Lionel Messi - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Lionel_Messi

Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi[note 1] (Spanish pronunciation:
ⓘ; born 24 June 1987) is an Lionel Messi
[ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi]
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 set numerous records for
individual accolades won throughout his professional
footballing career such as eight Ballon d'Or awards and eight
times being named the world's best player by FIFA.[note 2] He
is the most decorated player in the history of professional
football having won 45 team trophies,[note 3] including twelve
Big Five league titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two
Copa Américas, and one FIFA World Cup. Messi holds the
records for most European Golden Shoes (6), most goals in a
calendar year (91), most goals for a single club (672, with
Barcelona), most goals (474), hat-tricks (36) and assists (192)
in La Liga, most assists (18) and goal contributions (32) in the Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World
Cup
Copa América, most goal contributions (21) in the World Cup,
Personal information
most international appearances (191) and international goals
(112) by a South American male, and the second-most in the Full name Lionel Andrés Messi[1]
latter category outright. A prolific goalscorer and creative Date of birth 24 June 1987[1]
playmaker, Messi has scored over 850 senior career goals and Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
has provided over 380 assists for club and country.[21] Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi relocated to Spain to join Team information
Barcelona at age 13, and made his competitive debut at age 17
Current team Inter Miami
in October 2004. He gradually established himself as an
Number 10
integral player for the club, and during his first uninterrupted
season at age 22 in 2008–09 he helped Barcelona achieve the Youth career
first treble in Spanish football. This resulted in Messi winning 1992–1995 Grandoli
the first of four consecutive Ballons d'Or, and by the 2011–12 1995–2000 Newell's Old Boys
season he would set La Liga and European records for most 2000–2004 Barcelona
goals in a season and establish himself as Barcelona's all-time Senior career*
top scorer. The following two seasons, he finished second for Years Team Apps (Gls)
the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, his perceived 2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (5)
career rival. However, he regained his best form during the 2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (6)
2014–15 campaign, where he became the all-time top scorer 2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
in La Liga, led Barcelona to a historic second treble, and won 2021–2023 Paris Saint-Germain 58 (22)
a fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015. He assumed Barcelona's captaincy 2023– Inter Miami 27 (22)
in 2018 and won a record sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. During
International career‡
his overall tenure at Barcelona, Messi won a club-record 34
2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14)
trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions
2008 Argentina U23 5[α] (2)
Leagues, among others. Financial difficulties at Barcelona led

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to Messi signing with French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2005– Argentina 191 (112)
August 2021, where he would win the Ligue 1 title during both Medal record
of his seasons there. He joined Major League Soccer club Men's football
Inter Miami in July 2023.
Representing Argentina
An Argentine international, Messi is the national team's all- FIFA World Cup
time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. His style of 2022 Qatar
play as a diminutive, left-footed dribbler, drew career-long 2014 Brazil
comparisons with compatriot Diego Maradona, who
Copa América
described Messi as his successor. At the youth level, he won
2021 Brazil
the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and gold medal in
the 2008 Summer Olympics. After his senior debut in 2005, 2024 United States
Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a 2007 Venezuela
World Cup in 2006. Assuming captaincy in 2011, he then led 2015 Chile
Argentina to three consecutive finals in the 2014 FIFA World 2016 United States
Cup, the 2015 Copa América and the Copa América
2019 Brazil
Centenario, all of which they would lose. After initially
announcing his international retirement in 2016, he returned Finalissima
to help his country narrowly qualify for the 2018 FIFA World 2022 England
Cup, which they would exit early. Messi and the national team Olympic Games
finally broke Argentina's 28-year trophy drought by winning 2008 Beijing Team
the 2021 Copa América, which helped him secure his seventh
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Ballon d'Or that year. He then led Argentina to win the 2022
2005 Netherlands
Finalissima, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, his
country's third overall world championship and first in 36 South American U-20 Championship
years. This followed with a record-extending eighth Ballon 2005 Colombia
d'Or in 2023, and a victory in the 2024 Copa América.
Website messi.com (https://messi.com/)
Messi has endorsed sportswear company Adidas since 2006.
Signature
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 and 2022. Messi was among Time's 100 most influential
people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023. In 2020 and
2023, he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the
Year, the first team-sport athlete to win it. In 2020, Messi was *Club domestic league appearances and goals,
correct as of 03:00, 17 March 2025 (UTC)
named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team and became the
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of
second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass 08:41, 20 November 2024 (UTC)
$1 billion in career earnings. Following his arrival and impact
on football in the US, Messi was named Time's Athlete of the Year in 2023, and in the following year was
bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by decision of the president of the United States.

Early life
Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province,[22] the third of 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 north-
central Adriatic Marche region of Italy, and on his mother's side, he has primarily Italian ancestry.[3]

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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.[23]
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.[24] He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his
eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his
Messi's childhood home in Rosario,
Santa Fe. goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his
grandmother.[25][26]

Youth career

Newell's Old Boys

A lifelong supporter of Newell's Old Boys, Messi joined the Rosario club when
"When you saw him
he was seven years old. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored
you would think: this
almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable
kid can't play ball. He's
youth side named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds
a dwarf, he's too fragile,
by performing ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.[28]
too small. But [29][30] His goalscoring idol growing up was Brazilian striker Ronaldo, with
immediately you'd
Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen".[31]
realise that he was born
different, that he was a However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, aged 10, he
phenomenon and that was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. As his father's health
he was going to be insurance covered only two years of growth hormone therapy, which cost at
something impressive." least $1,000 per month, Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on
their promise.[32] He was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate, whose
– Newell's Old Boys youth playmaker Pablo Aimar he idolised.[33][34] It was speculated that he failed to
coach Adrián Coria shares
his first impression of the sign with River Plate due to his ill health; however, in a 2019 interview, Messi
12-year-old Messi. [27] revealed that River Plate had offered to pay for his medical treatment after he
scored four goals at a trial. River wanted to sign him, but Newell's Old Boys,
who had refused to pay for his treatment, also refused to release his player card, preventing the transfer.[35]

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.[33][36] In
February 2001, the family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth
into an apartment near the club's stadium, Camp Nou. During his first academy, La Masia, aged 13.
year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the Infantiles due to a transfer

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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.
[28][36][37]

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.[38] After completing his growth hormone
therapy aged 14,[39] 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.[38][40]
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.[41] 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.[36][42][43]

Messi continued to progress through the club's ranks at a rapid pace, debuting for four youth teams during
the 2003–04 season.[44] After being named player of the tournament in four international pre-season
competitions with the Juvenil B, he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to
the Juvenil A, where he scored 18 goals in 11 league games.[45][46] 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 Messi 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."[47]

At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first-team debut
"It seemed as if he had when he came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against José
been playing with us all Mourinho's Porto on 16 November 2003.[36][49] His performance, creating
his life." 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
– Barcelona's then well as weekly with the first team.[50] After his first training session with the
assistant coach Henk ten
Cate on Messi's first-team senior squad, Barça's new star player, Ronaldinho, told his teammates that he
debut. [48] believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself.[51]
Ronaldinho soon befriended Messi, whom he called "little brother", which
greatly eased his transition into the first team.[52][53]

To gain further match experience, Messi joined Barcelona C in addition to the Juvenil 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.[45][54] 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.[45][55] He played five games with the B team that
season but did not score.[56] 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

