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{{Short description|Argentine footballer (born 1987)}}
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{{Use British English|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lionel Messi
| name = Lionel Messi
| image = 2015 UEFA Super Cup 64 crop.jpg
| image = Lionel-Messi-Argentina-2022-FIFA-World-Cup (cropped).jpg
| caption = Messi with [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]]
| image_size =
| full_name = Lionel Andrés Messi<ref name="NameBirthHeight">{{Cite web|url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: List of Players: Argentina |publisher=FIFA |page=1 |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195301/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| caption = Messi with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] during the [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] in August 2015
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|24|df=y}}<ref name="NameBirthHeight" />
| fullname = Lionel Andrés Messi
| birth_place = [[Rosario]], Argentina
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|24|df=y}}
| height = 1.70 m<ref name="NameBirthHeight" />
| birth_place = [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]], Argentina
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| height = {{height|m=1.70}}<ref name="Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi"/>
| currentclub = [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]]
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| clubnumber = 10
| currentclub = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 1994–2000 |youthclubs1 = [[Newell's Old Boys]]
| youthclubs1 = Grandoli
| youthyears2 = 2001–2004 |youthclubs2 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| youthyears2 = 1995–2000
| youthclubs2 = [[Newell's Old Boys]]
| years1 = 2003–2004 |clubs1 = [[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]] |caps1 = 10 |goals1 = 5
| youthyears3 = 2000–2003
| years2 = 2004–2005 |clubs2 = [[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]] |caps2 = 22 |goals2 = 6
| youthclubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| years3 = 2004– |clubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] |caps3 = 382 |goals3 = 349<!-- LEAGUE ONLY --><!--Only update at the end of the match-->
| years1 = 2003–2004
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005 |nationalteam1 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]] |nationalcaps1 = 18 |nationalgoals1 = 14
| clubs1 = [[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]]
| nationalyears2 = 2008 |nationalteam2 = [[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]] |nationalcaps2 = 5 |nationalgoals2 = 2
| caps1 = 10
| nationalyears3 = 2005– |nationalteam3 = [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] |nationalcaps3 = 117 |nationalgoals3 = 58
| medaltemplates =
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2004–2005
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|Argentina}}}}
| clubs2 = [[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]
{{MedalCompetition|[[South American Youth Football Championship|South American U-20 Championship]]}}
| caps2 = 22
{{Medal|3rd|[[2005 South American U-20 Championship|2005 Colombia]]|}}
| goals2 = 6
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}}
| years3 = 2004–2021
{{Medal|Winner|[[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005 Netherlands]]|}}
| clubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps3 = 520
| goals3 = 474
| years4 = 2021–2023
| clubs4 = [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
| caps4 = 58
| goals4 = 22
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]]
| caps5 = 18
| goals5 = 13
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005
| nationalteam1 = [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 18
| nationalgoals1 = 14
| nationalyears2 = 2008
| nationalteam2 = [[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]]
| nationalcaps2 = 5{{efn-lg|name=U23}}
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2005–
| nationalteam3 = [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]
| nationalcaps3 = 186
| nationalgoals3 = [[List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi|109]]
| club-update = 04:00, 2 June 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 02:22, 10 July 2024 (UTC)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|ARG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 Qatar]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 Brazil]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2021 Copa América|2021 Brazil]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Copa América|2007 Venezuela]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Copa América|2007 Venezuela]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2015 Copa América|2015 Chile]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2015 Copa América|2015 Chile]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[Copa América Centenario|2016 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[Copa América Centenario|2016 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2019 Copa América|2019 Brazil]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Beijing]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2022 Finalissima|2022 England]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the Summer Olympics#Men's tournament|Olympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 Brazil]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
| club-update = 21 May 2017
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}}
| nationalteam-update = 23 March 2017
{{Medal|Winner|[[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005 Netherlands]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[South American Youth Football Championship|South American U-20 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2005 South American U-20 Championship|2005 Colombia]]|}}
| module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| signature = File:Firma de Lionel Messi.svg
| signature_alt = Lionel Messi signature}}
}}
}}


