Lionel Messi is an Argentina professional football player born on 24 June 1987. He’s good at what he does and plays as a forward for Inter Miami, a club in Major League Soccer, as well as for the Argentina national team.
Messi is famous for being one of the best players ever. He’s won lots of awards, including eight Ballon d’Or trophies (that’s a big deal in soccer), six European Golden Shoes, and FIFA’s best player award eight times!
Before joining Inter Miami, Lionel Messi spent his whole pro career with Barcelona, a club in Spain. He won tons of trophies there, including La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League. With Argentina, he won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi is good at scoring goals and making plays happen. He’s broken lots of records, like scoring the most goals in La Liga and having the most international goals by a South American player.
He started playing for Barcelona when he was just 13 years old and made his debut when he was 17. Over the years, he became Barcelona’s top scorer and won several Ballon d’Or awards.
In 2021, Lionel Messi left Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons before moving to Inter Miami in 2023. He’s been successful wherever he’s played, winning titles and making a big impact on the field.
For Argentina, Messi is their all-time leading goal scorer. He’s played in several FIFA World Cups and Copa América tournaments, leading his team to the finals multiple times.
Off the field, Messi is a big deal too. He’s been sponsored by Adidas for many years and has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. He’s also been recognized for his influence, being named among Time’s 100 most influential people and winning awards like the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.
In 2020, Messi became only the second footballer ever to make over $1 billion in earnings. So, not only is he amazing on the soccer field, but he’s also a big deal in the business world.
| Full Name | Lionel Messi |
| Date of Birth | June 24, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Rosario, Argentina |
| Occupation | Professional Footballer |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Spouse | Antonela Roccuzzo |
| Children | Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi, Ciro Messi |
| Net Worth | $650 million |
Lionel Messi Early Life And Education
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, on June 24, 1987. He grew up in a family that loved football. His dad worked in a steel factory, and his mom worked in a magnet workshop. He had three brothers and cousins who also played football.
At the age of four, Messi joined a local club called Grandoli. His dad coached him there, but his biggest inspiration was his grandmother, Celia, who always supported him until she passed away when he was eleven.
Messi was a big fan of Newell’s Old Boys, a football club. He joined them when he was six and scored a lot of goals for their youth team. But when he was ten, doctors found out he had a growth hormone deficiency. His family couldn’t afford his treatment, but eventually, he got help from a club in Buenos Aires.
Messi’s family had relatives in Barcelona, so they arranged for him to try out for FC Barcelona when he was thirteen. Even though he was young, the club wanted to sign him. They faced some obstacles, but eventually, he joined them in Spain.
At first, life in Barcelona was tough for Messi. He couldn’t play in official matches for a while because of some rules. He also missed his family back in Argentina. But eventually, he settled in and became part of the team.
After a year in Barcelona’s youth academy, Messi finally got to play in official matches. He became friends with other players like Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué. He also finished his treatment for his growth hormone deficiency.
In his first full season, Lionel Messi was the top scorer for Barcelona’s youth team. They won a bunch of trophies, including the league and cups. Even though he got offers from other clubs like Arsenal, he decided to stay in Barcelona.
Career
When Lionel Messi was just 16 years and a few months old, he played his first game for Barcelona’s main team. This happened during a match against Porto in November 2003. He wasn’t a regular starter at first, but under coach Frank Rijkaard, he got more chances to play. His first official game in the league was in October 2004 against Espanyol, and he scored his first goal in May 2005 against Albacete, thanks to an assist from Ronaldinho.
Messi’s early years with Barcelona were quite successful. He helped the team win the league title in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. Although he got injured, he still played a part in winning the Champions League in 2006.
One of Messi’s memorable moments was in March 2007 when he scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid, helping Barcelona tie the game 3–3. However, despite his brilliance, Barcelona didn’t win any trophies in the next two seasons under Rijkaard.
In the 2008–09 season, with Pep Guardiola as the new coach, Messi’s career reached new heights. He, along with Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry, scored a combined total of 100 goals in all competitions. This was a record for the club at that time.