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shake off defenders. Towards the end of the season, he returned to both youth teams, helping the Juvenil 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.[45][54]

Club career

Barcelona

2004–2008: Rise to the first team

Messi began the 2004–05 season as a guaranteed starter for the Barcelona B
team, but after some lobbying by the senior players, he was promoted to the
first team by manager Frank Rijkaard.[51] He made his La Liga debut for
Barcelona on 16 October 2004 against Espanyol,[36] and 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.[57][58] At 17 years, three
months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent
Barcelona in an official competition, and the club won the league title during
that season.[53][59]

On his 18th birthday, he signed his first contract as a senior team player, which
was updated three months later to keep him at the club until 2014.[55][60]
Barcelona began the 2005–06 season by winning the Supercopa de España Messi (pictured in 2005) at
without Messi, who was not selected to participate in the competition.[19] By the age of 18 playing for FC
the end of the season, the team won La Liga again as well as the UEFA Barcelona, where he played
for 17 years.
Champions League, although Messi did not play in the final for the latter due to
injury.[61][62]

During the 2006–07 season, Messi scored his first hat-trick in a Clásico against Real Madrid, the first
player to do so in 12 years.[63] An incredibly finesse goal from Messi against Getafe and another goal scored
by a handball against Espanyol gained notice for their similarities to the two famous goals scored by fellow
Argentine Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup match against England, drawing comparisons between
the two that Messi would face throughout his career.[64][65][66] The team finished the season with only one
trophy – the 2006 Supercopa de España. Barcelona finished the next 2007–08 season trophyless, leading
to Rijkaard's departure.[67]

2008–2012: Success under Pep Guardiola

At the beginning of the 2008–09 season, his first under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep
Guardiola, Messi was given the number 10 shirt.[68] Over time, he effectively became the tactical focal point
of Guardiola's possession-based system, increasing his goalscoring rate as a result.[69] During that season,
Messi scored 38 total goals, and alongside Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, contributed to a total of 100
goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club.[70][71] Messi played as a false nine for the first
time in a Clásico against Real Madrid, setting up his side's first goal and scoring twice in the team's
greatest-ever score at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[72][73] He played his first final, winning the Copa del
Rey.[74] In addition, Barcelona won the La Liga title and later won the Champions League, thus achieving
the first treble in the history of Spanish football.[75]

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During the first half of the 2009–10 season, Barcelona would also win
the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup,
resulting in becoming the first club to achieve the sextuple.[76][77] Messi
finished as the Champions League top scorer, the youngest in the
tournament's history.[78] For his efforts in 2009, Messi won the Ballon
d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.[79] Messi scored a
total of 47 goals in all competitions, equaling Ronaldo's club record
from the 1996–97 campaign.[80][81] He finished the season as top scorer
Messi during the 2009 Joan Gamper
in the Champions League,[82] and La Liga, winning his second
Trophy against Manchester City.
consecutive league trophy and earned his first European Golden Shoe.
[81][83]

In the 2010–11 campaign, Messi won the Supercopa de España,[84] Champions League,[85] and a third
consecutive La Liga title. His club performances in 2010 earned him his second consecutive Ballon d'Or.[86]
Messi was the top scorer in the Champions League, for the third consecutive year,[87] and the league's top
scorer and assist provider.[88][89] He became Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer with 53 goals.[88]
[90]

Messi began the 2011–12 season winning both the Spanish and European
Super Cups trophies.[92][93] At the close of the year, he won the FIFA Club "I feel sorry for those
World Cup and earned the Golden Ball for a second time.[94] For his efforts in who want to compete
2011, he received the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in for Messi's throne – it's
history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, [95] and the inaugural UEFA Best impossible, this kid is
Player in Europe Award.[96] During the year 2012, Messi became the second unique."
player to be top scorer in four Champions League campaigns. [97][98] Messi
became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking – Pep Guardiola after
Messi became Barcelona's
the 57-year record of César Rodríguez's 232 goals with a hat-trick against all-time top scorer at the
Granada.[99] He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain and Europe age of 24 in March 2012[91]
for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all
competitions made him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football excluding
regional and local competitions.[100][101] The team would also win the Copa del Rey that season, their 14th
trophy under Guardiola, who resigned following the season after a four-year cycle of success.[102]

2012–2014: Record-breaking year and Messidependencia

For the start of the 2012–13 season, Barcelona had virtually secured their La Liga title by the start of 2013.
[103] A double scored against Real Betis saw Messi becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in La Liga, and

surpassed Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year; Messi would score a record 91 goals
in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina throughout 2012.[104][105] Messi again won the FIFA Ballon
d'Or, becoming the first player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.[105][106] He signed a new
contract committing himself to the club through 2018, and wore the captain's armband for the first time in
a league match against Rayo Vallecano.[107][108][109] The team would win La Liga again that year, Messi's
sixth, equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. 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.
[110]

Messi's overall input into the team's attack had increased significantly. Whereas he contributed to 24% of
the team's goals in their treble-winning campaign, this number rose to more than 40% by the end of the

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2012–13 season.[111] These statistics, as well as lopsided losses in the Champions

League where Messi was unfit, gave credence to the notion of Messidependencia,
Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological dependence on their star player.
[112]

To offset the load on Messi, Barcelona would sign Brazilian forward Neymar from
Santos before the 2013–14 season.[113] The team would win the Supercopa de
España at the beginning of the season.[114] Messi finished the campaign with his
worst output in five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals in all
competitions.[115] For the first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season
without a major trophy.[116]

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

Barcelona hired coach Luis Enrique before
the 2014–15 season, and would continue to
aid Messi in the attack by signing Uruguayan
forward Luis Suárez, who had won the
European Golden Shoe the year before at
Liverpool.[117][118] Luis Enrique's system
would feature quick transitions from defense Messi scored a record-
to attack, led by the front three of Messi, breaking 91 goals with
Messi dribbling past Patrice Evra of Suárez and Neymar. The attacking trio, which Argentina (above) and
Juventus during the 2015 UEFA colloquially became known as 'MSN', would Barcelona (below) in
Champions League final. break goalscoring records.[119] A hat-trick 2012.

scored against Sevilla earlier in the season

would also make him the all-time top scorer in La Liga, as he surpassed
the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra.[120] After securing the La Liga title, the Copa del
Rey, and the Champions League that year, Messi helped Barcelona become the first club to win the
continental treble twice.[121][122] He would record 58 goals, but combined with Neymar and Suárez, the
attacking trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish football.[123]

Messi opened the 2015–16 season by helping Barcelona's win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.[124]
Messi capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup final over River Plate in Yokohama,
collecting his fifth club trophy of the calendar year.[125] On 11 January 2016, Messi won the FIFA Ballon
d'Or for a record fifth time in his career.[126] He would end the season by winning La Liga as well as the
Copa del Rey again.[127] In total, Messi scored 41 goals, and Barcelona's attacking trio of him, Neymar and
Suárez managed a Spanish record of 131 combined goals throughout the season, breaking the record they
had set the previous season.[128]

