followings on her social sites.

Lionel Messi has reached 405 million followers on his Instagram with the username @leomessiVerified.

His followers on IG increases by 6 million after the FIFA world cup 2022 win.

More than 948.3k follow him on Twitter. Similarly, he has more than 111 million followers on his official Facebook.

Also read the bios of Victor Osimhen , Mauro Icardi , Antoine Griezmann

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Lionel Messi

Lionel messi is an argentinian footballer currently at fc barcelona. find out more about lionel in our in-depth biography, argentinian footballer.

Lionel Messi is an Argentinian footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain.

• Date of birth: 24 June 1987 • Age: 36 years old • Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina • Nationality: Argentine • Wife: Antonela Roccuzzo • Height: 169cm / 5ft 7ins • Weight: 67kg / 148lbs • Wages: €729,000 per week (reported) • Net worth: $130m (Forbes, 2021)

After coming through their youth system, Messi firmly established himself as a FC Barcelona great after the South American made his debut for the Spanish club in October 2004.

Lionel won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, the Copa del Rey seven times and the Spanish Super Cup on eight occasions with FC Barcelona. The Argentine has also won the Ballon d’Or award a record seven times.

Messi was sent off inside two minutes of his Argentina debut against Hungary on 17 August 2005 but went on to enjoy an impressive international career in the following years.

In the summer of 2021, Messi left FC Barcelona to sign for French side Paris Saint-Germain, penning an initial two-year contract with the option of a further year.

Early Career

Lionel Messi (full name: Lionel Andres Messi) was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. He joined his local club, Newell’s Old Boys, youth ranks at the age of six.

Lionel Messi (Photo: Adidas / Handout)

Messi moved to FC Barcelona in 2001 following a trial in the previous year. His first contract was offered to him on a paper napkin.

He impressed alongside Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique in the FC Barcelona youth team.

While the aforementioned pair moved to the Premier League, Messi turned down an approach from Arsenal.

FC Barcelona

(2004-2008)

At the age of 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, Messi made his La Liga debut against Espanyol in October 2004.

He went on to make a further nine appearances and racked up 77 minutes of first-team football in their remaining games of the 2004-05 season.

Messi scored his first senior FC Barcelona goal against Albacete in May 2005 as the La Liga outfit won the title.

He signed a five-year contract with the Catalan side on 24 June 2005. Following a £150m offer from Inter Milan, Messi committed his future to FC Barcelona until 2014.

Lionel established himself as a regular on the right wing of a front three of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, wearing the number 19 shirt.

Lionel Messi (Photo: @leomessi / Instagram)

He scored an impressive eight goals in 25 games before he tore his hamstring in the Champions League round of 16 against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge.

Messi missed FC Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris in 2006. And he still won the Spanish top flight title for the second successive season.

FC Barcelona struggled in the 2006-07 season but Messi continued to underline his rising status. Leo netted 17 times in 32 games in all competitions.

The Catalan side lost to Liverpool FC in the Champions League to end their defence. FC Barcelona were unable to win a third successive La Liga crown.

In Rijkard’s final season in charge at Camp Nou, Messi was one of the only positives but his season was hampered by persistent injury problems in the second half of the 2007-08. FC Barcelona finished without any silverware, leading to Pep Guardiola’s appointment.

Messi managed to stay injury-free throughout the 2008-09 season under Guardiola.

The Argentina international scored 38 goals in 51 games in all competitions to help FC Barcelona win the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Arguably his best performance of the season came when he scored twice in a 6-2 win against Real Madrid at The Bernabeu in El Clasico in May 2009.

Messi netted in FC Barcelona’s victories over Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League finals.

His salary was increased to €12m and his contract extended until 2016 ahead of the 2009-10 campaign.

Messi won the Spanish Super Cup, the Uefa Super Cup and the World Club Cup in the opening half of the season before he etched his name onto the Ballon d’Or for the first time.

Guardiola opted to deploy Messi in a false nine role in the middle of the season. It was a move that proved a masterstroke as Messi netted a staggering 47 goals in all competitions.

FC Barcelona won the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey but lost to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan team in the Champions League semi-final.

Messi got his revenge on Mourinho in 2010-11’s first El Clasico as the South American netted a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

In a season that contained a staggering five El Clasicos, Leo scored a brilliant solo goal in the first leg of their aggregate win over Real Madrid to reach the Champions League final.

Messi was named man of the match after he scored FC Barcelona’s third goal in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in the Champions League final at Wembley. The Catalan side also won their third successive La Liga crown.

Lionel finished the season with an incredible 53 goals and 24 assists in all competitions.

In Guardiola’s final season in charge, Messi and his FC Barcelona team-mates finished behind Real Madrid in the title race. He missed a penalty in a loss to Chelsea FC in the Champions League semi-finals.

However, Pep Guardiola signed off with a Copa del Rey triumph.

Messi succumbed to persistent injuries in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns.

Remarkably, he still managed to win the European golden shoe in successive seasons following a staggering return of 60 goals.

Under former Newell’s Old Boys boss Gerard Martino, Messi struggled to remain fit.

