Sports facts
Lionel Messi’s bio, career, net worth, stats & history
Lionel Messi, also known as Leo Messi, is a professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains the Argentina national team. He recently joined MLS team Inter Miami on June 2023. Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 he was named to the Ballon d’Or Dream Team.
Messi’s football intelligence, composure, and work ethic have allowed him to maintain an incredibly high level of performance throughout his career.
Profile Summary:
| Full Name | Lionel Messi |
| Date Of Birth | June 24, 1987 |
| Nationality | Argentinian |
| Birth Place | Rosario, Argentina |
| Height | 1.70m |
| Current Team | Inter Miami, Argentina National Team |
| Position | Forward, RW, CAM, CF |
Early Years:
Lionel Messi showed exceptional footballing talent from a very young age and and in 1995 joined the youth team of Newell’s Old Boys, a local youth clubs in Rosario, before catching the attention of FC Barcelona’s scouts. At the age of 13, Messi moved to Spain to join Barcelona’s famed youth academy, La Masia, where he honed his skills and developed his game.
He scored 21 goals in 14 games for the junior team, and he quickly graduated through the higher-level teams until at age 16 he was given his informal debut with FC Barcelona in a friendly match.
Club Career:
Messi made his debut for the first team in 2004 at the age of 16. In the 2004–05 season Messi, then 17, became the youngest official player and goal scorer in the Spanish La Liga and from there, he soared to unprecedented heights.
Messi quickly became Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, winning numerous domestic and international titles with the club.
During his time at Barcelona, Messi won:
- Ten La Liga titles: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19.
- Seven Copa del Rey titles: 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21.
- Four UEFA Champions League titles: 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15.
- Three FIFA Club World Cups: 2009, 2011, 2015.
In August 2021, Messi left Barcelona due to financial constraints faced by the club and signed with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Messi guided PSG to two Ligue 1 titles during the two season he was there. He also won the Trophée des Champions in 2022.
PSG honors;
- Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23
- Trophée des Champions: 2022
Lionel Messi has achieved a lot at club level. Here are some of his personal achievements:
- Ballon d’Or awards: Messi has won a record 7 Ballon d’Or awards, more than any other player in history.
- European Golden Shoes: Messi has won a record 6 European Golden Shoes, more than any other player in history.
- La Liga top scorer: Messi has won the La Liga top scorer award 8 times, more than any other player in the league’s history.
- European Golden Shoe: Messi has won the European Golden Shoe award 6 times, more than any other player in the award’s history.
- FIFA World Player of the Year: Messi won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009.
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Messi has won the The Best FIFA Men’s Player award twice, in 2019 and 2022.
Messi is also the all-time leading scorer for Barcelona, with over 670 goals in all competitions. He is also the all-time leading scorer in La Liga, with over 470 goals.
Messi’s personal achievements at club level are truly remarkable. He is one of the greatest players of all time, and his achievements are sure to be remembered for years to come.
International Career:
Messi quickly made a name for himself on his native country’s under-20 squad and in the summer of 2005 he led Argentina to the title in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Messi made his senior debut for the Argentina senior national team on August 17, 2005, in a friendly match against Hungary. At the age of 18, he became the youngest player to represent Argentina’s national team at the time.
In subsequent years, Messi continued to feature prominently for Argentina, participating in various international tournaments and qualification campaigns. He played a crucial role in helping Argentina win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, scoring two goals in the final against Nigeria.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil showcased Messi’s exceptional talent on the global stage. He led Argentina to the final but lost to Germany in a closely contested match. Messi’s performances throughout the tournament earned him the Golden Ball award for the best player.
In the following years, Messi continued to represent Argentina in major tournaments, including the Copa America. Although the team reached the finals of the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, they were unable to secure the trophy, facing defeats against Chile on both occasions.
However, Messi’s international fortunes changed in 2021 when he captained Argentina to victory in the Copa America held in Brazil. It was Argentina’s first major international title since 1993. Messi played a crucial role throughout the tournament, winning the Best Player and Top Scorer awards.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, Messi captained his team to the final where they went on the win on penalties against France. This was Argentina third World Cup title since 1986. Messi received the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, becoming the first player to win it twice. During the tournament Messi scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists.
Here are some of Messi’s most notable achievements at international level:
- 2021 Copa America champion: Messi was named the Player of the Tournament as Argentina won their first major title since 1986.
- 2022 FIFA World Cup champion: Messi was named the Player of the Tournament as Argentina won their third World Cup title.
- 100 international goals: Messi became the first Argentine player to score 100 goals for the national team.