The 2016–17 season would end with Messi winning the Supercopa de España and the Copa del Rey.[129][130]
He would finish the season with 54 goals, 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.[131] Messi, Neymar and Suárez would
combine for 110 goals by season's end. Neymar would depart for Paris Saint Germain the next year, leaving
the attacking trio with a combined total of 363 goals over the course of three seasons.[132] Luis Enrique
would also leave Barcelona at the end of the season after managing the club to a total of nine trophies
during his three-year tenure.[133]

2017–2021: Final years at Barcelona

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Messi would sign a new deal with Barcelona on 25 November 2017, keeping
him with the club through 2021.[134] The 2017–18 season saw Messi achieving
the domestic double, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey once again.[135] He
once again finished the season as the top scorer in La Liga, with 34 goals, which
also saw him win his fifth European Golden Shoe award.[136] With the
departure of former captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the
team's new captain for the 2018–19 season.[137] He lifted his first trophy as
Barcelona's captain, the Supercopa de España, following a 2–1 victory over
Sevilla. He helped Barcelona clinch the La Liga title, his tenth but first as
captain.[138] With 36 goals in 34 appearances that season, he won his sixth
league Golden Boot trophy, equalling Zarra as the player with the most top-
scorer awards in La Liga.[139][140] He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe
award, and a record third consecutive award since the 2016–17 season.[141]
Messi, wearing the
Messi would win his sixth Ballon d'Or, but the subsequent 2019–20 season saw
captain's armband, against
Barcelona go trophyless for the first time since 2007–08.[142] Following a Real Valladolid in 2018.
disappointing season, Barcelona announced that Messi sent the club "a
document expressing his desire to leave", but Messi ultimately decided to fulfill
the final year of his contract.[143][144] The 2020–21 season saw Messi surpass Xavi's record to reach a club
record of 768 appearances.[145] He would lead the club to victory in the 2021 Copa del Rey final.[146][147] His
last two seasons with Barcelona saw him lead La Liga in goal scoring, giving him a record-breaking total of
eight Pichichi trophies.[148][149]

Messi became a free agent after his contract expired, with negotiations on a new deal complicated due to
Barcelona's financial issues.[150][151] Barcelona would eventually announce that Messi would not be staying
at the club, citing financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi's
departure.[152][153] In a tearful press conference held at the Camp Nou, Messi confirmed that he would be
leaving Barcelona.[154]

Paris Saint-Germain
On 10 August 2021, Messi joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain
(PSG), reuniting him with Neymar, for the 2021–22 season on a two-
year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year.[155][156]
Messi chose 30 as his squad number, the same he wore as a teenager
when he made his senior debut for Barcelona.[157] He would make his
debut with the club against Reims, made his first start and Champions
League debut for the club against Club Brugge, and made his home
debut in a match against Lyon[158][159][160] He scored his first goal for
the club in a Champions League group stage win over former manager
Messi (middle) with PSG team- Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.[161] Having scored 40 goals at club
mates Kylian Mbappé (left) and and international level for the calendar year in addition to captaining
Neymar. Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, Messi received a record seventh
Ballon d'Or.[162] He finished his debut season with PSG with 11 goals
and 14 assists across all competitions, helping the club win their 10th
Ligue 1 title.[163]

Beginning the 2022–23 season, Messi would win his second trophy with PSG in the Trophée des
Champions.[164] A goal against Nice resulted in him surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time highest

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goalscorer in European club football with 702 goals; during the match, he also achieved 1,000 career direct
goal contributions at club level.[165][166] By the end of the season, he had 21 goals across all competitors and
the highest number of assists in the league with 16, which helped PSG clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title and his
second in a row.[167][168][169] Following the last game of the season, manager Christophe Galtier confirmed
that it would be Messi's last for PSG, with the club confirming his departure two days later.[170]

Inter Miami
Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF announced the signing of
Messi on a two-and-a-half-year contract on 15 July 2023.[171][172] Messi made
his 2023 debut for the club in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, scoring
with a free-kick in stoppage time for a victory.[173] Messi's arrival in the US was
praised a revelation, on and off the pitch, with his presence being credited for
helping to raise the profile of MLS. According to Goal, "Every game that he
graces sparks a scramble for tickets, with plenty of A-list guests eager to watch
him in action".[174] The frenzy over his arrival was dubbed “Messimania”; Inter
Miami's No. 10 Messi jersey became the best-selling jersey in the league—and
nearly the world.[175]

After scoring nine goals in his first six games for Miami, Messi led the team to
Messi with Inter Miami in
the club's first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup against Nashville SC. the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.
[176] Messi made his MLS debut against the New York Red Bulls.[177] Miami

would miss the playoffs, finish 14th in the Eastern Conference, having gone
winless in their last seven games.[178] On 30 October 2023, following his World Cup win with Argentina and
Ligue 1 trophy with PSG, Messi was awarded a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or.[179] He was also named
Time Athlete of the Year, the first footballer to ever win the award.[180]

During the 2024 season, Messi broke the record for the most assists in a single MLS game with five assists
and he also broke the record for the most goal contributions in an MLS game with six in a 6–2 win over the
New York Red Bulls.[181] On 2 October, Messi scored a brace in a 3–2 win over Columbus Crew, clinching
the Supporters' Shield, his 46th trophy.[182] In the final game of the regular season on 19 October against
the New England Revolution, Messi scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 6–2 victory. Inter Miami's
victory over the Revolution also allowed the club to finish with 74 points throughout the regular season, a
league record for MLS. He would finish the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches.[183]
In doing so, he became Inter Miami's all-time leading goalscorer.[184]

Miami made its first postseason appearance in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs but were eliminated in the first
round after losing two games against Atlanta United FC. Messi would have his first postseason goal in the
third game, a 3–2 loss.[185] He would be named the MLS Most Valuable Player following the conclusion of
the regular season.[186]

International career
As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi was eligible to play for the national team of both countries.[187]
He debuted for Argentina in 2004 for Argentina's U20 team against Paraguay, and was subsequently
included in the squad for the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, where they would finish third.[188]
Messi would then lead the team to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, his first success
with Argentina. Finishing the tournament with six goals and two assists, he would also win the Golden Ball.

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[189][190][191]

Messi would make his debut with the senior national team in 2005, at
age 18, coming off the bench in a friendly against Hungary.[192] Messi
would have his first start in 2006 against Peru, and would score his first
international goal in a friendly against Croatia.[193][194] His World Cup
debut came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a substitute in the 74th
minute against Serbia and Montenegro, assisting one goal and scoring
the final one in their victory. This made him the youngest player to
represent and score for Argentina in the World Cup.[195] He would
represent Argentina again for the 2007 Copa América, where they would
Messi evades Brazil's Marcelo in the
semi-final of the 2008 Summer ultimately lose in the final. Messi was named the best young player of
Olympics. the tournament, having scored two goals and provided one assist.[196]
The 2008 Summer Olympics would mark another major achievement
with his country, as he led Argentina's U23 team to claim the Olympic
gold medal over Nigeria. Messi registered two goals and three assists throughout, and was singled out by
FIFA as the stand-out player from the tournament's best team.[197]