He didn’t win the Ballon d’Or for the first time in four years after the FC Barcelona star finished behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, he did become FC Barcelona’s record goal-scorer when he netted his 370th goal against Osasuna on 16 March 2014.

Messi ended the season without silverware after losing to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final before Atletico Madrid beat FC Barcelona to the La Liga title on the final day of the domestic campaign.

FC Barcelona revamped their starting line-up with the addition of Luis Suarez to complement Messi and Neymar in July 2014.

Under club legend Luis Enrique, Messi fired FC Barcelona to their second treble in six seasons.

Lionel became La Liga’s all-time record goal-scorer when he netted his 252nd goal against Sevilla in November 2014.

Alongside Neymar and Suarez, Messi scored 58 times and the trio contributed a record 122 goals as FC Barcelona won the La Liga title.

Messi scored twice in their victory over Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final before he played a key role in their 3-1 win against Juventus in the Champions League final.

Leo suffered a serious knee problem at the start of the 2015-16 season and didn’t return until November. He helped FC Barcelona beat River Plate to win the Fifa Club World Cup.

His 500th FC Barcelona appearance came in a 4-0 win over Real Betis. In January 2016, Lionel got his hands on his fifth Ballon d’Or trophy.

The Catalan side won the Copa del Rey crown with a 2-0 extra-time win over Sevilla. However, FC Barcelona were unable to retain their Champions League title.

He finished the season with 41 goals and 23 assists in the 2015-16 season.

Lionel was in prolific form in the 2016-17 campaign.

He netted his 37th Champions League hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Messi’s 500th goal for FC Barcelona came in a stoppage time win over Real Madrid on 23 April 2017.

Leo and his team-mates won the Copa del Rey title thanks to a 3-1 win against Alaves.

FC Barcelona managed to reaffirm their title credentials under new manager Ernesto Valverde.

Messi scored twice in a 3-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League in September 2017.

He surpassed Carles Puyol as FC Barcelona’s third-highest appearance maker when Messi made the 594th game for the Catalan side.

His 600th appearance in FC Barcelona colours came in a 3-0 win against Levante in November.

The records continued to tumble when he scored his 600th club goal before taking his tally to 100 goals in the Champions League.

Move To Paris Saint-Germain

Messi became a free agent in July 2021 after his contract at FC Barcelona was allowed to expire. Negotiations about a new contract at Camp Nou were complicated by financial issues at FC Barcelona.

After much speculation, Messi announced at a tearful news conference that he would be leaving FC Barcelona.

On 10 August 2021, Messi officially joined French club Paris Saint-Germain. He scored his first goal for the Ligue 1 side on 28 September 2021, netting in the 2–0 Champions League group stage win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

International Career

Messi made his Argentina debut as a second-half substitute against Hungary in August 2005. However, he lasted two minutes before he was sent off for a foul.

Lionel lost his first Copa America final to Brazil in 2007. Twelve months later, Messi won Olympic Gold with Argentina in Beijing.

He struggled to shine at the 2010 World Cup under Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

Messi and Argentina crashed out of the Copa America in the quarter-finals against Uruguay on home soil.

The 2014 World Cup Final And Beyond

Messi, who was captaining the Argentina team, scored in a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening group-stage fixture.

He was required to net an injury-time goal in a 1-0 win over Iran in their second fixture before Messi netted twice in a 3-2 victory over Nigeria in their final group game.

The FC Barcelona star created their winner in a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the round of 16. Messi scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 extra-time win against Belgium in the quarter-final.

After a goalless draw with the Netherlands in the last four, Argentina progressed to the final thanks to a penalty shootout win. However, the tournament ended in disappointment after a 1-0 extra-time loss to Germany.

Messi’s international misery was compounded a year later when Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the Copa America final. After history repeated itself in the 2016 edition of the tournament, Messi announced his retirement from international football.

However, he reversed his decision to help Argentina qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Lionel netted his first goal of the tournament in a vital 2-1 win against Nigeria.

In 2021, Messi won his first Copa America title when he helped them to claim a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the final on 10 July 2021.

On 10 September 2021, Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Bolivia to make him the leading South American men’s goal-scorer in international matches moving him above Brazil legend Pele, who finished his career on 77 international goals in 92 games.

Personal Life And Net Worth

Messi started dating his now wife Antonela Rococo in 2008. The couple have known each other since they were five years old and Antonela is the cousin of Messi’s childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia,

Lionel Messi with his wife Antonela Rococo (Photo: @leomessi / Instagram)

The couple have three sons: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015) and Ciro (born 2018).

Lionel and Antonela got married in June 2017 in a luxury hotel called Hotel City Center in their hometown of Rosario.

Although there is no official figure for Lionel Messi’s net worth, Forbes estimate that the footballer is worth around $130m as of 2021.

Of that figure, $97m is estimated to have come from salary and winnings, while the remaining $33m is believed to come from sponsorships and endorsements.

Lionel Messi – Did You Know?

• In 2021, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a record seventh time, finishing above Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and Italy midfielder Jorginho.