- Golden Ball winner: Messi won the Golden Ball award as the best player at the 2021 Copa America and the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
Messi is a true legend of the game and his achievements at international level are simply astonishing. He is one of the most decorated players in history and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
Style of Play:
Lionel Messi’s style of play is a breathtaking combination of exquisite technical skills, incredible vision, and unmatched football intelligence. Often referred to as “The Flea” or “The Little Magician,” Messi’s playing style can be summarized as follows:
- Dribbling: Messi is renowned for his exceptional dribbling ability. He possesses an incredible close ball control that allows him to navigate through tight spaces and beat multiple defenders with ease. His low center of gravity and quick changes of direction make him incredibly elusive, making it challenging for opponents to dispossess him.
- Agility and Balance: Messi’s agility and balance are some of his greatest assets. His ability to change direction swiftly and maintain balance even when faced with physical challenges from defenders is extraordinary. This combination of attributes enables him to maintain control of the ball in seemingly impossible situations.
- Vision and Playmaking: Despite being an exceptional goal scorer, Messi’s playmaking abilities are equally impressive. He has an incredible vision, which allows him to pick out precise passes and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. His understanding of the game and ability to read the movements of players around him make him an excellent playmaker.
- Shooting: Messi possesses a lethal left foot, which he uses to devastating effect. He can score from a variety of positions on the field, whether it’s a powerful long-range shot, a delicate chip over the goalkeeper, or a precise finish from close range. His accuracy and composure in front of the goal make him a constant threat for opposing defenses.
- Free-Kicks: Messi is also known for his exceptional free-kick taking ability. He has a unique technique of striking the ball with precision and power, which often leaves goalkeepers helpless. He has scored numerous stunning free-kicks throughout his career, adding to his reputation as one of the best in the world.
Overall, Lionel Messi’s style of play is a harmonious blend of individual brilliance and selfless teamwork. His remarkable abilities have earned him countless accolades and records, but what truly sets him apart is his impact on the game itself. Whether scoring goals, creating chances, or mesmerizing fans with his skills, Messi’s influence on football has been nothing short of magical.
Messi’s Net Worth:
Lionel Messi’s net worth is estimated to be around $600 million according to https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/richest-soccer/lionel-messi-net-worth/. He is not only one of the highest-earning footballers but also one of the highest-paid athletes globally, thanks to his impressive endorsements and sponsorships.
His recent move to Inter Miami will see him earn $50-$60 million per year, making him the highest paid player in MLS. Messi will, of course, make even more than $50-60 million per year, as he will also be given a cut of profits from the league’s media rights deal with Apple and its apparel deal with Adidas.
In addition to his salary and endorsements, Messi also earns money from investments. He has invested in a number of businesses, including a hotel chain and a football academy.
Messi’s net worth is likely to continue to grow in the years to come. He is still one of the best players in the world, and he is likely to remain in the public eye for many years to come.
Messi’s Personal Life:
Lionel Messi is a private individual who tends to keep his personal life away from the limelight. He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Antonela Roccuzzo, and the couple has three children together – Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
Messi’s family is very important to him, and he has said that they are his biggest support system.
Messi’s Career Stats:
Lionel Messi’s career stats are a testament to his prolific goal-scoring ability and consistent performances throughout his career. The following are his club and international career stats:
Club Career:
FC Barcelona (2004-2021): 778 appearances, 672 goals, 303 assists.
Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023): 75 appearances, 32 goals, 35 assists.
As for his international career, Messi has made 175 appearances for Argentina’s national team, scoring 103 goals.
Others Want to Know:
- How many Ballon d’Or awards has Messi won?
Lionel Messi has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award a record 7 times.
- How many children does Messi have?
Lionel Messi is married to his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo, and the couple has three children together; Thiago (Born 2012), Mateo (Born 2015), Ciro (Born 2018).
- How many international goals has Messi scored?
Messi has scored 103 international goals since making his debut in 2005.
- Will Messi own Inter Miami?
MLS put a deal together for Messi that includes a percentage of sales from Apple’s MLS Season Pass, a percentage of Inter Miami’s shirt sales and an ownership stake in the club.
- Why did Messi leave Barcelona?
Messi left Barcelona because the club didn’t have wage budget left to offer him a new contract. He joined PSG in 2021 on a two year deal worth 30 million euros a year.
Lionel Messi’s incredible skills, records, and impact on the game have cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His ability to consistently perform at the highest level, both for his clubs and the national team, has made him an inspiration for aspiring footballers worldwide.