With the international retirement of Juan Román Riquelme, Messi was given
Argentina's number 10 shirt.[198] During a 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage
match against Greece, where a majority of the starters rested due to a secured
place in the knockout rounds, Messi would wear the captain's armband for the
first time.[199] Argentina were ultimately eliminated in the quarterfinals against
Germany during that tournament, but Messi was identified as one of the
tournament's 10 best players due to his pace and creativity, despite failing to
register a single goal and only having one assist.[200] Ahead of the 2011 Copa
América, Argentina began building their team around Messi.[201] However,
Messi would again be goalless during the tournament but had three assists. The
team would ultimately lose to Uruguay in penalties during the quarter-finals.
[202]
Messi in his number 10 shirt
captaining Argentina in
Following their unsuccessful performance, a 24- 2012.
year-old Messi would be awarded the captaincy of
the squad.[203] The next several years saw many
frustrations for Messi due to his inability to lead Argentina to win an
international trophy. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Messi and Argentina
lost to Germany in the final, though Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the
best player of the tournament regardless due to his overall performance with
four goals and an assist.[204][205] Argentina would lose to Chile on penalties in
the 2015 Copa América final the next year. At the close of the tournament,
Messi was reportedly selected to receive the Golden Ball award, having scored
one goal and provided three assists, but he rejected the honour.[206] In the
Messi against Germany in 2016 Copa América Centenario semi-final against the United States, a goal
the 2014 FIFA World Cup from Messi would put him ahead of Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time
final. leading goalscorer in international matches.[207] However, Argentina would
again fall to Chile on penalties in the final.[208] Messi would have five goals and
four assists throughout the tournament.[209]

Losing three consecutive finals in three consecutive years caused Messi to retire from international football,

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but a nationwide campaign in Argentina helped convince him to reverse his decision.[208][210] He would
return to the national team to lead them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Argentina were in jeopardy of
missing the tournament on the last game of the qualifiers against Ecuador, but a hat-trick from Messi
dramatically secured their entry.[211] They would go on to lose to France in the Round of 16 during the
World Cup, with Messi having one goal and two assists in the tournament.[212] The next year, Messi would
again represent Argentina in the 2019 Copa América, where he registered only a single goal and assist. They
would lose to hosts Brazil in the semi-final but ended with a third-place finish after defeating Chile.[213]
Despite not winning the tournament, this victory would mark the beginning of a 36-game unbeaten streak
for Argentina that would last for over three years.[214]

Messi would finally end Argentina's 28-year trophy drought in the 2021
Copa América, as they had not won an international tournament since
1993.[215] During a group stage match against Bolivia, he surpassed
Javier Mascherano to become Argentina's most-capped player.[216]
Argentina defeated Brazil in the final, and Messi was named the player
of the tournament having been directly involved in nine out of the 12
goals scored by Argentina, scoring four of them and assisting five.[215]
He captained Argentina to win another international trophy in the 2022
Finalissima against UEFA Euro 2020 winners Italy, where he was
named player of the match after providing two assists.[217] At the 2022 Messi facing off against Érick
FIFA World Cup, Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup victory in 36 Gutiérrez of Mexico in the 2022
years, scoring twice in the final to defeat France.[218] Having scored FIFA World Cup group stage.
seven goals and assisting three during the tournament, Messi would
again win the Golden Ball, becoming the first player to win it twice.[219]
His appearance in the final also set new records for the most appearances (26) and direct goal contributions
(21 – 13 goals and 8 assists) at the World Cup.[220]

A hat-trick in a 2023 friendly against Curaçao saw Messi reach 100 international goals, the third player and
the first South American in history to achieve this milestone.[221] Later that year, a goal against Peru
resulted in Messi becoming the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.[222] During
the 2024 Copa América semi-final against Canada, Messi scored his first and only goal of the tournament
which also made him the second-highest international goalscorer of all time.[223] Argentina eventually won
the final against Colombia for their second consecutive Copa América title, with Messi contributing one goal
and assist overall while also setting a new record for most appearances (39) at Copa América.[224]

Player profile

Style of play
Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater
agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles;[225][226] this has led the
Spanish media to dub him La Pulga Atómica ("The Atomic Flea").[227][228][229] Despite being physically
unimposing, he possesses significant upper-body strength, which, combined with his low centre of gravity
and resulting balance, aids him in withstanding physical challenges from opponents; he has consequently
been noted for his lack of diving in a sport rife with playacting.[28][226][230] His short, strong legs allow him
to excel in short bursts of acceleration while his quick feet enable him to retain control of the ball when
dribbling at speed.[231] His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player

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that runs faster with the ball than he does without it."[232] Although he
has improved his ability with his weaker foot since his mid-20s, Messi is
predominantly a left-footed player; with the outside of his left foot, he
usually begins dribbling runs, while he uses the inside of his foot to
finish and provide passes and assists.[233][234]

A prolific goalscorer, Messi is known for his finishing, positioning, quick

reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line.
He also functions in a playmaking role, courtesy of his vision and range
Messi prepares to shoot with his
of passing.[235] He has often been described as a magician; a conjurer,
dominant left foot in the 2014 FIFA
creating goals and opportunities where seemingly none exist.[236][237]
World Cup final.
[238] Moreover, he is an accurate free kick and penalty kick taker.[226]
[239] As of September 2023, Messi ranks fifth all time in goals scored

from direct free kicks with 65,[240] the most among active players.[241] He also has a penchant for scoring
from chips.[242]

Messi's pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual

dribbling runs towards goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually
starting from the halfway line or the right side of the pitch.[230][239][243]
He is widely considered to be one of the greatest dribblers of all time.
[244][245] With regard to this ability, his former Argentina manager

Diego Maradona has said of him, "The ball stays glued to his foot; I've
seen great players in my career, but I've never seen anyone with Messi's
ball control."[234] Beyond his individual qualities, he is also a well-
Messi's dribbling abilities allow him
rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative
to weave past several defenders
and orchestrate attacking plays. combinations, in particular with former Barcelona midfielders Xavi and
Andrés Iniesta.[225][226]

As his career advanced, and his athleticism and tendency to dribble diminished slightly with age, Messi
began to dictate play in deeper areas of the pitch and developed into one of the best passers and playmakers
in football history.[246][247][248] His work-rate off the ball and defensive responsibilities also decreased as
his career progressed; by covering less ground on the pitch, and instead conserving his energy for short
bursts of speed, he was able to improve his efficiency, movement, and positional play, and was also able to
avoid muscular injuries, despite often playing a large number of matches throughout a particular season on
a consistent basis. Indeed, while he was injury-prone in his early career, he was later able to improve his
injury record by running less off the ball, and by adopting a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep
schedule.[249]

Tactical positioning
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.[250] 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.[232] 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

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dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.[37]

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,[251][252] while he was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free
playmaking role in later seasons.[253][254] 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,[255] or
even on the right wing[256] or as a false nine,[257][258] he was also used in a more
offensive, central role in a 4–2–3–1,[254] 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 team's attacking plays, and create chances for his
attacking partner Luis Suárez.[259][260] With the Argentina national team, Messi
has similarly played anywhere along the frontline. Under various managers, he A versatile forward,
has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, as an out-and-out striker, in Messi often plays as a
a supporting role alongside another forward, or in a deeper, free creative role as a classic number 10.
classic number 10 playmaker or attacking midfielder behind the strikers.[261][262]

Reception
Messi is widely regarded as one of the two best players of his generation, alongside Portuguese forward
Cristiano Ronaldo.[263] He is also considered one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport.[264]