• Messi has won the Ballon d’Or more than any other player thanks to his triumphs in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

Lionel is La Liga’s all-time top goal-scorer, having netted 474 goals in 520 games for FC Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo finished his Real Madrid career with 311 goals in 292 games in La Liga.

• Lionel scored a world-record 91 goals in the calendar year of 2012.

• Messi is the leading South American men’s goal-scorer in international matches.

• Messi was 16 years, four months, and 23 days old when he made his FC Barcelona first-team debut in a friendly against Jose Mourinho’s Porto side. He made two assists and scored two goals.

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Lionel messi biography: the maestro of modern football.

Table of Contents

Lionel Andrés Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was born on June 24, 1987, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. His journey from a humble upbringing in South America to becoming a global sports icon is a testament to his unwavering determination, incredible talent, and unyielding passion for the beautiful game. In this blog, we will look at Lionel Messi biography, his journey, goals, clubs, wife, children, net worth, facts, social media, etc.

Lionel Messi Biography

	Lionel Andrés Messi
	24 June 1987
	36
	Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
	Antonela Roccuzzo
	3 children
	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
	Forward, attacking midfielder
	Inter Miami
	10
	Argentina
	1992–1995 Grandoli 1995–2000 Newell’s Old Boys 2000–2003 Barcelona Years ) 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 6 (1) 2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14) 2008 Argentina U23 5 (2) 2005– Argentina 178 (106) Poverty and a deep passion for football marked Lionel Messi’s early life. Raised in Rosario, Argentina, by his father, a steel factory manager and mother who worked in magnet manufacturing workshop, he fell in love with the sport from a young age and displayed exceptional natural talent. At just four years old, Messi started playing for a local club called Grandoli, where his extraordinary dribbling skills shone. He soon joined Newell’s Old Boys, a respected club in Rosario with a rich football tradition. However, adversity struck when he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11, jeopardizing his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Despite financial challenges, his grandmother, Celia, played a crucial role in supporting him by sewing footballs and seeking opportunities to secure his future. Professional Career Lionel Messi, often regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, had a remarkable professional career. He spent the majority of his career with FC Barcelona. Messi made his first-team debut for the club in 2004 and quickly rose to prominence. His incredible dribbling skills, close ball control, and goal-scoring prowess made him a sensation. During his time at Barcelona, Messi won numerous titles, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. He became the club’s all-time top scorer and is known for his incredible consistency in scoring goals. In addition to his club success, Messi has won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, symbolizing his status as the world’s best player. He consistently broke records for goal-scoring and assists in various competitions. After over two decades with Barcelona, financial constraints forced Messi to transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021. His move to PSG marked a significant change in his career, where he continued to perform at an elite level alongside other football stars. Messi joined American club Inter Miami in July 2023 and also won the Leagues Cup in August 2023. International Career Lionel Messi’s international career with the Argentine national team has been a mix of triumphs and challenges. Despite his extraordinary success at the club level, Messi initially faced criticism for not achieving the same level of success with Argentina. He consistently led the national team to major tournaments but fell short of winning titles. However, the turning point came in 2021, when Messi played a pivotal role in Argentina’s victory at the Copa America, securing his first major international title. His performances, including scoring crucial goals and providing assists, silenced critics and cemented his status as one of Argentina’s greatest football legends. In collaboration with his national team, he achieved victory in the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Renowned for his remarkable goal-scoring abilities and creative playmaking, Messi boasts an impressive list of records, including the highest number of goals in La Liga (474), the most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (eight), as well as the highest number of assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17). Lionel Messi: Net Worth It is reported that Lionel Messi is worth $600 million. After spending the majority of his career at Barcelona and increasing his wages even further by joining big clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, the Argentina captain has garnered enormous financial benefits. Lionel Messi has endorsed various renowned brands including Adidas, Pepsi, Lay’s, Budweiser, Air Europa, Jacob and Co, and OrCam. Lionel Messi: Clubs Messi has played for the following clubs in his professional career: Grandoli (1992-1995) Newell’s Old Boys (1995-2000) Barcelona (2000-2021) Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023)   Inter Miami (2023-current) Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi isn’t just a player; he’s a legend. The Argentine magician has dazzled the world with his unparalleled skills and unrivaled consistency, capturing the prestigious Ballon d’Or award like no other. Lionel Messi won 8 Ballon d’Or so far in the year (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2023). Lionel Messi: Awards and Honors 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 Leagues Cup: 2023 U20 Argentina  FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005 U23 Argentina  Summer Olympics: 2008 FIFA World Cup: 2022 Copa América: 2021 