Lionel Messi
Argentine footballer, record holder, and most decorated player in history.
Lionel Andrés Messi, commonly called Leo, was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He plays forward for and captains Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami. Many consider him one of football’s all-time greats. His individual honors include eight Ballons d’Or, six European Golden Shoes, and eight FIFA World Player of the Year awards. In 2024, ESPN named him the best player of the 21st century; the following year, the IFFHS called him the All Time Men’s World Best Player. He won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020 and 2023, the first team-sport athlete to do so. Time magazine listed him among the world’s 100 most influential people in 2011, 2012, and 2023.
Messi holds the record for most team trophies in professional football: 46 across more than 1,150 appearances. His statistical records include 91 goals in a calendar year, 12 assists in a single World Cup, and 65 international assists. He has scored over 920 senior goals and provided over 420 assists for club and country, ranking second all-time in goals and first in assists. Forbes ranked him the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2019 and 2022. In 2020, he became the second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings. By 2026, Forbes listed him among the world’s billionaires with a net worth of $1.1 billion.
Messi debuted for Barcelona’s first team in 2004 at age 17. He quickly gained recognition as a top young talent, winning FIFPro Young Player of the Year three times in a row (2006–2008). In the 2008–09 season, his first uninterrupted campaign, he helped Barcelona win the first treble in Spanish football. That earned him the first of four consecutive Ballons d’Or. By 2011–12, he had set the European single-season scoring record and become Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. During the 2014–15 season, he formed the MSN trio with Luis Suárez and Neymar, leading Barcelona to a second treble and winning his fifth Ballon d’Or.
Messi became Barcelona’s captain in 2018. With the club, he won a record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. He set records for most goals for a single club (672) and most in La Liga (474). Financial troubles forced him to leave Barcelona in 2021, signing with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won two Ligue 1 titles. He joined Inter Miami in 2023, leading them to their first MLS Cup in 2025 and winning
- born
- 24 June 1987
- field
- Professional footballer
- nationality
- Argentine
- known_for
- Eight Ballons d'Or, most goals in a calendar year (91), most assists in FIFA World Cup (12), most assists in international football (65)
Lore & Background
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina, to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini. He grew up playing football with his older brothers and cousins, and at age four joined local club Abanderado Grandoli, coached by his father. At age seven, he began playing for Newell's Old Boys, scoring nearly 500 goals in six years and becoming a lifelong supporter. At age 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency; his father's health insurance covered only two years of therapy, and Newell's initially agreed to contribute but later reneged. After a trial with Barcelona in September 2000, director Carles Rexach signed him on a napkin contract. Messi's family relocated to Barcelona, and after a year at La Masia, he was enrolled in the RFEF in February 2002. He completed growth hormone therapy at age 14 and became part of the "Baby Dream Team," scoring 36 goals in 30 games during the 2002–03 season.
Reader's Guide
Messi made his competitive debut for Barcelona in 2004 at age 17. During his first uninterrupted season in 2008–09, he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football, winning the first of four consecutive Ballons d'Or. He set the European record for most goals in a season in 2011–12 and became Barcelona's all-time top scorer. With Barcelona, he won a club-record 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues, and set records for most goals for a single club (672) and most goals in La Liga (474). Financial difficulties forced him to leave Barcelona in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain, where he won two Ligue 1 titles. He joined Inter Miami in 2023, leading them to their first MLS Cup victory in 2025 and winning league MVP in 2024 and 2025. For Argentina, he is the all-time leading goalscorer (125) and most-capped player (207). He led Argentina to victory at the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América, and at the 2026 World Cup led them to a second consecutive final before retiring from international football. He was named Time's Athlete of the Year in 2023 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
Did You Know?
- Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age 10 and began therapy at age 11.
- He scored 36 goals in 30 games for Barcelona's Cadetes A during the 2002–03 season.
- Messi is the second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.
- He was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS in 2025.
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