A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20.
[265] Shortly after teammate Ronaldinho won the 2005 Ballon d'Or, he commented, "I'm not even the best

at Barça" in reference to his 18-year-old protégé.[266] Four years later, after Messi won his first Ballon d'Or
by a record margin,[79] 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.[24][230][267] An
early proponent was his then-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, declared
Messi to be the best player he had ever seen.[268] In the following years, this opinion gained greater
acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players.[90][269] By the end of Barça's second
treble-winning season, the view of Messi as one of the greatest footballers of all time had become the
apparent view among many fans and pundits in continental Europe.[270][271]

Messi would receive dismissals by critics throughout his career based on the fact that he had not won an
international tournament at senior level with Argentina.[272][273][274] However, his subsequent victories in
the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup resulted in him finally winning every top tier trophy
at both the club and country levels, an achievement that many pundits felt cemented Messi's legacy.[264]

Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo

Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Cristiano Ronaldo, who
many consider his career rival.[263] Both achieved numerous individual accolades, won dozens of trophies
for both club and country, and are the two leading goal scorers in history. Although Messi has at times
denied any rivalry,[275][276] they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in
the world.[277] Pundits have compared the ongoing rivalry to past sports rivalries like the Muhammad Ali–
Joe Frazier rivalry in boxing, the Prost–Senna rivalry in motorsport, and the tennis rivalries between
Federer–Nadal and Borg–McEnroe.[278]

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Fans and pundits alike regularly argue the individual merits of both players.
[277][279] Messi is lauded for his combination of dribbling, playmaking, passing

and goalscoring, while Ronaldo has received praise for his exceptional speed
and athleticism, goalscoring skills, and performance under pressure.[280][281]
Beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing
physiques – Ronaldo is 1.87 m (6 ft 11⁄2 in) with a muscular build, compared to
Messi's smaller size – and contrasting public personalities with Ronaldo's self-
confidence and theatrics a foil to Messi's humility.[282] Regarding individual
achievements, Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,[283] eight
FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six European Golden
Shoes to Ronaldo's four.[284] Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in
terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.[285] Messi has been compared
with Cristiano Ronaldo (left)
Messi's head-to-head record against teams that feature Ronaldo consists of 15 throughout much of their
wins, 9 draws, and 10 losses in competitive club matches, one win and loss each careers.
in international friendlies, and one win in a club friendly. The first competitive
matchup between the two occurred in 2008, when Ronaldo's Manchester
United were drawn to play Messi's Barcelona in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where
Ronaldo and Manchester United would eventually advance 1–0 on aggregate, and go on to win the final.
[286] The two players and their teams would meet again in the next year's Champions League, this time in

the final, with Messi and Barcelona emerging as the victors after a 2–0 result.[287] After this, Ronaldo would
transfer to Real Madrid, the main rivals of Barcelona, and 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.
[288][285] Ronaldo's would then transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2018; their final matchup in a

competitive match would occur during a 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage match, where
Ronaldo's two goals from the penalty spot helped Juventus to a 3–0 victory against Messi's Barcelona.[289]
After Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus, Messi stated: "I miss Cristiano. Although it was a bit difficult
to see him win trophies, he gave La Liga prestige."[290]

Following Messi leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, a number of football critics,
commentators, and players have opined that Messi settled the debate between the two players.[291][292]
Ronaldo himself declared a year later that his rivalry with Messi was over and "gone", after 36 official
fixtures and 15 years of "sharing the stage".[293]

Comparisons with Diego Maradona

Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his compatriot Diego
"I have seen the player
Maradona, who was also considered the best player of his generation and one
who will inherit my
of greatest in the history of the sport.[295][296] This was due to their short
place in Argentinian
statures, their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed playmakers,
football and his name is
and the fact that they both came from Argentina.[297] Initially, Messi was
Messi."
merely one of many young Argentine players to receive the "New Maradona"
moniker, but as his career progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all
– Diego Maradona hailing
the 18-year-old Messi as previous contenders, establishing himself as the best player Argentina had
his successor in February produced since Maradona.[34][298] Even when Messi was 18 years old,
2006. [294]
Maradona called him the best player in the world and hailed him as his
successor.[294] Messi and Maradona would work together as player and
manager for Argentina's national side from 2008 through the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the latter thoroughly
impressed with the former's skills.[299] It was during this period that Messi was given Argentina's number

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10 shirt that Maradona famously wore. Maradona gave Messi his blessing, telling him: "the No 10 is yours.
There's nobody better than you to wear it."[198]

During the early and middle parts of his career, Messi was generally
held in lesser esteem than Maradona in Argentine society. Part of this
had to do with Messi's lack of tournament success and perceived uneven
output with the national team during this period – Maradona had
famously led Argentina to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup with a
dominant overall performance, which set expectations for Messi to do
the same.[272][295][300] Also unlike Maradona, Messi never played in the
Argentine Primera División, therefore depriving his countrymen a
chance to watch him develop and prove himself, and through no fault of Due to their similar size and style of
play, Messi was constantly
his own would do this overseas in La Liga instead.[28][300] Argentines
compared with his compatriot Diego
also identified more with the fiery, extroverted and controversial
Maradona by pundits and his
Maradona who came from the slums, character traits that they felt countrymen.
aligned with their national values, as opposed to the reserved,
introverted and unassuming Messi who had a comparably
unremarkable upbringing in Rosario.[274][300][301] Several pundits, footballing figures, and Maradona
himself would point to this temperament to question Messi's leadership capabilities for the national team.
[272][302][303] Furthermore, Messi's lack of outward passion for the Albiceleste shirt, early tendency not to

sing the national anthem, and disinclination to emotional displays have in the past led to the false
perception that he felt more Catalan rather than truly Argentine.[202][304] However, despite having lived in
Barcelona since age 13, Messi rejected the option of representing Spain internationally, saying: "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."[305]

Football journalist Tim Vickery stated the perception of Messi among

Argentines changed in 2019, with Messi making a conscious effort to
become "more one of the group, more Argentine".[304] Other pundits
noted that Messi had grown more assertive as a leader during the 2019
Copa América by becoming more vocal with his teammates both on and
off the pitch, finally singing the national anthem with the team before
matches, and speaking with journalists at length after matches, the
latter of which he rarely did for Barcelona.[306] Following the 2022
A mural featuring both Maradona
World Cup win for Messi and Argentina, Vickery felt that Messi would
and Messi following Argentina's
now be held in the same esteem by his compatriots as Maradona.[304] World Cup win in 2022.
Former footballer turned journalist Jorge Valdano said he saw a
"Maradonian" edge to Messi's performances during the tournament,
while compatriot Osvaldo Ardiles mentioned that Messi's provoking actions against the Netherlands side
during the quarter-final were "more of a Maradona reaction," further endearing Messi to his countrymen.
[307][308] Messi himself later remarked that the World Cup victory "won over all the people of Argentina.

Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that's a beautiful feeling."[309]

In popular culture

Popularity

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Messi was among the Time 100, an annual list of the world's most
influential people, in 2011, 2012 and 2023.[310][311][312] According to a
2014 survey 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
Cristiano Ronaldo, and the most likable of all contemporary players.[313]
[314] World Press Photo selected "The Final Game", a photo of Messi

facing the World Cup trophy after Argentina's final defeat to Germany,
as the best sports image of 2014.[315] On his economic impact on the city
in which he plays, Terry Gibson called him a "tourist attraction".[316] Messi's success on the pitch earned
him several lucrative endorsement
His fanbase on Facebook is among the largest of public figures: within deals along with widespread
seven hours of its launch in April 2011, Messi's Facebook page had recognition and popularity.
nearly seven million followers, and by July 2023 he had over 114 million
followers, the second highest for a sportsperson after Ronaldo.[317][318] He has over 500 million Instagram
followers, the second highest for an individual and sportsperson after Ronaldo.[319] His World Cup
celebration post from 18 December 2022 is the most liked post on Instagram with over 75 million likes.[320]

On 20 March 2023, during a return to Buenos Aires following his World Cup victory, Messi was mobbed by
hundreds of adoring fans when he and his family were out to dinner. When news spread where Messi and
his family were, the restaurant was soon surrounded by locals hoping to get a glimpse of their World Cup-
winning captain. Police assistance would be needed to get Messi back to his car in the early hours of the
morning.[321] In April 2023, Messi was featured in the 200 year old Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala,
India.[322] During the festival, umbrellas carrying the illuminated cut outs of Messi holding the World Cup
trophy were displayed on the top of caparisoned elephants during the Kudamattam ceremony.[323] In
December 2023, a set of shirts Messi had worn during the 2022 World Cup was sold at auction for $7.8
million.[324]

During an exhibition match on 4 February 2024 in which Inter Miami faced off against the Hong Kong
League players at Hong Kong Stadium, Messi would remain on the bench the entire game, causing massive
backlash in Hong Kong and China as a result.[325] A Messi commercial was taken off air in those regions,
[326] while others remained despite pressure from Chinese social-media users.[327][328][329] Furthermore,

the Chinese Football Association temporarily halted its partnership with the Argentine Football Association
over the incident on 8 February.[330]

Wealth and sponsorships

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.[331][332] Messi was second on Forbes list of the
world's highest-paid athletes, after Cristiano Ronaldo, with income of $81 million from salary and
endorsements in 2015–16.[333] 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.[334] Forbes ranked him the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019.[335] From 2008, he was
Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from €7.8 million to
€13 million over the next five years.[336][337][107] Signing a new contract in 2017, he earned $667,000 per
week in wages, and Barcelona paid him $60 million as a signing on bonus.[338] His buyout clause was set at
$835 million (€700 million).[338] In 2020, Messi became the second footballer, as well as the second athlete
in a team sport, after Ronaldo, to surpass $1 billion in earnings during their careers.[339]

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In addition to salary and bonuses, much of Messi's 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.[341] His main sponsor since 2006 is Adidas. As Barcelona's
leading youth prospect, he was signed with Nike since age 14, but
transferred to Adidas after they successfully challenged their rival's
claim to his image rights in court.[342] Messi established himself as their
leading brand endorser;[285] from 2008, he had a long-running
Messi's Argentina jersey, supplied
signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, became the first
by Adidas, was sold out worldwide
during the 2022 World Cup.[340] footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas
Messi.[343][344] Since 2017, he has worn the latest version of the Adidas
Nemeziz.[345] In 2015, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name and
number was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.[346] At the 2022 World Cup, Adidas sold out Messi's
No. 10 Argentina jersey worldwide.[340]

As a commercial entity, Messi's brand has been based exclusively on his

talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more
glamorous players like 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.
[348][349] From 2010, concurrently with increased achievements as a

player, his marketing appeal widened, leading to long-term

endorsement deals with luxury brands Dolce & Gabbana and Audemars
Piguet.[348][350] Messi is a global brand ambassador for Gillette, Turkish After blessing himself, Messi often
Airlines, Ooredoo, and Tata Motors, among other companies.[351][352] celebrates a goal by pointing a
[353][354] Messi was the face of Konami's video game series Pro finger on each hand towards the sky
in dedication to his late
Evolution Soccer, appearing on the covers of PES 2009, PES 2010, PES grandmother.[347] His goal
2011 and PES 2020. He subsequently signed with rival company EA celebration features in the FIFA
Sports to become the face of their series FIFA and appeared on video game series.
consecutive covers from FIFA 13 to FIFA 16.[355][356]

In 2013, a Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi, in which he engages in a selfie competition with
Kobe Bryant, was the most-watched ad on YouTube in 2013, receiving 137 million views, and was voted the
best advertisement of the 2005–15 decade to commemorate YouTube's founding.[357][358] In June 2021,
Messi signed a five-year deal to become an ambassador for the Hard Rock Cafe brand. He stated, "sports
and music are an integral part of my life. It is an honor to be the first athlete to partner with a brand who
has a history of teaming with music legends."[359]

In May 2022, Messi was unveiled as Saudi Arabia's tourism ambassador. Due to Saudi Arabia's poor human
rights record, Messi was condemned for the role which was viewed as an attempt of Saudi sportswashing.
[360][361]

Philanthropy
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.[362][363] Messi has served as a UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation

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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 2010 Haiti earthquake. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV
prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.[364] 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.[365]

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.[366] 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.[367] 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.[367][368]
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.[369][370] A gold replica of his
Messi (pictured in 2007)
has worked with UNICEF left foot, weighing 25 kg (55 lb) and valued at $5.3 million, went on sale in
since 2004 and has served Japan in 2013 to raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and
as a UNICEF Goodwill tsunami.[371]
Ambassador since 2010.
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.[367] 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.[28] 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.[372]
Messi made a donation worth €1 million ($1.1 million) to fight the spread of coronavirus.[373] This was split
between Clinic Barcelona in Barcelona and his native Argentina.[374] In addition to this, Messi along with
his fellow FC Barcelona teammates announced he would be taking a 70% cut in salaries during the 2020
coronavirus emergency, and contribute further to the club to provide fully to salaries of all the clubs
employees.[375]

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.
[376][377] In February 2021, Messi donated to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya his Adidas shoes

which he wore when he scored his 644th goal for Barcelona and broke Pelé's record for most goals scored
for a single club; the shoes were later auctioned off in April by the museum for charity to help children with
cancer and were sold for £125,000.[378]

In advance of the 2021 Copa América, Messi donated three signed shirts to the Chinese pharmaceutical firm
Sinovac Biotech—whose directors spoke of their admiration for Messi—in order to secure 50,000 doses of
Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac, in the hope of vaccinating all of South America's football players.
[379] A deal brokered by Uruguay's president Luis Lacalle Pou, the plan to prioritise football players caused

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some controversy given widespread vaccine scarcity in the region, with the Mayor of Canelones Yamandú
Orsi remarking that "Just as the president manifested cooperation with CONMEBOL to vaccinate for the
Copa América, he could just as well have the same consideration for Canelones".[379]

In January 2025, Messi was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of
the United States, by President Joe Biden for his contributions in supporting healthcare and education
programs for children around the world.[380] He would be unable to attend the ceremony due to scheduling
conflicts, but sent a letter expressing his appreciation for the honor and his hopes of meeting President
Biden at a later date.[381]

Public art
Street art and public murals depicting Messi are regularly painted around the
world.[382][383] One prominent artwork that went viral is the Sistine Chapel of
Football, a parody of Leonardo Da Vinci's The Creation of Adam that features
both Messi and Diego Maradona, along with several other prominent Argentine
footballers. The work is exhibited at the Sportivo Pereyra club from Barracas in
Buenos Aires.[384]