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022 Ballon d’Or/FIFA Ballon d’Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009 The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2019, 2022 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 Men’s Player of the Year Award: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15 UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19 Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021 Copa América Top Goal scorer: 2021 La Liga Best Player: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15 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 Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Lionel Messi Family Argentine soccer player Lionel “Leo” Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo have been married for six years and have been together for nearly ten years. Together, they have three handsome sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. Lionel Messi Facts At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which could have ended his football career. His family moved to Spain to seek treatment, where Barcelona FC offered him a place in their youth academy, La Masia. Messi holds numerous goal-scoring records, including being the all-time top scorer for both FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He’s renowned for his remarkable consistency and ability to score a wide variety of goals. Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award multiple times, with a particularly remarkable streak from 2009 to 2012, when he won the award four times in a row, setting a new record for consecutive wins. In addition to his on-field success, Messi is involved in several charitable initiatives. He established the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports education and healthcare projects for vulnerable children. His philanthropic efforts have made a positive impact beyond the football pitch. Messi’s Legacy Lionel Messi’s legacy in the world of football is unparalleled. Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, his impact extends far beyond the field. Messi’s legacy is characterized by: Unprecedented Skill: Messi’s extraordinary dribbling, close ball control, and goal-scoring prowess have set new standards for excellence in football. His ability to create magic on the field is a testament to his exceptional talent. Consistency: Throughout his career, Messi has consistently delivered remarkable performances. He maintained his status as one of the world’s best players over a long period, breaking numerous records for goal-scoring and assists. Club Loyalty: His long-standing association with FC Barcelona, where he spent the majority of his professional career, is a rare example of loyalty in modern football. He became the club’s all-time top scorer and helped Barcelona achieve remarkable success. Philanthropy: Messi’s philanthropic efforts through the Leo Messi Foundation showcase his commitment to giving back to society. He has supported various charitable causes, particularly focusing on children’s education and healthcare. Inspiration: Messi’s journey, from a young boy with a growth hormone deficiency to an iconic figure in football, serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide. His humility and dedication to the sport resonate with fans of all ages. Lionel Messi Social Media View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi) In the grand tapestry of football history, Lionel Messi’s name shines as a beacon of excellence. His unparalleled skill, unwavering dedication, and philanthropic endeavors have left an indelible mark. From his humble beginnings in Rosario to global stardom, Messi’s journey is a testament to the power of talent and resilience. His legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats transcends borders, inspiring generations and reminding us that true greatness extends beyond the pitch. Lionel Messi’s impact on football and society will continue to be celebrated for generations to come. Follow us on:  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  YouTube ,  WhatsApp  and be part of KreedOn’s community For more sports knowledge and latest stories on Indian sports and athletes RELATED ARTICLES Eng vs sa icc men’s t20 world cup 2024 dream11 prediction | england vs south africa icc men’s t20 world cup prediction | prediction..., aus vs ban icc men’s t20 world cup 2024 dream11 prediction | australia vs bangladesh icc men’s t20 world cup prediction | prediction tips..., smriti mandhana creates history, becomes first indian to score consecutive centuries in women’s odi, nishant dev biography: early life | career | achievements – all details, new sports to watch at paris 2024 olympics: from surfing to breaking, leave a reply cancel reply. 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Messi has an impressive career, winning numerous awards, including eight Ballon d'Or awards and representing Argentina internationally. Messi leases a Gulfstream GV jet for travel, which signifies his economic prowess and offers flexibility in travel options. Lionel Messi is quite possibly the most famous footballer in the world. The well-known player began his career with FC Barcelona in 2003. During his time at FC Barcelona, Messi recorded a total of 474 goals in 520 appearances. Within this period, which lasted from 2004-2021, Barcelona won 34 club trophies. The club's trophy case includes: Ten La Liga titles Seven Copa del Rey titles Four Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League titles After dominating the sport at FC Barcelona, Messi transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from 2021-2023. He scored 22 goals in 58 appearances with PSG before transferring to Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS), where he currently plays. Messi has had one of the most successful careers in football history. He has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, which is a record, six European Golden Shoes, and was FIFA's best player in the world eight different times. He represents Argentina in international play, and he has recorded 106 goals in 180 appearances. What Type Of Private Jet Does Lionel Messi Fly? Due to his successful career, Messi has accumulated a net worth that is estimated to reach $500 million. Because of