'''Lionel Andrés''' "'''Leo'''" '''Messi'''{{refn|group=note|According to FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, ''Messi'' by [[Guillem Balagué]], his surname is the single "Messi", in accordance with Argentine customs.<ref name="BarcaProfile">{{Cite web|title=Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi |publisher=FC Barcelona |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi |access-date=8 September 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}} Other sources, including a 2014 document by [[FIFA]], give his surname as the double "Messi Cuccittini".<ref>{{Cite web|title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players |publisher=FIFA |date=10 June 2014 |page=2 |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625085714/http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2014 |access-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> 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]]."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Marsden |first=Sam |url=http://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-newspaper |title=Messi donates to charity after libel case win |publisher=ESPN |date=2 November 2017|access-date=3 November 2017}}</ref>}} ({{IPA-es|ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi|-|Lionel Andrés Messi - Name.ogg}}; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[forward (association football)|forward]] for and [[Captain (association football)|captains]] both [[Major League Soccer]] club [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]] and the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]]. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time,<!--DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT CONSENSUS--> Messi has won a record eight [[Ballon d'Or]] awards, a record six [[European Golden Shoe]]s, and was named the [[The Best FIFA Men's Player#FIFA Player of the Year (including predecessors)|world's best player]] for a record eight times by [[FIFA]].{{refn|group=note|name=BDOFIFA|Messi received ''[[France Football]]''{{'}}s [[2009 Ballon d'Or]] and [[FIFA]]'s [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, prior to their [[FIFA Ballon d'Or#History|six-year merger]]; he proceeded to win the newly formed award, the [[FIFA Ballon d'Or]], four times—[[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2010]], [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2011]], [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2012]], [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]]. Both organisations credited him with five (FIFA) Ballon d'Or awards.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Rémy |last=Lacombe |title=Messi, le Cinquième Élément |trans-title=Messi, the Fifth Element |magazine=France Football |date=11 January 2016 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121175932/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 |publisher=FIFA |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202210654/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2016 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Straeten |first1=Karine van der |last2=Laslier |first2=Jean-François |last3=Daoust |first3=Jean-François |last4=Blais |first4=André |last5=Arrondel |first5=Luc |last6=Anderson |first6=Christopher J. |title=Messi, Ronaldo, and the Politics of Celebrity Elections: Voting for the Best Soccer Player in the World |journal=Perspectives on Politics |volume=18 |pages=91–110 |doi=10.1017/S1537592719002391 |issn=1537-5927 |year=2020 |doi-access=free}}</ref> He then went on to win the Ballon d'Or three more times—[[2019 Ballon d'Or|2019]], [[2021 Ballon d'Or|2021]], [[2023 Ballon d'Or|2023]]—again assigned by the sole ''France Football'', and won the newly established [[The Best FIFA Men's Player]] three times as well—[[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019#The Best FIFA Men's Player|2019]], [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022#The Best FIFA Men's Player|2022]], [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023#The Best FIFA Men's Player|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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ballon d'Or 2023 : Lionel Messi sacré pour la huitième fois |trans-title=Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi crowned for the eighth time |publisher=L'Equipe |date=30 October 2023 |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ballon-d-or-2023-lionel-messi-sacre-pour-la-huitieme-fois/1428922 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121173444/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ballon-d-or-2023-lionel-messi-sacre-pour-la-huitieme-fois/1428922 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi wins The Best FIFA Men's Player Award |publisher=FIFA |date=15 January 2024 |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-wins-best-fifa-mens-player-award-2023 |quote=Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men's Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022 [...] Messi also won the 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player award and was recognised by FIFA as the leading player in the men's game on five occasions prior to that – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 – making this his eighth individual award in total. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121173350/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-wins-best-fifa-mens-player-award-2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024}}</ref>}} He has won a record [[List of career achievements by Lionel Messi|43 trophies in his career]]. Until 2021, he had spent [[Career of Lionel Messi|his entire professional career]] with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], where he won a [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics|club-record]] 34 trophies, including ten [[La Liga]] titles, seven [[Copa del Rey]] titles, and the [[UEFA Champions League]] four times. With his country, he won the [[2021 Copa América]] and the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]]. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for [[List of La Liga top scorers#All-time top scorers|most goals]] (474), [[List of La Liga hat-tricks|hat-tricks]] (36), and [[Assist (association football)|assists]] (192) in La Liga, most [[Copa América records and statistics|appearances]] (36) and assists (18) in the Copa América. He has the [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals|most international goals]] (109) and [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|appearances]] (186) by a South American male. Messi has scored over [[List of footballers with 500 or more goals|800 senior career goals]] for club and country, and the most goals for a single club (672).
'''Lionel Andrés''' "'''Leo'''" '''Messi'''{{refn|group=note|According to his club's official website, FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, ''Messi'' by [[Guillem Balagué]], his surname is the single "Messi", in accordance with Argentine customs.<ref name="Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi">{{cite web |title=Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi |publisher=FC Barcelona |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi |accessdate=8 September 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}} Other sources, including a 2014 document by [[FIFA]], give his surname as the double "Messi Cuccittini".<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players |publisher=FIFA |date=10 June 2014 |format=PDF |page=2 |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |accessdate=8 September 2015}}</ref>}} ({{IPA-es|ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi|-|Lionel Andrés Messi - Name.ogg}}; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] for Spanish club [[FC Barcelona]] and the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]]. Often considered the best player in the world, he is regarded by many in the sport, including critics, commentators and fans, as the greatest of all time.<ref>Manager, player, and former player's opinions on Messi being the greatest ever:
<br>[http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/24/football/el-clasico-lionel-messi-greatest-ever-ter-stegen-barcelona-real-madrid/index.html – Ter Stegen: "I think he's the greatest ever". cnn.com, April 25 2017<br>
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/13/bayern-munich-pep-guardiola-barcelona-lionel-messi-best-player-champions-league – "Guardiola: "He is the best player of all time"]. theguardian.com, May 13 2015<br>
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2869764/Lionel-Messi-best-player-believes-PSG-defender-David-Luiz.html – "David Luis: "Messi is fantastic, the best player ever"]. dailymail.co.uk, December 11 2014<br>
http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/jose-luis-chilavert-messi-the-best-all-time-far-3927554 – "Jose Luis Chilavert: "The best by far is Messi. Second is Maradona, third is Pele and Di Stefano"]. sport-english.com, February 2 2015.<br>
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-barcelona-clasico-vs-real-madrid-goal-highlights-luis-suarez-a7698926.html – "Luis Suarez: "It's time to enjoy the best player in the world, and of all time"]. independent.co.uk, April 24 2017.<br>
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/gerry-armstrong-lionel-messi-is-the-greatest-28526228.html – "Gerry Armstrong: "... I said that the best player I played against was Maradona and the best player I have played with was Bestie. But I can now say I have never seen a player as good as Messi"]. belfasttelegraph.co.uk, March 29 2010<br>
http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/chile-manager-pizzi-labels-messi-as-the-best-player-of-all-time-116062700393_1.html – "Juan Antonio Pizzi: "In my point of view, Messi is the best player of all time"]. business-standard.com, June 27 2016.<br>
http://www.givemesport.com/838498-wayne-rooney-lionel-messi-is-the-best-ever – "Wayne Rooney: "Messi is a joke. For me, the best ever"]. givemesport.com, March 7 2012.<br>
http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/jovetic-full-praise-for-messi-the-best-player-all-time-5858747 – "Jovetic: "He is the best of all time"]. sport-english.com, February 24 2017<br>https://m.sportskeeda.com/football/lionel-messi-best-footballer-all-time-manchester-city-david-silva – "David Silva: "He's the best of all time"]. December 18 2014.</ref><ref>Critics regarding Messi as the best ever:
<br>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/24/lionel-messi-showed-complete-player-ever-guts-glory-goals/|title=How Lionel Messi showed he is the most complete player ever: the guts, the glory,<br>http://metro.co.uk/2014/11/26/end-the-debate-why-lionel-messi-is-the-greatest-footballer-of-all-time-4963407/
<br>http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/lionel-messi-retires-social-media-reacts-to-argentina-forwards-decision-to-end-international-career-a7105146.html<br>https://www.si.com/soccer/video/2016/05/25/lionel-messi-greatest-soccer-player-ever<br>http://www.espnfc.co.uk/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/2810618/lionel-messi-season-for-barcelona-secure-best-ever-status<br>https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-happened-when-we-met-lionel-messi-and-let-him-edit-fourfourtwo-magazine<br>http://www.punditarena.com/football/voshea/why-lionel-messi-is-the-greatest-player-we-will-ever-see/<br>http://www.firstpost.com/sports/lionel-messi-his-legacy-unmoved-by-failures-remains-the-greatest-of-all-time-2858122.html<br>http://www.the42.ie/guillem-balague-lionel-messi-best-player-history-1218697-Dec2013/<br>http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/international-football/2016/06/29/25155662/messi-over-maradona-goal-readers-choose-barcelona-star-as<br>http://www.90min.com/posts/2137437-10-reasons-why-leo-messi-is-the-best-player-of-all-time-and-not-of-human-form</ref>
Messi is the only player in history to win five [[FIFA Ballon d'Or]] awards, four of which he won consecutively, and the first to win three [[European Golden Shoe]]s.{{refn|group=note|In addition to four FIFA Ballons d'Or, Messi received ''[[France Football]]''{{'}}s [[Ballon d'Or (1956–2009)|Ballon d'Or]] and [[FIFA]]'s [[FIFA World Player of the Year|World Player of the Year award]] prior to their fusion; both organisations credit him with five (FIFA) Ballons d'Or.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Rémy |last=Lacombe |title=Messi, le Cinquième Élément |journal=France Football |date=11 January 2016 |url= http://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615 |accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 |publisher=FIFA |date=11 January 2016 |url=http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html |accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref>}} He has won 29<!-- Please do NOT change to 30. We are not counting the 2005 Supercopa. If you disagree, please start a discussion on the Talk: page. --> trophies with Barcelona, including eight [[La Liga]] titles, four [[UEFA Champions League]] titles, and five [[Copas del Rey]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Andres Iniesta and Leo Messi win 30th trophy with Barcelona |publisher=Sport |date=28 May 2017 |url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/andres-iniesta-and-leo-messi-win-30th-trophy-with-barcelona-6066205 |accessdate=2 June 2017}}</ref> Both a prolific goalscorer and a creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most official goals scored in [[List of La Liga top scorers#All-time top scorers|La Liga]] (349), [[Spanish football top scorers#Top scorers in La Liga by seasons|a La Liga season]] (50) and [[European association football club records#Most goals in a season|a club football season in Europe]] (73), as well as those for most assists made in La Liga (137) and the [[Copa América]] (11). He has scored over [[List of men's association football players with 500 or more goals|500 senior career goals]] for club and country.


Messi relocated to Spain and joined Barcelona aged 13, making his competitive debut at age 17 in October 2004. He established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, and in his first uninterrupted season in [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]] helped Barcelona achieve the first [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in Spanish football; that year, aged 22, Messi won his first [[2009 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]]. Messi won four consecutive Ballons d'Or, the first player to win it four times. During the [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12 season]], he set La Liga and European records for most goals in a season, while establishing himself as [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics#Top goalscorers|Barcelona's all-time top scorer]]. The following two seasons, he finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], his perceived [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|career rival]], before regaining his best form during the [[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15 campaign]], becoming the all-time top scorer in La Liga and leading Barcelona to a historic second treble, and was awarded a fifth Ballon d'Or in [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]]. Messi assumed captaincy of Barcelona in 2018, and won a record [[2019 Ballon d'Or|sixth Ballon d'Or]] in 2019. He signed for French club [[Paris Saint-Germain]] in August 2021, spending two seasons there and winning [[Ligue 1]] twice. Messi joined American club Inter Miami in July 2023, winning the [[2023 Leagues Cup|Leagues Cup]] in August.
Born and raised in central Argentina, Messi was diagnosed with a [[growth hormone deficiency]] as a child. At age 13, he relocated to Spain to join Barcelona, who agreed to pay for his medical treatment. After a fast progression through Barcelona's youth academy, Messi made his competitive debut aged 17 in October 2004. Despite being injury-prone during his early career, he established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, finishing 2007 as a finalist for both the [[Ballon d'Or]] and [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, a feat he repeated the following year. His first uninterrupted campaign came in the 2008–09 season, during which he helped Barcelona achieve the first [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in Spanish football. At 22 years old, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award by record voting margins.


An Argentine international, Messi is the country's [[Argentina national football team#Top goalscorers|all-time leading goalscorer]] and holds the [[Argentina national football team#Most-capped players|national record for appearances]]. At youth level, he won the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]] and gold at the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Summer Olympics]]. His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbler]] drew comparisons with compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], who described Messi as [[New Maradona|his successor]]. After his senior debut in 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a [[FIFA World Cup]] ([[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]]). As the squad's captain from 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], the [[2015 Copa América]] and the [[Copa América Centenario|2016 Copa América]]. After announcing his international retirement in 2016, he reversed this and led his country to qualification for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] and victory in the [[2021 Copa América]]. He led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, where he won a record second Golden Ball, scored seven goals including two in [[2022 FIFA World Cup final|the final]], and broke the record for [[List of players who have appeared in the most FIFA World Cups|most games played at the World Cup]] (26), later receiving his record-extending [[2023 Ballon d'Or|eighth Ballon d'Or]] in 2023.
Three successful seasons followed, with Messi winning three consecutive FIFA Ballons d'Or, including an unprecedented fourth. His personal best campaign to date was the 2011–12 season, in which he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season, while establishing himself as [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics#Records|Barcelona's all-time top scorer]] in official competitions in March 2012. He again struggled with injury during the following two seasons, twice finishing second for the Ballon d'Or behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], his perceived [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|career rival]]. Messi regained his best form during the 2014–15 campaign, breaking the all-time goalscoring records in both La Liga and the [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#All-time top scorers|Champions League]] in November 2014,{{refn|group=note|Since surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is the second-highest goalscorer in the European Cup/Champions League as of April 2017.}} and led Barcelona to a historic second treble.