Several public sculptures with Messi's likeness have been erected. Madame
Tussauds unveiled their first wax sculpture of Messi at Wembley Stadium in
2012.[385] After the announcement of his first retirement from the
international team in June 2016, a bronze statue of Messi was erected in
Buenos Aires days later in an attempt to convince him to return.[386] A life- One of many street art
sized statue of Messi holding the World Cup trophy was unveiled outside the displays depicting Messi.
CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay in March 2023, a few months
after Argentina's World Cup win. The statue would stand alongside those of
Pelé and Maradona.[387]

Media
Messi, a documentary by filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, premiered at the 71st Venice International Film
Festival in August 2014.[388] Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend, a biographical docuseries focusing
on Messi's career, his highs and lows with the Argentina national football team, and fairytale ending of with
the 2022 FIFA World Cup, aired on Apple TV+ on 21 February 2024.[389]

Business ventures
On 4 June 2024, Messi announced the release of Más+, an American brand of sports and energy drinks.
[390] Messi created the drink because he couldn't find a flavorful and healthy hydration option that suited

his needs.[391] The drink was teased to debut in Miami, Florida, on 13 June 2024. It was released in Publix
and Walmart stores and made available for delivery on Gopuff in South Florida the following day.[390]
Más+ is affiliated with White Claw Hard Seltzer founder Mark Anthony.[392]

Later that year, on 19 September 2024, Messi announced that he would be launching a production company
called 525 Rosario, named after his hometown. Headquartered in Miami and Los Angeles, the company was
created to produce film, sporting events and branded commercials for athletes worldwide. It would be a
joint venture with Smuggler Entertainment, who co-produced Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend
earlier in 2024.[393]

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Personal life

Family and relationships

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, who he eventually married on 30
June 2017 in their hometown of Rosario.[394][395] He has known Roccuzzo since he was five years old, as
she is the cousin of his childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia, who is also a football player.[396] 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.[397]

Messi and Roccuzzo have three sons. 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.[398] Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012.[399] In
April 2015, Messi confirmed that they were expecting another child.[400] In October 2017, his wife
announced they were expecting their third child.[401] Messi and his family are Catholic.[402]

Messi enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family members, particularly his mother, Celia, whose
face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are largely run as a family business: his
father, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14, and his oldest brother, Rodrigo, handles his daily schedule
and publicity. His mother and other brother, Matías, manage his charitable organization, the Leo Messi
Foundation, and take care of personal and professional matters in Rosario.[403]

Since leaving for Spain aged 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 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.[28][367][404] Messi has long planned to
return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's.[405] Messi holds triple citizenship, as he is a citizen
of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.[406]

Tax fraud
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.[407] 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."[408]

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Career statistics

Club

As of match played 16 March 2025

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

National
League Continental[b] Other Total
Club Season cup[a]

Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Barcelona Tercera
2003–04[409] 10 5 — — — 10 5
C División

Segunda
2003–04[410] División 5 0 — — — 5 0
B
Barcelona
Segunda
B
2004–05[411] División 17 6 — — — 17 6
B

Total 22 6 — — — 22 6

2004–05[411] La Liga 7 1 1 0 1 0 — 9 1

2005–06[412] La Liga 17 6 2 1 6 1 0 0 25 8

2006–07[413] La Liga 26 14 2 2 5 1 3[c] 0 36 17

2007–08[414] La Liga 28 10 3 0 9 6 — 40 16

2008–09[415] La Liga 31 23 8 6 12 9 — 51 38

2009–10[416] La Liga 35 34 3 1 11 8 4[d] 4 53 47

2010–11[417] La Liga 33 31 7 7 13 12 2[e] 3 55 53

2011–12[418] La Liga 37 50 7 3 11 14 5[f] 6 60 73

2012–13[419] La Liga 32 46 5 4 11 8 2[e] 2 50 60

Barcelona
2013–14[420] La Liga 31 28 6 5 7 8 2[e] 0 46 41

2014–15[421] La Liga 38 43 6 5 13 10 — 57 58

2015–16[422] La Liga 33 26 5 5 7 6 4[g] 4 49 41

2016–17[423] La Liga 34 37 7 5 9 11 2[e] 1 52 54

2017–18[424] La Liga 36 34 6 4 10 6 2[e] 1 54 45

2018–19[425] La Liga 34 36 5 3 10 12 1[e] 0 50 51

2019–20[426] La Liga 33 25 2 2 8 3 1[e] 1 44 31

2020–21[427] La Liga 35 30 5 3 6 5 1[e] 0 47 38

Total 520 474 80 56 149 120 29 22 778 672

2021–22[428] Ligue 1 26 6 1 0 7 5 — 34 11
Paris
Saint- 2022–23[429] Ligue 1 32 16 1 0 7 4 1[h] 1 41 21
Germain
Total 58 22 2 0 14 9 1 1 75 32

2023 MLS 6 1 1 0 — 7[i] 10 14 11

Inter 2024 MLS 19 20 — 3[j] 2 3[k] 1 25 23

Miami
2025 MLS 2 1 — 3[j] 3 0 0 5 4

Total 27 22 1 0 6 5 10 11 44 38

Career total 637 529 83 56 169 134 40 34 929 753

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a. Includes Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, U.S. Open Cup

b. All appearances in UEFA Champions League, unless otherwise noted
c. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España
d. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and two goals in Supercopa de España, two
appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
e. Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
f. One appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in Supercopa de
España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
g. One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de
España, one appearance and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup
h. Appearance in Trophée des Champions
i. Appearances in Leagues Cup
j. Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
k. Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs

International

As of match played 19 November 2024

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Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition

Competitive Friendly Total

Team Year
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

2004 — 2 3 2 3

Argentina U20[188][430] 2005 16[a] 11 — 16 11

Total 16 11 2 3 18 14

2008 5[b] 2 — 5[α] 2

Argentina U23[431][432]
Total 5 2 0 0 5 2

2005 3[c] 0 2 0 5 0

2006 3[d] 1 4 1 7 2

2007 10[e] 4 4 2 14 6

2008 6[f] 1 2 1 8 2

2009 8[f] 1 2 2 10 3

2010 5[g] 0 5 2 10 2

2011 8[h] 2 5 2 13 4

2012 5[i] 5 4 7 9 12

2013 5[i] 3 2 3 7 6

2014 7[j] 4 7 4 14 8

Argentina[436][437] 2015 6[k] 1 2 3 8 4

2016 10[l] 8 1 0 11 8

2017 5[m] 4 2 0 7 4

2018 4[n] 1 1 3 5 4

2019 6[o] 1 4 4 10 5

2020 4[p] 1 — 4 1

2021 16[q] 9 — 16 9

2022 10[r] 8 4 10 14 18

2023 5[s] 3 3 5 8 8

2024 9[t] 4 2 2 11 6

Total 135 61 56 51 191 112

Career total 156 74 58 54 213 128

a. Nine appearances and five goals in the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, seven appearances
and six goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.
b. Appearances in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
c. Appearances in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification.
d. Appearances in 2006 FIFA World Cup.
e. Six appearances and two goals in 2007 Copa América, four appearances and two goals in 2010 FIFA
World Cup qualification.
f. Appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

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g. Appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup.

h. Four appearances in 2011 Copa América, four appearances and two goals in 2014 FIFA World Cup
qualification.
i. Appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
j. Appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup.
k. Appearances in 2015 Copa América.
l. Five appearances and three goals in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five
goals in Copa América Centenario.
m. Appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.
n. Appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup.
o. Appearances in 2019 Copa América.
p. Appearances in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.
q. Nine appearances and five goals in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four
goals in 2021 Copa América.
r. Two appearances and one goal in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, one appearance in 2022
Finalissima, seven appearances and seven goals in 2022 FIFA World Cup.
s. Appearances in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
t. Five appearances and one goal in 2024 Copa América, four appearances and three goals in 2026 FIFA
World Cup qualification.