this, Messi and his family typically fly privately when they travel around the world. This provides him with the ultimate flexibility. Private jets are typically smaller than commercial aircraft, meaning they can land on shorter runways. This frees up many smaller airports that may be closer to their intended destination. It also allows Messi and his family to fly direct routes whenever they would like, meaning they do not have to wait for scheduled commercial flights. It is no wonder that Messi and his family fly privately when traveling. Let's take a closer look at the private jet Messi uses and some of the jet's unique features that may have swayed Messi to operate this business jet . What jet Messi operates In the past years, Messi owned and operated an Embraer Legacy 650. However, Messi recently sold this aircraft in favor of a different option. Currently, Messi and his family operate a Gulfstream GV. However, even though Messi has a net worth of approximately $500 million, he does not own this jet. He operates it by leasing it or renting it for his family's various trips, per The Sun . Even though he does not own the jet himself, he is free to use it whenever he wants due to his lease. Messi is also not responsible for maintenance, hangar rental, or other typical aircraft fees. Instead, he just pays a leasing cost to operate the private jet whenever he would like. The Gulfstream GV that Messi flies in is quite unique. This aircraft, which is registered as LV-IRQ, was originally manufactured by Gulfstream in 2004. However, Messi began operating this aircraft as early as 2018. It was purchased by the charter company , Flyzar, which also offers helicopter tours and other private aviation services. Flyzar operates LV-IRQ out of San Fernando Airport (SADF), which is near Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Messi is from. Flyzar upgraded both the interior and exterior upon purchasing the aircraft, per Central Jets . The exterior refurbishments include the addition of the number 10 on the tail of the aircraft, which is Messi's playing number. The interior upgrades include the addition of Messi's wife's name, Antonella, and the names of their three children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, engraved on the steps of the aircraft. Brief history of the Gulfstream GV Gulfstream first began developing the Gulfstream GV in the early 1990s. It was meant to rival the newly released Bombardier Global Express aircraft. The aircraft flew for the first time in November 1995, and it received its type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in April 1997. This aircraft was considered to be Gulfstream's first ultra-long-range business jet. It was officially introduced to the market in June 1997. Nearly 200 Gulfstream GVs were produced. Beyond the basic level business jet, a military variant was also developed. Most of the time, the aircraft were utilized for VIP transport and were used by the government. Some variants utilized dial-and-gauge cockpits in case an electromagnetic pulse knocked out the basic avionics system. Some of the operators include: Algerian Air Force Hellenic Air Force Italian Air Force State of Kuwait Japan Coast Guard United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the tail number N1 National Center for Atmospheric Research National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) This aircraft was developed from the Gulfstream IV, but included a new supercritical wing that had additional fuel capacity. The Gulfstream GV also utilizes Rolls-Royce BR700-710A1 engines, which produce nearly 15,000 pounds of thrust. The aircraft has the following specifications: Length 96.4 feet Height 26.85 feet Wingspan 93.45 feet Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 90,500 pounds Maximum speed Mach 0.88 (669 miles per hour) Cruise speed Mach 0.83 (631 miles per hour) Range 6,500 nautical miles (7,500 miles) Current value of a Gulfstream GV Although Messi leases his Gulfstream GV, the market for this large business jet is still very active. Currently, newer variants of this aircraft are selling for around $10 million. Per Global Air , the average price of Gulfstream GVs for sale is about $8,425,000. These aircraft vary in price depending on how many flight hours the aircraft has and how many landings it has made. Late model aircraft with low flight hours can reach up to $12 million, with older, outdated aircraft remaining around $6 million. Operating costs for these aircraft are additional costs. Per Liberty Jet , annual operating costs, which vary depending on the amount of hours flown per year, can hover between $1.8 million to $3 million. Some variable operating costs may include fuel costs, maintenance, and engine overhaul. Fixed operating costs may include crew costs, insurance, and other management costs. Sports Betting Sports Entertainment Recommended Breaking news, julian hall, 16, makes history with goal in red bulls’ comeback draw against montreal. View Author Archive Get author RSS feed Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission. Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz wouldn’t call Julian Hall the hero in their come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Montreal, but it would be hard to argue the 16-year-old didn’t accomplish what he set out to do when he stepped onto the pitch in the 87th minute.  And that was to make an impact — which ended up being historic. Hall scored his first career MLS goal a minute later, becoming the second youngest player in league history ever to record a goal and the youngest player in the franchise’s history to score, helping the Red Bulls secure a point in the standings on the road in Montreal on Wednesday night. American soccer star Freddy Adu is still the youngest player ever to score in a Major League Soccer match at 14.  “It’s a surreal feeling getting a goal and a moment like that. I’m just really proud,” Hall said afterward. Schwarz subbed in the forward with the Red Bulls trailing by one, and moments later, the club found itself with a corner kick opportunity.  🚨 16-YEAR OLD JULIAN HALL NETS HIS FIRST MLS GOAL 🚨 #RedRunsDeep 🔴 @Audi pic.twitter.com/r7rQHiFTgO — New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 20, 2024 Defender John Tolkin sent the corner into the penalty area, and two Red Bulls players touched the ball before Hall finished the sequence by heading it past Montreal keeper Jonathan Sirois for the equalizing goal.  “Just make an impact. Just put a good performance out there for the team and work as hard as I can,” explained Hall about what was going through his mind when he subbed into the game. “Luckily I got a goal that game,” he added.  The Red Bulls had trailed Montreal 2-0 up until midfielder Wiki Carmona found the back of the net in the 61st minute.  New York has picked up points in four of its past five games with a big matchup with Toronto FC on the docket on Saturday.  Hall was featured by The Post earlier this year , discussing the odyssey he faced to get on the pitch in a match prior to him turning 16.  He was restricted by New Jersey child labor laws that prevented 14- and 15-year-olds from working before 7 a.m. and past 7:30 p.m.  Hall was signed by the Red Bulls last season at 15 years, 167 days old and has been part of the Red Bulls Academy since 2020.  Schwarz praised the development he’s seen out of the teen this season since getting the time with the MLS club.  “If you see the individual development of Julian Hall — he’s 16 years old — it’s unbelievable,” Schwarz said Wednesday night. “He’s a great person, he’s a great guy and he’s always listening, what we want to improve with him. What is very good in his skills and it’s good and he has today an important goal. A good feeling for [him] and that he is also the feeling that he’s a very important player for us.  “Not only an Academy player who makes a little bit of the next step and plays some minutes. No, he’s in our roster every weekend and now it’s good to make a big step now with this goal and I’m very happy for him.” Share this article: Advertisement Copa America Copa America 2024 data guide: Three ex-Leeds managers, two 17-year-olds and one Argentinian outlier Records will tumble at this summer’s Copa America . For just the second time in its 108-year history, South America’s continental competition will take place outside of the motherland. The United States will host, Canada make their tournament bow, while Mexico will appear for a record fifth time as invited guests ahead of the World Cup in North America in 2026. Advertisement We could also have a new oldest player, a second-youngest goalscorer, and an undisputed record title holder, with two of the tournament favourites tied on 15 Copa America crowns apiece. Follow live coverage of Argentina vs Canada in the opening match of the 2024 Copa America today The Athletic dives into all the numbers, whether revealing, random or downright ridiculous. How to follow the  Copa America  and  European Championship  on  The Athletic … Copa America news  |  Copa America fixtures Euro 2024 news  |  Euro 2024 fixtures The golden oldies Plenty of South America’s iconic figures will surely be playing their final international tournament this summer, while others have already missed the cut. Chile ’s Arturo Vidal , Colombia’s Radamel Falcao , Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani and Brazil’s Thiago Silva are just a handful of names who will not be representing their countries in the States after decades of loyal service. Peru and Chile, two of the most successful Copa America sides throughout the 2010s, will defend their excellent recent records with the oldest squads in the competition. At an average age of 29.1 years, even without Yoshimar Yotun (128 caps) and Renato Tapia (85 caps), five of Peru’s 10 most-capped players will be vying for their place in the starting XI. Zooming out and a glance through the older names on the squad lists feels like a trip down memory lane, with big-hitters Luis Suarez , Lionel Messi , Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez all likely to say their emotional goodbyes to competitive international football in July. Those are not the only notable names; 40-year-old Paolo Guerrero needs just three goals to equal the all-time scoring record at the Copa America, while Messi is only four behind and needs just one more game to break Sergio Livingstone’s record of 34 appearances at the competition that has stood for 70 years. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will become the oldest player in tournament history, heavily favoured by new Chile head coach Ricardo Gareca despite over seven months without an appearance at club level for Real Betis . At 41 years, two months and 16 days, there are 10 players available for selection this summer who were not even born when Bravo made his international debut in 2004. A word for the CONCACAF nations, too. Joel Campbell is still only 31 years old but will break the 140-cap barrier for Costa Rica in Group D, one of the last remaining players from their historic World Cup run in 2014 after Keylor Navas announced his shock retirement in May . Such generational change is reflected in the squad-wide data; Gustavo Alfaro’s side boasts the youngest average age of any team ahead of the tournament at just 24.7 years, with 13 players aged 23 or below — more than any other nation this summer. Panama ’s 34-year-old Anibal Godoy will marshal the midfield with his usual poise, but do not expect to see the iconic 38-year-old Guillermo Ochoa guarding Mexico’s goal; he was dropped from the squad alongside fellow thirty-somethings Raul Jimenez , Hirving Lozano and Jesus Gallardo as El Tri look to the future with a home World Cup on the horizon. Times are changing, tune in before it’s too late. The next gen There are two outstanding youngsters to keep an eye on this summer and both could have big roles to play. Chelsea -bound Kendry Paez is fearless and fizzing with confidence, a fleet-footed dribbler who loves to cut inside onto his left foot and strike from distance. He has already scored and assisted for his country in World Cup qualifying, plays a starring role for Independiente del Valle, and will be a key spark for an Ecuador side struggling to consistently create at the sharp end of the pitch. Kendry Paez, Ecuador's Chelsea-bound sensation: 'The bigger the challenge, the better he gets' Some nine months ahead of his development path is Endrick , who now has three goals in four substitute appearances for Brazil , including winners against England and