Messi has endorsed sportswear company [[Adidas]] since 2006. 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 [[Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes|world's highest-paid athlete]] by ''[[Forbes]]'' in 2019 and 2022. Messi was among ''[[Time 100|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2011, 2012, and 2023. In 2020 and 2023, he was named the [[Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year]], the first team-sport athlete to win it. In 2020, Messi was named to the [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team]] and became the second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass $1&nbsp;billion in career earnings.
An Argentine international, Messi is his country's [[Argentina national football team#Top goalscorers|all-time leading goalscorer]]. At youth level, he won the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]], finishing the tournament with both the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Awards|Golden Ball and Golden Shoe]], and an [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medal]] at the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]]. His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbler]] drew comparisons with compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], who declared the teenager his [[New Maradona|successor]]. After making his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a [[FIFA World Cup]] during the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 edition]], and reached the final of the [[2007 Copa América]], where he was named young player of the tournament. As the squad's [[Captain (association football)|captain]] from August 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]], for which he won the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]], and the [[2015 Copa América|2015]] and [[Copa América Centenario|2016 Copas América]].
{{TOClimit|4}}


==Early life==
== Early life ==
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]], 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 [[Italians|Italian]] and [[Spaniards|Spanish]] descent, the great-grandson of immigrants from [[Marche]] and [[Catalonia]], and on his mother's side, he has primarily Italian ancestry.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}} 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, [[Maxi Biancucchi|Maximiliano]] and [[Emanuel Biancucchi]], both of whom became professional footballers.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=9–10}} 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.<ref name="Magic in His Feet">{{cite news |first=John |last=Carlin |title=Lionel Messi: Magic in His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref> He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute of his grandmother.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=44–45}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Maume |title=Lionel Messi: The World at His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 July 2014 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref>


Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in [[Rosario, Santa Fe]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi {{!}} Ficha del jugador 20/21 {{!}} Delantero |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/futbol/primer-equipo/jugadores/4974/lionel-messi|access-date=1 June 2021|work=FC Barcelona|language=es}}</ref> 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 Sea|Adriatic]] [[Marche]] region of Italy, and on his mother's side, he has primarily Italian ancestry.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}} 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, [[Maxi Biancucchi|Maximiliano]] and [[Emanuel Biancucchi]], both of whom became professional footballers.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=9–10}} 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.<ref name="MagicFeet">{{Cite news|first=John |last=Carlin |title=Lionel Messi: Magic in His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705210947/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=44–45}}<ref>{{Cite news|first=Chris |last=Maume |title=Lionel Messi: The World at His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 July 2014 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive."|source=—[[Newell's Old Boys]] youth coach [[Adrián Coria]] shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=38}}}}


{{quote box|width=25%|align=left|quote="When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive."|source=– [[Newell's Old Boys]] youth coach [[Adrián Coria (football manager)|Adrián Coria]] shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=38}}}}
A lifelong supporter of [[Newell's Old Boys]], Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.<ref name="Here and Gone">{{cite web |first=Wright |last=Thompson |title=Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina |work=Outside the Lines |publisher=ESPN FC |date=22 October 2012 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=lionel-messi |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=31–35}} However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, at age 10, he was diagnosed with a [[growth hormone deficiency]]. As his father's health insurance covered only two years of [[growth hormone treatment]], which cost at least [[Argentine peso|$]]1,000 per month, Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on their promise.<ref name="The Legend of El Enano">{{cite news |first1=Jérôme |last1=Cazadieu |first2=Alexandre |last2=Juillard |first3=Frédéric |last3=Traïni |title=Leo Messi: La Légende d'El Enano |trans_title=Leo Messi: The Legend of El Enano |newspaper=L'Équipe via Irish Independent |date=15 November 2008 |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-26496103.html |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref> He was scouted by Buenos Aires club [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], whose [[playmaker]], [[Pablo Aimar]], he idolised, but they were also unable to pay for his treatment due to the country's [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|economic collapse]].<ref name="On a Mission">{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Hawkey |title=Lionel Messi on a Mission |newspaper=The Times {{subscription required}} |date=20 April 2008 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3779961.ece |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830020412/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3779961.ece |archivedate=30 August 2008 |deadurl=no |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Wilson |title=Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-retired-age-35-valencia |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref>
A lifelong supporter of [[Newell's Old Boys]], Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.<ref name="Here">{{Cite web|first=Wright |last=Thompson |title=Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina |work=ESPN |date=22 October 2012 |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=Lionel-Messi |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=31–35}} However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, aged 10, he was diagnosed with a [[growth hormone deficiency]]. As his father's health insurance covered only two years of [[growth hormone therapy]], which cost at least [[Argentine peso|$]]1,000 per month, Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on their promise.<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Jérôme |last1=Cazadieu |first2=Alexandre |last2=Juillard |first3=Frédéric |last3=Traïni |title=Leo Messi: La Légende d'El Enano |trans-title=Leo Messi: The Legend of El Enano |newspaper=L'Équipe via Irish Independent |date=15 November 2008 |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-26496103.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> He was scouted by Buenos Aires club [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], whose [[playmaker]] [[Pablo Aimar]] he idolised.<ref name="Mission">{{Cite news|first=Ian |last=Hawkey |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lionel-messi-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw |title=Lionel Messi on a Mission |work=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=20 April 2008 |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Aimar">{{Cite news|first=Paul |last=Wilson |title=Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-retired-age-35-valencia |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> It was speculated that he failed to be signed into River Plate due to his ill health, however in a 2019 interview, Messi revealed that the club had offered to pay for his medical treatment despite ultimately rejecting him.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2 June 2019 |title=Leo Messi reveló el motivo por el que no fichó por River Plate |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/02/leo-messi-revelo-el-motivo-por-el-que-no-ficho-por-river-plate |access-date=12 January 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref> His goalscoring idol growing up was Brazilian striker [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], with Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Messi: Brazil striker Ronaldo my hero |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo}}</ref>


[[File:La Masia (Can Planas) (Barcelona) - 1.jpg|thumb|left|Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, [[La Masia]], at age 13.]]
[[File:La Masia (Can Planas) (Barcelona) - 1.jpg|thumb|right|Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, [[La Masia]], aged 13.]]


As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in September 2000. First team director [[Carles Rexach|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.<ref name="On a Mission"/><ref name="How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 October 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref> In February 2001, the family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, [[Camp Nou]]. During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the ''Infantiles'' due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled to integrate into the team; already reserved by nature, he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.<ref name="Here and Gone"/><ref name="How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette"/><ref name="Boy Genius">{{cite news |first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Lionel Messi: Boy Genius |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 May 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref>
As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in September 2000. First team director [[Carles Rexach|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.<ref name="Mission" /><ref name="Serviette">{{Cite news|first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 October 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> In February 2001, the family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, [[Camp Nou]]. During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the ''Infantiles'' due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled to integrate into the team; already reserved by nature, he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.<ref name="Here" /><ref name="Serviette" /><ref name="BoyGenius">{{Cite news|first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Lionel Messi: Boy Genius |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 May 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>


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]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}} After completing his growth hormone treatment aged 14,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=149}} 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.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}}<ref name="Class of 2002">{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Fàbregas, Messi, Piqué: Class of 2002 |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref> The Copa Catalunya final, a 4–1 victory over [[RCD Espanyol|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.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=44–45}} At the close of the season, he received an offer to join [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], his first from a foreign club, but while Fàbregas and Piqué soon left for England, he chose to remain in Barcelona.<ref name="How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="The New Messiah">{{cite web |title=The New Messiah |publisher=FIFA |date=5 March 2006 |url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref>
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]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}} After completing his growth hormone therapy aged 14,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=149}} 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.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}}<ref>{{Cite news|first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Fàbregas, Messi, Piqué: Class of 2002 |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> The Copa Catalunya final, a 4–1 victory over [[RCD Espanyol|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.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=44–45}} At the close of the season, he received an offer to join [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], his first from a foreign club, but while Fàbregas and Piqué soon left for [[Premier League|England]], he chose to remain in Barcelona.<ref name="Serviette" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messiah">{{Cite web|title=The New Messiah |publisher=FIFA |date=5 March 2006 |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021172445/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2014 |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>


==Barcelona==
== Career ==
{{Lionel Messi series}}
{{Expand section|Subsections to his stins with PSG and Inter Miami should be added. Also, a section covering his international career, both youth and senior, should be added as well|date=May 2024}}
{{Main|Career of Lionel Messi}}