Honours
Barcelona[11][12][20]

▪ 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:[note 3] 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016,
2018
▪ UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
▪ UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Messi (Golden Ball winner)
▪ FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
pictured with future teammate
Paris Saint-Germain[12][20] Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) at
the conclusion of the 2011 FIFA
▪ Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23 Club World Cup final.
▪ Trophée des Champions: 2022
Inter Miami[12][13][20]

▪ Supporters' Shield: 2024

▪ Leagues Cup: 2023
Argentina U20[12][20]

▪ FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U23[12][20]

▪ Olympic Games: 2008

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Argentina[12][20]

▪ FIFA World Cup: 2022

▪ Copa América: 2021, 2024
▪ Finalissima: 2022
Individual

▪ Ballon d'Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023[note 2]
▪ FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2015, 2019, 2022, 2023[note 2]
▪ European Golden Shoe: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19[141][438]
▪ FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022[12][439]
▪ FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
▪ FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011[12]
▪ FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005[12]
▪ FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005[12]
▪ UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008–09
▪ UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2010–11, 2014–15
▪ UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19
▪ Copa América Golden Ball: 2015, 2021
▪ Copa América Golden Boot: 2021
▪ La Liga Best Player: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15,[440][441][442] 2016–17,
[443] 2017–18,[444] 2018–19[445][446]

▪ MLS Most Valuable Player: 2024[186]

▪ 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,[439] 2023[447]
▪ Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020[448]
▪ FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[449][450]
▪ Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023[451]
▪ Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017,
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[440][439][452]
Orders

▪ Creu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (30 April 2019)[453]

▪ Presidential Medal of Freedom, United States (4 January 2025)[380][454]

See also
▪ European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics
portal portal
▪ La Liga records and statistics
▪ List of Argentina international footballers Association
football portal
▪ List of association football rivalries
Argentina portal
▪ List of FC Barcelona players
Biography portal
▪ List of FC Barcelona records and statistics

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▪ List of Paris Saint-Germain FC players

▪ List of Inter Miami CF players
▪ List of FIFA World Cup winning players
▪ List of largest sports contracts
▪ List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
▪ List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
▪ List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals
▪ List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
▪ List of most-followed Instagram accounts
▪ List of most-liked Instagram posts
▪ List of players who have appeared in the most FIFA World Cups
▪ List of top international men's football goalscorers by country

Notes
1. According to FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, Messi by Guillem Balagué, his surname
is the single "Messi", in accordance with Argentine customs.[2][3] Other sources, including a 2014
document by FIFA, give his surname as the double "Messi Cuccittini".[4] After winning a libel case in
2017, Messi's own management company stated: "The football player Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini
has donated a total of €72,783.20 to the organisation Doctors Without Borders."[5]
2. Messi received France Football's 2009 Ballon d'Or and FIFA's 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year
award, prior to their six-year merger; he proceeded to win the newly formed award, the FIFA Ballon
d'Or, four times—2010, 2011, 2012, 2015. Both organisations credited him with five (FIFA) Ballon d'Or
awards.[6][7][8] He then went on to win the Ballon d'Or three more times—2019, 2021, 2023—again
assigned by the sole France Football, and won the newly established The Best FIFA Men's Player three
times as well—2019, 2022, 2023. France Football recognizes him as a record eight-time Ballon d'Or
winner and FIFA recognizes him as a record eight-time world's best player.[9][10]
3. According to FC Barcelona,[11] FIFA,[12] Major League Soccer,[13] the Royal Spanish Football
Federation,[14] and multiple media outlets,[15][16][17] Messi also won the 2005 Supercopa de España,
bringing his Barcelona trophy total to 35—and his career total to 46.[18] However, this particular trophy is
not credited here since Messi was out of the squad and did not feature in any of the two games against
Real Betis.[19][20]

α. Does not include an unofficial friendly match played on 24 May 2008 in Barcelona between Argentina
U23 and the Catalonia national football team,[433][434] as Catalonia is not affiliated with either FIFA or
UEFA as a national member association and is therefore not allowed to participate in official
competitions[435]

References
1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Squad List: Argentina (ARG)" (https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pd
f/SquadLists-English.pdf) (PDF). FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 1. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20221218195301/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf) (PDF) from the
original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
2. "Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi" (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi). FC
Barcelona. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20141018100823/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/footbal
l/first-team/staff/players/messi) from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
3. Balagué 2013, pp. 32–37.

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4. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140625085714/http://reso

urces.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf)
(PDF). FIFA. 10 June 2014. p. 2. Archived from the original (http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tour
nament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf) (PDF) on 25 June 2014. Retrieved
8 September 2015.
5. Marsden, Sam (2 November 2017). "Messi donates to charity after libel case win" (http://www.espn.in/fo
otball/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-new
spaper). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210204030732/https://www.espn.in/football/ba
rcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-newspaper)
from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
6. Lacombe, Rémy (11 January 2016). "Messi, le Cinquième Élément" (http://www.francefootball.fr/news/m
essi-le-cinquieme-element/623615) [Messi, the Fifth Element]. France Football (in French). Archived (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20240121175932/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-elem
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Bibliography

▪ Balagué, Guillem (2013). Messi (https://archive.org/details/messibiography0000bala). Orion Books.

ISBN 978-1-4091-4659-9.
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▪ Caioli, Luca (2015). Messi: More than a Superstar. Icon Books. ISBN 978-1-906850-91-3.
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External links
▪ Official website (https://messi.com)
▪ Profile (https://www.intermiamicf.com/players/lionel-messi/) at Inter Miami
▪ Profile (https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/squad/lionel-messi) at PSG
▪ Profile (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi) at FC Barcelona
▪ Profile (https://web.archive.org/web/20180719183842/http://www.laliga.es/en/player/messi) at La Liga
▪ Profile (https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=lionel-andres-messi-cuccittini) at Ligue 1
▪ Profile (https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/lionel-messi/) at MLS
▪ Lionel Messi (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j1753.html) at BDFutbol
▪ Lionel Messi (https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39850) at Soccerbase
▪ Lionel Messi (https://int.soccerway.com/players/-/119/) at Soccerway
▪ Lionel Messi (https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12066.html) at National-Football-
Teams.com
▪ Lionel Messi (https://web.archive.org/web/20150905/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coach
es/people=229397/index.html) – FIFA competition record (archived)
▪ Lionel Messi (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/95803/) – UEFA competition
record (archive (https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/playe
r=95803/profile/index.html))

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Lionel Messi - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi

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