Mexico. He will be pushing for a starting berth, but for now, both his instinctive finishing ability and frightening bursts of acceleration and power around the box are game-breakers against tired legs. Further down the list, there is lots of excitement surrounding Chile’s Dario Osorio , an elusive winger with a thumping left-footed strike, while Brighton ’s Julio Enciso , despite a six-month meniscus injury, may have to shoulder the attacking responsibility for his native Paraguay, who have scored just twice in their last nine games. Talk about a baptism of fire. Endrick, Yamal and Paez: How do you manage children at major international tournaments? Most experienced squad Not only current holders and reigning World Champions, Argentina are also the most experienced nation based on the average number of caps per player in the squad. Granted, that average is pulled up slightly by Lionel Messi, whose 182 caps for his country are more than any other player in the tournament this summer. Fellow 36-year-olds Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi also boost their nation’s average, with 140 and 112 caps respectively, completing the trio of Argentina players with 100-plus caps. Only Chile, with four centurions in the side, have more. Brazil are surprisingly light on the caps front; their record appearance maker is Marquinhos , with 85. Otherwise, 23 of the 26 players selected have fewer than 50 caps, while 15 have fewer than 10. They are the outliers in a group of the five least experienced sides, all rank outsiders to progress. Bolivia have won one game in their last seven Copa Americas, a 3-2 win over Ecuador in 2016, which is also their only competitive win away from their high-altitude fortress in La Paz in the past 29 years. In terms of title wins, two are clear of the rest. Argentina and Uruguay are tied on 15 titles each, six clear of Brazil, and both look more than capable of going all the way. Best goals-per-cap rate Goals are what we are really here for, aren’t they? We want to see the best players scoring the best goals on the international stage, so it is worth looking at who is the most prolific for their country among all players in the tournament. That player is… Messi. The best player on the planet will be familiar with football in the United States since his move to Inter Miami in July 2023 and he will more than likely add to his tally of 108 Argentina goals this summer to become the outright second-most prolific international player in men’s international football history. Jonathan David ’s numbers stack up well with some of the continent’s legendary strikers, with seven of the players in the graphic above (Messi, Suarez, Enner Valencia , Cyle Larin , Salomon Rondon , Guerrero and Sanchez) starting the tournament as their nation’s record goal scorers. There are plenty of players who know how to find the back of the net. And the managers… You would be forgiven for being slightly out of the loop on the Copa America’s head coaches — 11 of them have been in the job for less than 18 months. The most recent appointment of all was that of Jesse Marsch, hired as Canada boss just 39 days before their tournament opener against Argentina. He is one of three former Leeds United managers in the tournament, along with Marcelo Bielsa of Uruguay and Thomas Christiansen of Panama. Curiously, seven of the 16 managers at the tournament are Argentinian, while four are over 60 years of age — Peru’s Jorge Fossati is the oldest at 71 and is affectionately named “El Nonno” or “The Grandfather”, while Dorival Junior has managed 12 of the 20 sides currently in the Brazilian top flight. What they lack in experience on the pitch, they more than make up for on the sidelines. The Radar – The Athletic’s Copa America 2024 scouting guide Get all-access to exclusive stories. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us. 112 IMAGES Lionel Messi Net Worth: Family, Wife, Age, Height, Biography, Earnings Lionel Messi Biography, Height, Weight, Wiki, Net Worth Lionel Messi: Biography, Profile, Stats, Facts, Awards Lionel Messi What is Lionel Messi's Net Worth? Lionel Messi Biography, Age, Wife, Retirement, Net Worth and Salary VIDEO Lionel Messi-BIOGRAPHY-The Greatest soccer player of all time/ MINI BIOGRAPHY #leomessi #argentina Lionel Messi Biography #shorts Lionel Messi net worth over the years 🔥🔥|| evolution (2000-2024) || #shorts #messi MESSI 🇦🇷 BIOGRAPHY The_Biography_(Lionel_Messi)_Task_4 The biography_(lionel messi) COMMENTS Lionel Messi Lionel Andrés " Leo " Messi [note 1] ( Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi] ⓘ; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a ... Lionel Messi About Lionel Messi. Messi claimed the Ballon d'Or as the world's best soccer player for a record eighth time in 2023, putting him three ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo. He transferred to ... Lionel Messi Net Worth: How the Soccer Star Makes and Spends His Money Messi took home a mind-boggling $65 million in on-field earnings over the last year — more than all but one soccer player on the planet. His Inter Miami salary alone is worth $20,446,667 ... Lionel Messi net worth: Career earnings, wages, sponsorship deals of Lionel Messi net worth and earnings. According to Forbes' data, Messi raked in an astronomical $65 million in on-field earnings over the 2023 cycle, surpassing nearly every other soccer player ... Lionel Messi Net Worth Lionel Messi is an Argentinian-born professional athlete who has a net worth of $650 million. Lionel Messi is often regarded as the best soccer player in the world, and one of the best in history. Lionel Messi: Biography, Soccer Player, Inter Miami CF, Athlete Lionel Messi is one of the world's best soccer players and helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Read about his teams, awards, wife, height, and more. ... What Is Lionel Messi's Net Worth? What is Lionel Messi's net worth and how much does the Barcelona legend Messi's latest contract at Barcelona was reportedly worth a net £500,000 ($610k/€565k) a week. Before signing this deal, Messi was estimated to be on around £336,000 ($410k/€397k) a week. Lionel Messi: Biography, Net Worth, Career, and More Biography: Born: June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina; Birth name: Lionel Andrés