===2003–05: Rise to the first team===
=== Club career ===
==== Barcelona ====
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="It seemed as if he had been playing with us all his life."|source=—Barcelona's then assistant coach [[Henk Ten Cate]] on Messi's first-team debut.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=The best quotes about Lionel Messi's 10 years at Barcelona|newspaper=ESPN FC |date=16 October 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2089807/the-best-quotes-about-lionel-messis-10-years-at-barcelona}}</ref>}}
At the age of 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first-team debut as a 75th-minute substitute during a friendly against [[FC Porto|Porto]] on 16 November 2003.<ref name="Serviette"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Messi Reflects on Debut 10 Years On |work=ESPN |date=15 November 2013 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-divisi%C3%B3n/story/1616845/lionel-messi-reflects-on-dream-barcelona-debut |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Under [[Frank Rijkaard]], who promoted him to the first team in October 2004,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} he made his league debut on 16 October 2004 against [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]],<ref name="Serviette" /> and scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005 against [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]], from an assist by [[Ronaldinho]], becoming at that time the youngest-ever scorer for the club.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=35–36}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition.<ref name="LastJump">{{cite news |first=Rafael |last=Carbonell |title=El Último Salto de la 'Pulga' |trans-title=The Last Jump of the 'Flea' |newspaper=El País |date=26 October 2004 |language=es |url=http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/26/deportes/1098741604_850215.html |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Messi won the [[2004–05 La Liga|league title]] in the [[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05]],<ref name="MessiDriven">{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite |work=ESPN |date=4 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-league-greats |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> and [[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06 season]]. He won his [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|first Champions League]] trophy in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League final|2006 final]], although he was ruled out injured.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi has admitted he 'deeply regrets' missing Barcelona's Champions League final celebrations in 2006 |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/liga/2021-2022/lionel-messi-has-admitted-he-deeply-regrets-missing-barcelonas-champions-league-final-celebrations-i_sto8656843/story.shtml |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=Eurosport}}</ref> On 10 March 2007, Messi scored his first [[hat-trick]] in a ''[[El Clásico|Clásico]]'', the first player to do so in 12 years, equalising after each goal by [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] to end the match in a 3–3 draw in injury time.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=There's Something about Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> In Rijkaard's final years at the club, Barcelona finished the [[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07]], and [[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08 season]] without trophies,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline |work=ESPN |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for-barca-decline-ingla |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho Cleared for Barça Exit |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7408605.stm |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> leading to his departure. Messi was given the [[Squad number (association football)|number 10]] shirt for the [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09 season]].<ref name="MessiRonaldinho">{{cite web |title=Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number |work=FIFA |date=4 August 2008 |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328054707/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 March 2015 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> During that season, Messi, 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.<ref name="Matches 2008–09">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Lee |last=Roden |title=Are Messi, Suarez and Neymar Barcelona's Best-Ever Front Three? |publisher=ESPN |date=20 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-luis-suarez-the-clubs-best-ever |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>


[[File:Leo messi barce 2005.jpg|left|thumb|Messi (pictured in 2005) at the age of 18 playing for [[FC Barcelona]], where he played for 17 years.]]
During the [[2003–04 FC Barcelona season|2003–04 season]], his fourth with Barcelona, Messi rapidly progressed through the club's ranks, debuting for a record five teams in a single campaign. After being named player of the tournament in four international pre-season competitions with the ''Juveniles'' B, he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to the ''[[FC Barcelona Juvenil A|Juveniles A]]'', where he scored 18 goals in 11 league games.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}<ref>{{cite journal |first=Liviu |last=Bird |title=Ex-Teammate, La Masia Coach Recall Lionel Messi's Early Days, Persona |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=5 June 2015 |url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/04/lionel-messi-champions-league-final-barcelona |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> Messi was then one of several youth players called up to strengthen a depleted first team during the international break. French Winger [[Ludovic Giuly]] explained how a teenage Leo caught the eye in a training session with [[Frank Rijkaard]]'s first team: "He destroyed us all... They were kicking him all over the place to avoid being ridiculed by this kid, he just got up and kept on playing. He would dribble past four players and score a goal. Even the team's starting centre-backs were nervous. He was an alien."<ref>{{cite web |title=Giuly remembers the first time he saw Messi 'kill' his team-mates|publisher=Sport|url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/giuly-remembers-the-first-time-saw-messi-kill-his-team-mates-5378823|date=14 September 2016}}</ref> At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, he made his first team debut when he came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against [[José Mourinho]]'s [[FC Porto|Porto]] on 16 November 2003.<ref name="How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Messi Reflects on Debut 10 Years On |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 November 2013 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-divisi%C3%B3n/story/1616845/lionel-messi-reflects-on-dream-barcelona-debut |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> His performance, creating two chances and a shot on goal, impressed the technical staff, and he subsequently began training daily with the club's reserve side, [[Barcelona B]], as well as weekly with the first team.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=191–193}} After his first training session with the senior squad, Barça's new star player, [[Ronaldinho]], told his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} Ronaldinho soon befriended Messi, whom he called "little brother", which greatly eased his transition into the first team.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|p=53}}<ref name="The Last Jump of the 'Flea'">{{cite news |first=Rafael |last=Carbonell |title=El Último Salto de la 'Pulga' |trans_title=The Last Jump of the 'Flea' |newspaper=El País |date=26 October 2004 |language=Spanish |url=http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/26/deportes/1098741604_850215.html |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref>
During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain [[Pep Guardiola]], Messi played as a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]] for the first time on 2 May 2009 in a ''Clásico''. He scored twice and assisted once in a 6–2 victory, the team's greatest-ever score at Real Madrid's [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=453–459}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Six of the Best 'El Clásicos' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 December 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-best-El-Clasicos.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-best-El-Clasicos.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He played his first [[2009 Copa del Rey Final|final]] on 19 May, winning the [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 May 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Barcelona became the first club to achieve the sextuple. In addition to the Copa del Rey, Barcelona won the [[2008–09 La Liga|La Liga title]] and later won the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], [[2009 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] and [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] in the [[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|second half of 2009]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Adams |title=The Treble Club |work=[[ESPN FC]] |date=21 May 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners |access-date=26 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012747/http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners |archive-date=23 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> Messi finished as the [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#Top scorers by season|Champions League top scorer]], the youngest in the tournament's history,<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Sweeps up Goalscoring Honours |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2009 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=833286.html |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> For his efforts in 2009, Messi won the [[2009 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] award.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}} In the new year of the [[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10 season]], Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions, equaling [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]]'s club record from the [[1996–97 FC Barcelona season|1996–97 campaign]].<ref name="Matches 2009–10">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Deserve">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 May 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> He finished the season as top scorer in the [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Haslam |title=Messi Takes Scoring Plaudits |newspaper=Uefa.com |publisher=UEFA |date=22 May 2010 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1490400.html |access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref> and La Liga, winning his [[2009–10 La Liga|second consecutive league]] trophy and earned his first [[European Golden Shoe]].<ref name="Deserve" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Wilson |title=Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer |newspaper=U-T San Diego |date=30 September 2010 |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scorer/ |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> In the [[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11 campaign]], Messi won the [[2010 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Wins Supercopa for Barça |publisher=ESPN FC |date=21 August 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-wins-supercopa-for-barca |access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref> [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13576522 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> and a [[2010–11 La Liga|third consecutive La Liga title]]. Messi was the top scorer in the Champions League, for the third consecutive year,<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark |newspaper=Uefa.com |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2011 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1634951.html |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> and the league's top scorer and assist provider.<ref name="Matches 2010–11">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> He became Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer with 53 goals.<ref name="Matches 2010–11" /><ref name="Sublime">{{cite news |first1=Tony |last1=Cascarino |first2=Patrick |last2=Barclay |title=Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever? |newspaper=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3041129.ece |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>


During the [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12 season]], Messi scored 73 goals and provided 29 assists in all club competitions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=512}}<ref name="Matches 2011–12">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Lionel Messi: The Best Goalscorer Ever but Is the Barcelona Player the Greatest-Ever Footballer? |newspaper=The Independent |date=10 December 2012 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-the-best-goalscorer-ever-but-is-the-barcelona-player-the-greatestever-footballer-8398696.html |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925211000/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-the-best-goalscorer-ever-but-is-the-barcelona-player-the-greatestever-footballer-8398696.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> He began the campaign winning both the [[2011 Supercopa de España|Spanish]] and [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|European Super Cups]] trophies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid |newspaper=USA Today |date=17 August 2011 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Barcelona 2 Porto 0: Match Report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 August 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the close of the year, he won the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] and earned the [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] for a second time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Win FIFA Club World Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16234168 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> For his efforts in 2011, he received the [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners and nominees|FIFA Ballon d'Or]], becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times,<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Crowned World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 January 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi-crowned-worlds-best |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> and the inaugural [[UEFA Best Player in Europe Award]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award |publisher=UEFA |date=25 August 2011 |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/awards/news/0250-0c50f3bb01f8-2230f3d90345-1000--messi-wins-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award/ |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> During the year 2012, Messi became the second player to be top scorer in four Champions League campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour |publisher=UEFA |date=19 May 2012 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1795767.html |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> On 20 March, Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old with a hat-trick against [[Granada CF|Granada]].<ref>{{:cite news |title=Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 March 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He finished [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|the season]] as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his [[European association football club records#Most goals in a season|73 goals in all competitions]] made him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=29 October 2012 |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-barcelona-ap |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Smashes Müller's 40-Year Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 December 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-of-2012 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Guardiola resigned that season after a four-year cycle of success.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Brassell |title=Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17867892 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> A double scored on 9 December 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.<ref>{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi |work=Reuters |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E8NA1RM20121210 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> At the close of the year, Messi had scored a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina.<ref name="MostDecorated">{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 January 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Messi again won the [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners and nominees|FIFA Ballon d'Or]], becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.<ref name="MostDecorated" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile |work=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20910453 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Leo messi barce 2005.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Messi against [[Málaga CF|Málaga]] in 2005]]


{{clear}}
To gain further match experience, Messi joined [[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]] in addition to the ''Juveniles'' A, playing his first game for the third team on 29 November. He helped save them from the relegation zone of the [[Tercera División]], scoring five goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in eight minutes during a Copa del Rey match while man-marked by [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]'s [[Sergio Ramos]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=183–185}} 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&nbsp;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&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}} He played five games with the B team that season but did not score.<ref name="Matches 2003–04">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04 |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> Physically he was weaker than his opponents, who were often much older and taller, and in training he worked on increasing his muscle mass and overall strength in order to be able to shake off defenders. Towards the end of the season, he returned to both youth teams, helping the ''Juveniles'' B win the league. He finished the campaign having scored for four of his five teams with a total of 36 goals in all official competitions.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=183–185}}