Under Guardiola’s guidance, Lionel Messi’s role evolved and he played as a “false nine” for the first time in May 2009. He had a remarkable performance, scoring twice and assisting once in a 6–2 victory against Real Madrid. This season marked the beginning of a period of unprecedented success for Barcelona.
In 2009, Barcelona became the first club to win six major trophies in a single year. Lionel Messi played a crucial role in this success, winning the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. He also won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award for his outstanding performance.
Messi continued to excel in the following seasons, breaking numerous records along the way. He consistently emerged as the top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League. His exceptional goal-scoring abilities earned him multiple Ballon d’Or awards, cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Player profile
Lionel Messi is good at soccer for a few reasons. First, because he’s short, he can move faster and change direction quickly, which helps him avoid getting tackled by other players. People in Spain even call him “The Atomic Flea” because he’s so quick.
Even though he’s not big, he’s still strong, especially in his upper body. This, combined with his low center of gravity, helps him stay balanced and resist getting knocked over by other players. Plus, his short but strong legs let him sprint fast and keep control of the ball when he’s running with it.
His former coach once said Messi runs faster when he’s dribbling the ball than when he’s not. He’s mostly left-footed, meaning he’s better at using his left foot to kick and pass, but he’s gotten better with his right foot over time.
Messi is famous for scoring goals, partly because he’s good at finding the right position on the field and reacting quickly to opportunities. He’s also great at setting up goals for his teammates with his passing skills.
People often call Lionel Messi a magician because he can make incredible plays happen seemingly out of nowhere. He’s also really good at free kicks and penalty kicks.
When Messi has the ball, he’s a master at dribbling it past opponents, especially during fast breaks. His former coach compared him to other great players and said he’s never seen anyone control the ball as well as Lionel Messi.
But Messi isn’t just about individual skill; he’s also a great team player. He works well with his teammates, especially with midfielders like Xavi and Iniesta from his old team, Barcelona.
Lionel Messi is flexible in his playing style. He can attack from anywhere on the field, whether it’s on the sides or through the middle. He started off playing behind two strikers when he was younger but later switched to the wings before moving into a more central attacking role.
As Messi has gotten older, he’s adjusted his playing style. He’s become more of a playmaker, focusing on passing and creating opportunities for his team rather than just scoring goals himself. He’s also learned to conserve his energy better to avoid injuries. With Argentina’s national team, he’s played in various positions depending on what his coaches want.
Messi vs. Ronaldo
In the world of soccer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are often compared to each other, much like famous rivalries in other sports, such as Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier in boxing or Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal in tennis. Their rivalry has fueled discussions for years.
While Messi has sometimes said there’s no rivalry, many believe they push each other to be better players. Since 2008, Messi has won more awards than Ronaldo, including eight Ballon d’Ors to Ronaldo’s five, seven FIFA World’s Best Player awards to Ronaldo’s five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo’s four. People constantly debate who is the better player.
Their differences go beyond their playing styles. Ronaldo is taller and more muscular, with a confident and theatrical personality, while Messi is known for his humility. They’ve faced off multiple times each season in El Clásico, one of the most-watched sports events in the world.
Off the field, they compete for things like salary, sponsorships, and social media followers. After Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, many believe he’s proven himself as the superior player.
Salaries
For most of the years between 2009 and 2014, Lionel Messi was the highest-paid footballer globally. In 2013, he made €41 million and in 2014, €65 million, breaking records. In 2015-16, he was second only to Ronaldo in earnings, making $81 million. In 2018, he was the first to earn over €100 million in a year, and in 2019, Forbes named him the highest-paid athlete.
From 2008, Messi was Barcelona’s top earner, with his salary climbing from €7.8 million to €13 million in five years. In 2017, he signed a new contract with a weekly wage of $667,000 and a $60 million signing bonus. His contract had a buyout clause of $835 million.