Messi; Nicknames: La Pulga, Leo Messi, The G.O.A.T; Height: 5′ 6¾″ (1.69 m) Net Worth: Forbes estimates Messi's net worth to be about $600 million (£464 million), with his total career earnings predicted to be $1.28 billion in 2023. What Lionel Messi's Move to the MLS Could Mean for His Net Worth What Lionel Messi's Move to Inter Miami Could Mean for His Net Worth According to Forbes , Messi is the world's second highest-paid athlete. By Tyler Piccotti Published: Jun 07, 2023 5:48 PM EDT Lionel Messi Net Worth: Biography, Personal Life, Career Lionel Messi's net worth towers over Reese Witherspoon's. As a world-renowned soccer player, Messi has amassed a staggering net worth of $400 million, while Reese Witherspoon's net worth is estimated at a still impressive $200 million. The two may be in different industries, but Messi's wealth surpasses that of the talented actress. ... Everything to know about Lionel Messi: Trophies, contract, salary, net Lionel Messi net worth According to Insider and Forbes , Messi was the highest-paid athlete in the 2021/22 season, banking $130 million from May 2021 to May 2022 between salary, endorsements, and ... Lionel Messi Biography, Career, Net Worth, And Other ... Lionel Messi's Net Worth is estimated to be $650 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Messi's Love Story: From Childhood Sweethearts to Family Man. Since 2008, Lionel Messi has been dating Antonela Roccuzzo, who's from the same place as him, Rosario. They've known each other since they were kids because she's the ... Lionel Messi's Net Worth: How He Spends His Millions Among the 736 players in the 2018 World Cup and the hundreds of millions of soccer players worldwide, Lionel Messi is the highest-paid person competing in the sport.. The 30-year-old footballer, who is a forward for Spain's FC Barcelona and the captain of Argentina's national team, has a reported enormous net worth of about $400 million, thanks to his standing as the second highest-paid ... Lionel Messi Net Worth 2020, Salary & Endorsements SportyTell Editors Updated July 3, 2020 Net Worth No Comments. Lionel Messi net worth, salary and his sources of wealth in 2020 analysed. Net Worth: $400 Million. Salary: $92 Million. Date of Birth: June 24, 1987. Age: Lionel Messi tops Forbes' highest-paid athlete list for 2022 Ad Feedback. Forbes' Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2022. Lionel Messi: $130 million. LeBron James: $121.2 million. Cristiano Ronaldo: $115 million. Neymar: $95 million. Stephen Curry: $92.8 million. Lionel Messi Net Worth and Endorsements of Messi. Lionel Messi stands high with an estimated net worth of over $500 million, including all his properties. He has an annual salary of £34,840,000. Messi is signed with PSG, and he earns £670,000 in a week. Lionel Messi Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Lionel Messi Net Worth. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. So, how much is Lionel Messi worth at the age of 36 years old? Lionel Messi's income source is mostly from being a successful Player. He is from Argentina. We have estimated Lionel Messi's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. Lionel Messi Bio, Married, Wife, Net Worth, World ... Observing his personal and professional life, he is living a luxurious lifestyle. Lionel Messi is the highest-paid football player in the world. As of 2023, his net worth is $600 million. Lionel Messi earns an annual base salary of $41 million USD. He also earns a good amount of $40 million every year from endorsements. Lionel Messi's Net Worth in 2024 What is Lionel Messi's net worth in 2024? In 2024, Lionel Messi has an estimated net worth of $650 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Enormous? Lionel Messi FC Barcelona. (2004-2008) At the age of 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, Messi made his La Liga debut against Espanyol in October 2004. He went on to make a further nine appearances and ... Lionel Messi Biography: Wife, Children, Clubs, Goals, Ballon d'Or, Net Lionel Messi Net Worth in 2023, Image Source- IWMBuzz. It is reported that Lionel Messi is worth $600 million. After spending the majority of his career at Barcelona and increasing his wages even further by joining big clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, the Argentina captain has garnered enormous financial benefits. Lionel Messi Net Worth Messi's latest contract is reportedly worth a net £500,000 ($610k/€565k) a week. Lionel Messi 2018 salary breakdown reveals that he was making £336,000 before signing his new Barcelona deal. Lionel Messi Net Worth: How rich is the Inter Miami star? As of 2024, Messi's estimated net worth stands at a staggering $650 million, reflecting his enduring success both on and off the field. Messi's beginning and financial milestones. Messi's journey ... How Much Did Lionel Messi Pay For His Private Jet? What jet Messi operates In the past years, Messi owned and operated an Embraer Legacy 650. However, Messi recently sold this aircraft in favor of a different option. Currently, Messi and his family operate a Gulfstream GV. However, even though Messi has a net worth of approximately $500 million, he does not own this jet. Is Lionel Messi playing for Argentina against Canada tomorrow at the Lionel Messi is expected to start when Argentina take on Canada in their opening game of the 2024 Copa America at the Mercedes Benz Stadium on Thursday, June 20. ... worth mentioning that Lionel ... Red Bulls' Julian Hall, 16, makes history with goal vs. Montreal Lionel Messi scores goal and adds five assists in Inter Miami's win over Red Bulls ... The Red Bulls had trailed Montreal 2-0 up until midfielder Wiki Carmona found the back of the net in the ... Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Breaking down their career Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, is captaining Portugal at Euro 2024 and Lionel Messi, who ... Messi's first goal came in his sixth appearance for Argentina and Ronaldo took eight games to find the net ... Copa America 2024 data guide: Three ex-Leeds managers, two 17-year-olds Oldest squad, youngest player, most goals per cap, and a lot of Argentinian managers - what the data says about Copa America 2024 essay homework paper phd project resume review speech thesis