==== Paris Saint-Germain ====
During the [[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05 season]], Messi was a guaranteed starter for the B team, playing 17 games throughout the campaign and scoring on six occasions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}}<ref name="Matches 2004–05">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2004-05 |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> Since his debut the previous November, he had not been called up to the first team again, but in October 2004, the senior players asked manager Frank Rijkaard to promote him.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} Since Ronaldinho already played on the left wing, Rijkaard moved Messi from his usual position onto the right flank (though initially against the player's wishes), allowing him to cut into the centre of the pitch and shoot with his dominant left foot.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=35–36}}<ref name="Lionel Messi (FT Magazine)">{{cite journal |first=Ronald |last=Reng |title=Lionel Messi |journal=FT Magazine |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0.html |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> Messi made his league debut during the next match on 16 October, against Espanyol, coming on in the 82nd minute.<ref name="How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette"/> At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition.<ref name="The Last Jump of the 'Flea'"/> As a substitute player, he played only 77 minutes in nine matches for the first team that season, including his debut in the [[UEFA Champions League]] against [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]].<ref name="Matches 2004–05"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Mitten |title=Who Knew on His 2004 Debut That Lionel Messi Would Go so Far at Barcelona |newspaper=The National |date=16 October 2014 |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/who-knew-on-his-2004-debut-that-lionel-messi-would-go-so-far-at-barcelona |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> He scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005, against [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]], from an assist by Ronaldinho, becoming – at that time – the youngest-ever scorer for the club.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=35–36}}<ref name="All the Qualities to Take World by Storm">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> Barcelona, in their second season under Rijkaard, [[2004–05 La Liga|won the league]] for the first time in six years.<ref name="Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite">{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite |publisher=ESPN FC |date=4 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-league-greats |accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref>
{{Empty section|date=July 2024}}


==== Inter Miami ====
===2005–08: Making the starting eleven===
{{Empty section|date=July 2024}}
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="In my entire life I have never seen a player of such quality and personality at such a young age, particularly wearing the 'heavy' shirt of one of the world's great clubs."|source=—[[Fabio Capello]] praises the 18-year-old Messi following the [[Joan Gamper trophy]] in August 2005.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=264–265}}}}


=== International career ===
On 24 June 2005, his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player. It made him a Barcelona player until 2010, two years less than his previous contract, but his buyout clause increased to €150&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}} His breakthrough came two months later, on 24 August, during the [[Joan Gamper Trophy]], Barcelona's pre-season competition. A starter for the first time, he gave a well-received performance against [[Fabio Capello]]'s [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]], receiving an ovation from the Camp Nou.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=264–265}} While Capello requested to loan Messi, a bid to buy him came from [[Inter Milan]], who were willing to pay his buyout clause and triple his wages. According to then-president [[Joan Laporta]], it was the only time the club faced a real risk of losing Messi, but he ultimately decided to stay.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=272–276}} On 16 September, his contract was updated for the second time in three months and extended to 2014.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}}<ref name="Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014">{{cite web |title=Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC |date=17 September 2005 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/342857 |accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref>
{{Empty section|date=July 2024}}


== Player profile ==
[[File:Lionel Messi Barca training.jpg|thumb|Messi during a training session with Barça in August 2006]]
=== Style of play ===
[[File:Argentina team in St. Petersburg (cropped) Messi.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|A versatile forward, Messi often plays as a classic [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|number 10]].]]


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;<ref name="GoldenYell">{{Cite news|first=Cordt |last=Schnibben |title=The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era |work=Der Spiegel |date=6 June 2012 |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-837019.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="FiveReasons">{{Cite news|first=Karl |last=Ritter |title=Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZWenjqJ/story.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> this has led the Spanish media to dub him '''''La Pulga Atómica''''' ("The Atomic Flea").<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, goals for 2010 |publisher=Mundo Deportivo (Spanish) |date=7 December 2009 |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938612.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi becomes the 'Atomic Flea' |publisher=Goal |date=20 September 2012 |url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-at%C3%B3mica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, The Atomic Flea who became the best in the world |publisher=AS (Spanish) |date=28 January 2016 |url=http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colombia/1453936234_817270.html}}</ref> 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 (association football)|diving]] in a sport rife with playacting.<ref name="Here" /><ref name="FiveReasons" /><ref name="MakingCase">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Kevin |last=Garside |date=29 March 2010 |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 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#Association football|dribbling]] at speed.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lucas |last=Brown |title=Lionel Messi – the New Maradona? |publisher=UEFA |date=30 September 2005 |url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=347644.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it."<ref name="FTMag">{{cite news |first=Ronald |last=Reng |title=Lionel Messi |magazine=FT Magazine |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630163752/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 July 2015 }}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=553}}<ref name="Control">{{Cite news|first=Fabio |last=Monti |title=Controllo, Corsa, Tocco di Palla: Perché nel Calcio Piccolo è Bello |trans-title=Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |language=it |date=8 April 2010 |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
Due to issues regarding his legal status in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Messi missed the start of [[La Liga]], but on 26 September, he acquired Spanish citizenship and became eligible to play.<ref name="Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014"/>{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=91}} Wearing the number 19 shirt, he gradually established himself as the first-choice right winger, forming an attacking trio with Ronaldinho and striker [[Samuel Eto'o]].<ref name="The New Messiah"/>{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}}<ref name="Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number">{{cite web |title=Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number |publisher=FIFA |date=4 August 2008 |url=http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html |accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref> He was in the starting line-up in major matches like his first ''[[El Clásico|Clásico]]'' against rivals [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] on 19 November, as well as Barcelona's away victory over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#Chelsea v Barcelona|last 16 round of the Champions League]], where he played his best match to that point.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=279–284}}{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}} After he had scored 8 goals in 25 games, including his first in the Champions League,<ref name="Matches 2005–06">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2005-06 |accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref> his season ended prematurely during the return leg against Chelsea on 7 March 2006, when he suffered a torn hamstring. Messi worked to regain fitness in time for the Champions League [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|final]], but on 17 May, the day of the final, he was eventually ruled out. He was so disappointed that he did not celebrate his team's victory over Arsenal in [[Paris]], something he later came to regret.<ref name="Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite"/>{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}}


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 [[Playmaker|playmaking]] role, courtesy of his vision and range of passing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever |title=Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever |work=The Sportster |date=4 July 2015|access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref> He has often been described as a magician; a conjurer, creating goals and opportunities where seemingly none exist.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 January 2020 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, goals, records, highlights, Juventus, hat trick, statistics, best stats, age, break down |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goals-highlights-juventus-hat-trick-statistics-age-break-down/news-story/705ff21fcd63e4e372bb62d9f7c3e00a|access-date=10 August 2020 |work=Fox Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=As Lionel Messi turns 32, a fan ruminates on the ambivalent legacy of the football wizard |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/as-lionel-messi-turns-32-a-fan-ruminates-on-the-ambivalent-legacy-of-the-football-wizard/cid/1693021|access-date=10 August 2020 |work=Telegraph India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=27 July 2008 |title=Lionel Messi steals the show for Barcelona at Dundee United |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Barcelona-at-Dundee-United.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Barcelona-at-Dundee-United.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 August 2020 |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Moreover, he is an accurate [[Direct free kick|free kick]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] taker.<ref name="FiveReasons" /><ref name="SixReasons">{{cite web |first=Francesc |last=Tomas |title=Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> As of September 2023, Messi ranks fifth all time in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Most goals via free-kicks in football history |url=https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick-goals-football-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo |access-date=25 August 2023 |work=Sports Adda |date=7 August 2023}}</ref> the most among active players.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Copeland |first=Robbie |title=Lionel Messi becomes top free-kick scorer among active players |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/lionel-messi-top-free-kick-scorer-active-players-cristiano-ronaldo-copa-america |access-date=3 August 2021 |work=90min.com |date=4 July 2021}}</ref> He also has a penchant for scoring from [[Chip (association football)|chips]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/02/22/58adac0ae5fdea9b038b45d2.html |title=The art of the chip: Falcao matches Totti, Messi and Raul |publisher=Marca |last=del Río |first=Joel |date=22 February 2017 |access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref>
While Barcelona began a gradual decline, the 19-year-old Messi established himself as one of the best players in the world during the [[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07 campaign]].<ref name="Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline">{{cite web |title=Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for-barca-decline-ingla |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi: I'm Not the Best">{{cite web |title=Messi: I'm Not the Best |publisher=FIFA |date=31 May 2007 |url=http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> Already an idol to the ''[[Supporters of FC Barcelona|culés]]'', the club's supporters, he scored 17 goals <!--{{Citation needed span|text=and provided X assists}}--> in 36 games across all competitions.<ref name="Messi: I'm Not the Best"/><ref name="Matches 2006–07">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2006-07 |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> However, he continued to be plagued by major injuries; a metatarsal fracture sustained on 12 November 2006 kept him out of action for three months.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Needs Surgery on Broken Foot |publisher=CNN |date=13 November 2006 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/11/13/spain.messi/index.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi Closing in on Remarkable Record">{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=Messi Closing in on Remarkable Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 October 2011 |url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/hunter_graham/id/7117763/lionel-messi-closing-barcelona-all-time-scoring-record-graham-hunter-soccer |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> He recovered in time for the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#First knockout round|last 16 round]] of the Champions League against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], but was effectively marked out of the game; Barcelona, the reigning champions, were out of the competition.{{sfn|Tomkins|2007|pp=130–132}} [[2006–07 La Liga|In the league]], his goal contribution increased towards the end of the season; 11 of his 14 goals came from the last 13 games.<ref name="Matches 2006–07"/> On 10 March 2007, he scored his first hat-trick in a ''Clásico'', the first player to do so in 12 years, equalising after each goal by Real Madrid to end the match in a 3–3 draw in [[extra time]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=There's Something about Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1 |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> His growing importance to the club was reflected in a new contract, signed that month, which greatly increased his wages.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=302}}


[[File:Lionel Messi goal 19abr2007.jpg|thumb|left|Messi makes his [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#The Goal of the Century|Maradona-esque]] run against [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] in April 2007.]]
[[File:Lionel Messi Player of the Year, 2011.jpg|thumb|left|Messi is known to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate attacking plays, and create goal-scoring opportunities.]]