Apart from his salary, Lionel Messi earns a lot from endorsements. He’s been a big name for Adidas since 2006 and has deals with other brands like Pepsi and Konami. Over the years, he’s broadened his appeal, endorsing luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Audemars Piguet, as well as companies like Gillette and Turkish Airlines.
Messi has been a big deal off the field too. He’s been on the covers of video games and named among the Time 100 most influential people. He’s got millions of followers on social media, making him one of the most popular athletes globally. He’s also been recognized for his economic impact on his city.
Beyond sports, Lionel Messi has done some interesting stuff. He’s had a wax sculpture made of him, and a gold replica of his foot was sold to raise money for charity. He’s starred in popular ads and even had a documentary made about him. Recently, he’s become an ambassador for the Hard Rock Cafe and Saudi Arabia’s tourism, although the latter move sparked some controversy.
In April 2023, he was part of the Thrissur Pooram festival in India, where they displayed illuminated cut-outs of him holding the World Cup trophy on elephants’ umbrellas during a big ceremony.
Net Worth
Lionel Messi’s Net Worth is estimated to be $650 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Personal Life
Since 2008, Lionel Messi has been dating Antonela Roccuzzo, who’s from the same place as him, Rosario. They’ve known each other since they were kids because she’s the cousin of his childhood friend Lucas Scaglia, who also plays football. They kept their relationship secret for about a year, but then Messi talked about it in an interview in January 2009. They officially went public a month later during a carnival in Sitges after a big football match.
Messi and Roccuzzo have three kids. When they were expecting their first child, Messi celebrated by pretending to be pregnant after scoring a goal in a match against Ecuador in June 2012. Two weeks later, he confirmed the news in an interview. Their first son, Thiago, was born in Barcelona on November 2, 2012. In April 2015, Messi announced they were expecting another child. They got married on June 30, 2017, in a fancy hotel in Rosario. In October 2017, they revealed they were expecting their third child. They’re a Catholic family.
Messi is close to his family, especially his mom, Celia, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His dad, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14, and his brother Rodrigo helps with his schedule and publicity. His mom and another brother, Matías, manage his charity, the Leo Messi Foundation, and handle personal and professional stuff in Rosario.
Even though Lionel Messi moved to Spain when he was 13, he’s still connected to Rosario. He still owns his family’s old house there, even though nobody lives in it now. He has a fancy apartment for his mom in Rosario and a family spot just outside the city. He’s tight with a small group of friends from Rosario and makes sure to stay in touch with them every day. When he was training in Buenos Aires, he’d drive three hours just to have dinner with his family and then head back the next day.
When he was in Barcelona, things were tense between him and the club at first, but by 2012, they made up, and his old club even gave his son a membership card. Messi has always wanted to finish his football career back home at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario. He’s a citizen of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.
Philanthropy
In his career, Messi has been deeply committed to helping vulnerable children influenced by his health challenges as a child. Since 2004 he has actively supported UNICEF becoming a Goodwill Ambassador in 2010. His first mission took him to Haiti after the devastating earthquake raising awareness about the needs of children there. Messi continues to work with UNICEF on campaigns for HIV prevention education and the inclusion of disabled children.
In addition to UNICEF Messi started his charity the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007. It focuses on providing healthcare education and sports opportunities for children. Inspired by a visit to a children’s hospital in Boston Messi uses part of his income to fund medical research training and centers worldwide.
Messi also invests in youth football in Argentina supporting clubs like Sarmiento and providing facilities for young players at various clubs. He has donated to causes like Médecins Sans Frontières and contributed €1 million to fight COVID-19. During the pandemic, he and his Barcelona teammates took salary cuts to support club staff.
In 2016 when Argentina’s football association faced financial trouble Messi paid the salaries of three security staff members. He also auctioned off his record-breaking goal-scoring shoes for charity raising £125000 for children with cancer.
Before the 2021 Copa América Messi donated signed shirts to a pharmaceutical firm to secure COVID-19 vaccines for South American footballers sparking debate due to vaccine shortages in the region.