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.<ref name="MakingCase" /><ref name="SixReasons" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22iht-edcohen.html |title=The Loose Vuvuzela |work=The New York Times |last=Cohen |first=Roger |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> Widely considered to be the best dribbler in the world,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6 |title=Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend |work=Business Insider |first=Scott |last=Davis |date=6 June 2015 |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> and one of the greatest dribblers of all time,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich |title=Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical rules |work=The Guardian |first=Barney |last=Ronay |date=7 May 2015 |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Control" /> Beyond his individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative combinations, in particular with former Barcelona midfielders [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]].<ref name="GoldenYell" /><ref name="FiveReasons" />
Already frequently compared to compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], Messi proved their similarity when he nearly replicated Maradona's two most famous goals in the span of three weeks.<ref name="Maradona Hails His Successor">{{cite news |first=Christopher |last=Davies |title=Maradona Hails His Successor |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 February 2006 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> During a [[Copa del Rey]] semi-final against [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] on 18 April, he scored a goal remarkably similar to Maradona's goal in the quarter-finals of the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]], known as the [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#The Goal of the Century|Goal of the Century]]. Messi collected the ball on the right side near the halfway line, ran {{convert|60|m|ft}}, and beat five defenders before scoring with an angled finish, just as Maradona had done.<ref name="On a Mission"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=The Greatest Goal Ever? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 April 2007 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2311407/The-greatest-goal-ever.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> A league match against Espanyol on 9 June saw him score by launching himself at the ball and guiding it past the goalkeeper with his hand in similar fashion to Maradona's [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#.22Hand of God.22 goal|Hand of God goal]] in the same World Cup match.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Mitten |title=Hand of Messi Saves Barcelona |newspaper=The Times {{subscription required}} |date=10 June 2007 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1910271.ece |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013021540/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1910271.ece |archivedate=13 October 2008 |deadurl=no |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> As Messi continued his individual rise, Barcelona faltered; the team failed to reach the Copa del Rey final after Messi was rested during the second leg against Getafe and lost the league to Real Madrid on head-to-head results.<ref>{{cite news |title='Dónde Está Messi? Ahora Dónde Está Messi?' |trans_title='Where Is Messi? Where Is Messi Now?' |newspaper=El Mundo |date=11 May 2007 |language=Spanish |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2007/05/10/futbol/1178831803.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Beckham Bows out with Liga Title |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6759697.stm |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref>


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 [[Association football positions#Winger|left-winger]] or [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|left-sided forward]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=155–156, 405–406}} 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 (football)|curl]] shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly [[Cross (football)|cross]] balls for teammates.<ref name="FTMag" /> Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]] role; positioned as a [[Forward (association football)#Centre-forward|centre-forward]] or lone [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]], he would roam the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.<ref name="BoyGenius" /> 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,<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=West |title=Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble |work=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31956028 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-luis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-become/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-luis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-become/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=How Luis Suarez moved Lionel Messi onto Barcelona's wing and became the best centre-forward on the planet |newspaper=The Telegraph |first=Alistair |last=Tweedale |date=21 May 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> while he was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free playmaking role in later seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html |title=In focus: Messi's changing role |publisher=UEFA |first=Richard |last=Martin |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=8 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="improvement">{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11105832/barcelona8217s-improvement-under-ernesto-valverde-examined |title=Barcelona's improvement under Ernesto Valverde examined |publisher=Sky Sports |first1=Guillem |last1=Balagué |author-link1=Guillem Balagué |first2=Nick |last2=Wright |first3=Adam |last3=Smith |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/en/news/barcelona-top-scorer-lionel-messi-explains-how-has-role-has-developed-under-valverde/1019375#bEStu6B25LqTkjvv.97 |title=Barcelona top-scorer Lionel Messi explains how has role has developed under Valverde |work=Squawka |first=Cady |last=Siregar |date=7 March 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> or even on the right wing<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/en/news/dembele-is-going-nowhere-five-things-learned-from-barcelonas-super-cup-win-v-sevilla/1053044 |title=Dembele is going nowhere: Five things learned from Barcelona's Super Cup win v Sevilla |work=Squawka |first=Muhammad |last=Butt |date=12 August 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> or as a false nine,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/08/21/599a9d8de5fdeae2358b457b.html |title=Valverde returns Messi to the False 9 role |newspaper=Marca |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/09/11/59b650a3e2704e62408b4611.html |title=Valverde recycles Messi |newspaper=Marca |first=Sergi |last=Sanz |date=11 November 2017 |access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> he was also used in a more offensive, central role in a 4–2–3–1,<ref name="improvement" /> 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 Suárez.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/news/1461884 |title=3 ways Barcelona could line up with Coutinho |work=The Score |first=Michael J. |last=Chandler |date=6 January 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dissected-how-the-new-barca-play-and-where-theres-hope-for-chelsea-rpwl0wbn5 |title=Dissected: How the new Barcelona play – and why there's hope for Chelsea |newspaper=The Times |first=Tom |last=Clarke |date=19 February 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref>
After Ronaldinho lost form, Messi became Barça's new star player at only 20 years old, receiving the nickname "Messiah" from the Spanish media.<ref name="On a Mission"/><ref name="Ronaldinho Misses Barcelona's Big Night Out">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Ronaldinho Misses Barcelona's Big Night Out |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 September 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/24/europeanfootball.barcelona |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Nou Sensation">{{cite news |first=John |last=Carlin |title=Nou Sensation |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 February 2008 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/feb/03/newsstory.barcelona |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> His efforts in 2007 also earned him award recognition; journalists voted him the [[Ballon d'Or 2007|third-best player of the year]] for the [[Ballon d'Or]], behind [[Kaká]] and runner-up [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], while international managers and national team captains voted him [[2007 FIFA World Player of the Year|second]] for the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, again behind Kaká.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaka Named FIFA World Player of the Year |publisher=ESPN FC |date=17 December 2007 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/491815/kaka-named-fifa-world-player-of-the-year |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> Although he managed to score 16 goals <!--{{Citation needed span|text=and provide 13 assists}}--> during the [[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08 campaign]],<ref name="Matches 2007–08">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2007–08 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2007-08 |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> the second half of his season was again marred by injuries after he suffered a torn hamstring on 15 December.<ref name="Lionel Messi Sidelined for Six Weeks">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Bright |title=Lionel Messi Sidelined for Six Weeks |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 March 2008 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2293647/Lionel-Messi-sidelined-for-six-weeks.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> He returned to score twice in their away victory against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in the last 16 round of the Champions League, becoming the competition's top scorer at that point with six goals,<ref>{{cite web |first=Alex |last=O'Henley |title=Two for Messi as Barça See off Celtic |publisher=UEFA |date=21 February 2008 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2008/matches/round=15106/match=301887/postmatch/report/index.html |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref> but reinjured himself during the return leg on 4 March 2008. Rijkaard had fielded him despite warning from the medical staff, leading captain [[Carles Puyol]] to criticise the Spanish media for pressuring Messi to play every match.<ref name="Lionel Messi Sidelined for Six Weeks"/> Barcelona finished the season without trophies, [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#Semi-finals|eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals]] by the eventual champions, [[Manchester United]], and [[2007–08 La Liga|placed third in the league]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho Cleared for Barça Exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7408605.stm |accessdate=21 July 2015}}</ref>


[[File:Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 04 crop.jpg|thumb|Messi prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup final]].]]
After two unsuccessful seasons, Barcelona were in need of an overhaul, leading to the departure of Rijkaard and Ronaldinho. Upon the latter's departure, Messi was given the [[Squad number (association football)|number 10]] shirt.<ref name="Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number"/> He signed a new contract in July 2008 on an annual salary of €7.8&nbsp;million, becoming the club's highest-paid player.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}}<ref name="Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star">{{cite news |first=Keyvan Antonio |last=Heydari |title=Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 May 2009 |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/messi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0 |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> Ahead of the new season, a major concern remained his frequent muscular injuries, which had left him side-lined for a total of eight months between 2006 and 2008. To combat the problem, the club implemented new training, nutrition, and lifestyle regimens, and assigned him a personal physiotherapist, who would travel with him during call-ups for the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]]. As a result, Messi remained virtually injury-free during the next four years, allowing him to reach his full potential.<ref name="Messi Closing in on Remarkable Record"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Barnett |title=Lionel Messi: A Rare Talent |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 December 2009 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-a-rare-talent-1831871.html |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> Despite his injuries early in the year, his performances in 2008 saw him again voted runner-up for the [[Ballon d'Or 2008|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2008 FIFA World Player of the Year#Results|FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, both times behind Cristiano Ronaldo.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |title=Ronaldo Adds Fifa World Player of the Year to List of Accolades |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 January 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jan/12/manchesterunited-ronaldo |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref>


As his career advanced, and his tendency to dribble diminished slightly with age, Messi began to dictate play in [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker (Strolling 10)|deeper areas of the pitch]] and developed into one of the best passers and playmakers in football history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102044651/https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/ |archive-date=2 November 2022 |title=Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever |work=the Sportster|date=4 July 2015 |access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no2-lionel-messi |title=FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.2, Lionel Messi |work=FourFourTwo |first=Thore |last=Haugstad |date=28 July 2017 |access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/la-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-real-madrid-star/ |title=Lionel Messi misses out on World's best Playmaker 2018 title, finishes second to Real Madrid star |work=Fox Sports Asia |first=Aditya |last=Rangarajan |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208211629/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/la-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-real-madrid-star/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468661/how-messi-went-from-injury-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man |title=How Messi went from injury-prone teenager to bionic man |website=[[Goal (website)|Goal]] |publisher=Footballco |last=Hayward |first=Ben |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707062037/https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468661/how-messi-went-from-injury-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man/ |archive-date=7 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> With the Argentina national team, Messi has similarly played anywhere along the frontline; under various managers, he has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, as an out-and-out striker, in a supporting role alongside another forward, or in a deeper, free creative role as a classic number 10 playmaker or [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] behind the strikers.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Cox |title=Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role |publisher=ESPN FC |date=13 November 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/argentina-copa-america-lionel-messi-tactics |title=Argentina's great tactical dilemma: where should Lionel Messi play? |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Martin |last=Mazur |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref>
===2009–11: Sustained success===


=== Reception and comparisons to Diego Maradona ===
In his first uninterrupted campaign, the [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09 season]], he scored 38 goals <!--{{Citation needed span|text=and provided X assists}}--> in 51 games, contributing alongside Eto'o and winger [[Thierry Henry]] to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club.<ref name="Matches 2008–09">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Lee |last=Roden |title=Are Messi, Suarez and Neymar Barcelona's Best-Ever Front Three? |publisher=ESPN FC |date=20 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-luis-suarez-the-clubs-best-ever |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref>
{{Main|New Maradona}}
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi."|source=– [[Diego Maradona]] hailing the 18-year-old Messi as his [[New Maradona|successor]] in February 2006<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maradona: Messi is my successor |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2368179/maradona-messi-is-my-successor |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=3 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503224443/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2368179/maradona-messi-is-my-successor |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Christopher |last=Davies |title=Maradona Hails His Successor |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 July 2015}}{{cbignore}} {{Subscription required|date=November 2021}}</ref>}}


A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi: I'm Not the Best |publisher=FIFA |date=31 May 2007 |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924214113/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> Diego Maradona considered the 18-year-old Messi the best player in the world alongside [[Ronaldinho]], while the Brazilian himself, shortly after winning the [[2005 Ballon d'Or]], commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça", in reference to his protégé.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Maradona Hails Messi as Successor |work=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Ball |title=Britain v Spain (Sort Of) |publisher=ESPN FC |date=23 February 2006 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Four years later, after Messi had won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}} 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.<ref name="MagicFeet" /><ref name="MakingCase" /><ref>{{Cite news|first=Phil |last=Minshull |title=Is Messi the Greatest Ever? |work=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshull/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> An early proponent was his then-manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, declared Messi to be the best player he had ever seen.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Veré Jamás |trans-title=Messi Is the Best Player I Have Ever Seen |newspaper=El Mundo |language=es |date=29 August 2009 |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/08/29/futbol/1251499664.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players,<ref name="Sublime"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 May 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and 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.<ref name="Telegraph 2016">{{Cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Magical Messi Grabs Hat-trick in Copa America as Argentina Romp into Quarters |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=11 June 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All? |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 May 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-of-them-all-10287066.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-of-them-all-10287066.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> He initially received several dismissals by critics, based on the fact that he had not won an international trophy at senior level with Argentina,<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Cairns |title=How Does Lionel Messi Stack up against Football Legends? |publisher=BBC Newsbeat |date=8 January 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/20943498/how-does-lionel-messi-stack-up-against-football-legends |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> until he won his first at the [[2021 Copa América]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lionel Messi y el título de Argentina en la Copa América 2021: "Necesitaba sacarme la espina |work=ESPN Argentina |date=10 July 2021 |url=https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/copa-america/nota/_/id/8894609/lionel-messi-leo-la-pulga-argentina-brasil-final-copa-america-2021-campeon-declaraciones |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
[[File:039 men at work UEFA 2009, Rome.jpg|thumb|Messi in the [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in May 2009.]]


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During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain [[Pep Guardiola]], Messi played mainly on the right wing, like he had under Rijkaard, though this time as a false winger with the freedom to cut inside and roam the centre. During the ''Clásico'' on 2 May 2009, however, he played for the first time as a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]], positioned as a centre-forward but dropping deep into midfield to link up with [[Xavi]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]]. He assisted with a [[Chip (association football)|chip]] his side's first goal and scored twice to end the match in an emphatic 6–2 victory, the team's greatest-ever score at Real Madrid's [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=453–459}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Six of the Best 'El Clásicos' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 December 2011 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-best-El-Clasicos.html |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> Returning to the wing, he played his first final since breaking into the first team on 13 May, scoring once and assisting a second goal as Barcelona defeated [[Athletic Bilbao]] [[2009 Copa del Rey Final|4–1]] to win the Copa del Rey.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 May 2009 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> With 23 league goals from Messi that season, Barcelona became [[2008–09 La Liga|La Liga champions]] three days later and achieved its fifth [[Double (association football)|double]].<ref name="Matches 2008–09"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona's Title Celebrations Marred by Violence |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 May 2009 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5338604/Barcelonas-title-celebrations-marred-by-violence.html |accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref>
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| caption1 = Argentina fans with Messi and Maradona banners at the [[2018 World Cup]] in Russia
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| caption2 = The ''[[Sistine Chapel of Football]]'' painting (Messi to the left, Maradona to the right), on the ceiling of a sports club, Sportivo Pereyra, in [[Barracas, Buenos Aires]]
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Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his late compatriot Maradona, due to their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed dribblers. Initially, he was merely one of many young Argentine players, including his boyhood idol [[Pablo Aimar]], to receive the "[[New Maradona]]" moniker, but as his career progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing himself as the greatest player Argentina had produced since Maradona.<ref name="Aimar" />{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} [[Jorge Valdano]], who won the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] alongside Maradona, said in October 2013, "Messi is Maradona every day. For the last five years, Messi has been the Maradona of the World Cup in Mexico."<ref>{{cite web |title=Valdano: 'Messi Es Maradona Todos Los Días' |trans-title=Valdano: 'Messi Is Maradona Every Day' |publisher=FIFA |language=es |date=7 October 2013 |url=http://es.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/219/194/9/index.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908015149/http://es.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/219/194/9/index.html |archive-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> [[César Menotti]], who as manager orchestrated their [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978 World Cup]] victory, echoed this sentiment when he opined that Messi plays "at the level of the best Maradona".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Menotti: 'Messi Está al Nivel del Mejor Maradona Que Vi' |trans-title=Menotti: 'Messi Is at the Level of the Best Maradona That I Saw' |newspaper=AS |language=es |date=10 January 2014 |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/01/10/primera/1389359391_638487.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Other notable Argentines in the sport, such as [[Osvaldo Ardiles]], [[Javier Zanetti]], and [[Diego Simeone]], have expressed their belief that Messi has overtaken Maradona as the best player in history.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=7–8}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Brennan |title=Face to Face: Javier Zanetti |work=World Soccer |date=12 August 2013 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/face-to-face-javier-zanetti-341916 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Sin Dudas, Messi Es Mejor que Maradona |trans-title=Without Doubt, Messi Is Better than Maradona |newspaper=Clarín |date=31 December 2012 |language=es |url=http://www.clarin.com/deportes/dudas-Messi-mejor-Maradona_0_838716136.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>


In Argentine society, prior to 2019, Messi was generally held in lesser esteem than Maradona, a consequence of not only his perceived uneven performances with the national team, but also of differences in class, personality, and background. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football.<ref name="Burden">{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Himmelman |title=The Burden of Being Messi |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 June 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Adept? Yes. Adored? Not Yet. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Marcela |last=Mora y Araujo |title=Lionel Messi Is Not the New Maradona – He Can Be Better than That |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-argentina-barcelona |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> An enduring mark against him is the fact that, through no fault of his own, he never proved himself in the [[Argentine Primera División]] as an upcoming player, achieving stardom overseas from a young age,<ref name="Here" /><ref name="Burden" /> while his lack of outward passion for the ''Albiceleste'' shirt (until 2019 he did not sing the national anthem and is disinclined to emotional displays) have in the past led to the false perception that he felt Catalan rather than truly Argentine.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}} Football journalist [[Tim Vickery]] states the view among Argentines is that Messi "was always seen as more [[Catalonia|Catalan]] than one of them".<ref name="Vickery" /> Despite having lived in Spain since age 13, Messi rejected the option of representing [[Spain national football team|Spain]] internationally. He has said: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lionel Messi Vomits Because of Nerves, Says Argentina's Alejandro Sabella |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 June 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Moreover, several pundits and footballing figures, including Maradona, questioned Messi's leadership with Argentina at times, despite his playing ability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/2889220/diego-maradona-says-lionel-messi-lacks-leadership-to-carry-a-team?src=com |title=Diego Maradona: Lionel Messi lacks the leadership needed to carry a team |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 June 2016 |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Tilghman |title=Maradona vs. Messi: A Laughable Comparison |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/508097-maradona-vs-messi-a-laughable-comparison?search_query=John%20Tilghman |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=1 May 2019 |date=4 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46279184 |title=Lionel Messi: Is Barcelona forward really cut out for captaincy? |work=BBC Sport |first=Andy |last=West |date=22 November 2018 |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> Vickery states the perception of Messi among Argentines changed in 2019, with Messi making a conscious effort to become "more one of the group, more Argentine", with Vickery adding that following the World Cup victory in 2022 Messi would now be held in the same esteem by his compatriots as Maradona.<ref name="Vickery">{{Cite news|title=Tim Vickery: Lionel Messi can now be recognised alongside Diego Maradona by Argentinians |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12771189/tim-vickery-lionel-messi-can-now-be-recognised-alongside-diego-maradona-by-argentinians |access-date=20 December 2022 |work=Sky Sports}}</ref>
As the season's [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#Top scorers by seasons|Champions League top scorer]] with nine goals, the youngest in the tournament's history,<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Sweeps up Goalscoring Honours |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2009 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=833286.html |accessdate=26 July 2015}}</ref> Messi scored two goals and assisted two more to ensure a 4–0 quarter-final victory over [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=453–459}} He returned as a false nine during the [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] on 27 May in [[Rome]] against Manchester United. Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe by winning the match 2–0, the second goal coming from a Messi header over goalkeeper [[Edwin van der Sar]]. Barcelona thus achieved the first [[Treble (association football)|treble]] in the history of Spanish football.<ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 2–0 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8060878.stm |accessdate=26 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Seery |title=Barcelona Eclipse Dream Team with Historic Treble |publisher=Agence France-Presse |date=31 May 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gWWxxsWEy4ekZn5IvfAjneYuubSQ?docId=CNG.8b0cf6a3d9ffa4d3336f8d5f0d70f669.3e1&index=0 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025232659/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gWWxxsWEy4ekZn5IvfAjneYuubSQ?docId=CNG.8b0cf6a3d9ffa4d3336f8d5f0d70f669.3e1&index=0 |archivedate=25 October 2012 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> This success was reflected in a new contract, signed on 18 September, which committed Messi to the club through 2016 with a new buyout clause of €250&nbsp;million, while his salary increased to €12&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}} His team's prosperity continued into the second half of 2009, as Barcelona became the first club to achieve the sextuple, winning six top-tier trophies in a single year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Adams |title=The Treble Club |publisher=ESPN FC |date=21 May 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners |accessdate=26 July 2015}}</ref> After victories in the [[2009 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]] and [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] in August, Barcelona won the [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup Final|FIFA Club World Cup]] against [[Estudiantes de La Plata]] on 19 December, with Messi scoring the winning 2–1 goal with his chest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm |accessdate=26 July 2015}}</ref> At 22 years old, Messi won the [[Ballon d'Or 2009|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, both times by the greatest voting margin in each trophy's history.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}


=== Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo ===
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="Messi is the best player in the world by some distance. He's like a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make."|source=—[[Arsène Wenger]] commends Messi for his four–goal display against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in April 2010.<ref>{{cite news |first=Keith |last=Stuart |title=Is the Real Lionel Messi Better than the Virtual One? |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 April 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/07/lionel-messi |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref>}}
{{Main|Messi–Ronaldo rivalry}}
[[File:Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - Portugal vs Argentina, 9th February 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi has been compared with [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] (left) throughout much of their careers.]]


Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Portuguese forward [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], as part of an [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|ongoing rivalry]] that has been compared to [[List of sports rivalries|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 rivalry|Federer–Nadal]] and [[Borg–McEnroe rivalry|Borg–McEnroe]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Graham |url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi |title=The game's best rivalry |date=28 November 2010 |access-date=30 September 2014 |work=ESPN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006150207/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi |archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi v Ronaldo |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 October 2011 |url=http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105413/http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article3637725.ece |title=The Special Two |date=21 December 2012 |access-date=13 October 2014 |work=The Times |url-access=subscription |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626225332/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article3637725.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>
Unsatisfied with his position on the right wing, Messi resumed playing as a false nine in early 2010, beginning with a Champions League last 16-round match against [[VfB Stuttgart]]. After a first-leg draw, Barcelona won the second leg 4–0 with two goals and an assist from Messi. At that point, he effectively became the tactical focal point of Guardiola's team, and his goalscoring rate increased.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=476–478}} <!--{{Citation needed span|text=In addition to 11 assists,}}--> Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions [[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|that season]], equaling [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]]'s club record from the 1996–97 campaign.<ref name="Matches 2009–10">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 May 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> He notably scored all of his side's four goals in the Champions League quarter-final against [[Arsène Wenger]]'s Arsenal on 6 April while becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in the competition.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi the Sixth Player to Score Four Times in Champions League Tie |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 April 2010 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/7562893/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-the-sixth-player-to-score-four-times-in-Champions-League-tie.html |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title='Mythical, Universal, the Lord's Anointed One' – Spain Hails Leo Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 April 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/apr/07/lionel-messi-spanish-press-reaction |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> Although Barcelona were eliminated in the Champions League [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|semi-finals]] by the eventual champions, Inter Milan, Messi finished the season as top scorer (with 8 goals) for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Haslam |title=Messi Takes Scoring Plaudits |publisher=UEFA |date=22 May 2010 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1490400.html |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref> As the league's top scorer with 34 goals (again tying Ronaldo's record), he helped Barcelona win a [[2009–10 La Liga|second consecutive La Liga]] trophy with only a single defeat.<ref name="La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Wilson |title=Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=30 September 2010 |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scorer/ |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref>


Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Blames Media for Inventing Rivalry with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=15 August 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Snowball |title=Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not My Rival |publisher=Eurosport |date=11 June 2015 |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world.<ref name="Overtaken">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=West |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi? |work=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26651301 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> Since 2008, Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ballons d'Or winners list |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=The Telegraph |date=2 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> eight FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six [[European Golden Shoe]]s to Ronaldo's four.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sorin |last1=Arotaritei |first2=Roberto |last2=Di Maggio |first3=Karel |last3=Stokkermans |title=Golden Boot (Soulier d'Or) Awards |website=[[RSSSF]] |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Pundits and fans regularly argue the individual merits of both players.<ref name="Overtaken" /><ref>{{Cite news|first=Chris |last=Mendes |title=World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo's Personal Duel with Lionel Messi Is Affecting His Performances for Portugal |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 June 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques – Ronaldo is {{height|m=1.87}} with a muscular build – and contrasting public personalities with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics a foil to Messi's humility.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=Ronaldo May Look Like the Best, but There Is Someone Better |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 September 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Pedro |last1=Pinto |first2=James |last2=Montague |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/football/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/ |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm Better than Messi |publisher=CNN |date=29 May 2012 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Tim |last=Lewis |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 November 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-portugal-football |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="50million" /> Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.<ref name="50million">{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Reaches $50 Million-A-Year Deal With Barcelona |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-year-deal-with-barcelona/ |work=Forbes |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
[[File:FC Barcelona Team 2, 2011.jpg|thumb|left|Messi (centre) and his teammates celebrate winning the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]] in December 2011.]]


After Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, a number of football critics, commentators, and players have opined that Messi has settled the debate between the two players.{{efn-ua|Citations:<ref>{{cite web |last=Usry |first=Rob |date=18 December 2022 |title=Lionel Messi puts the GOAT debate to rest with storybook World Cup win |url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2022/12/18/23515312/lionel-messi-world-cup-who-is-soccer-football-goat-argentina |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=SBNation.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Doug |date=18 December 2022 |title=Lionel Messi Cements His Goat Status With A Little Help From His Friends|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-cements-his-goat-status-with-a-little-help-from-his-friends|access-date=20 January 2023|website=Fox Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sharland |first=Pete |date=18 December 2022 |title=World Cup 2022 Final: Win Or Lose, Argentina Star Lionel Messi Has Settled The Goat Debate Forever |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/world-cup-2022-final-win-or-lose-argentina-star-lionel-messi-has-settled-the-goat-debate-forever_sto9275487/story.shtml|access-date=19 January 2023 |website=ESPN }}</ref>}}
Messi secured Barcelona's first trophy of the [[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11 campaign]], the Supercopa de España, by scoring a hat-trick in his side's second-leg [[2010 Supercopa de España|4–0]] victory over Sevilla, after a first-leg defeat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Wins Supercopa for Barça |publisher=ESPN FC |date=21 August 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-wins-supercopa-for-barca |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref> Assuming a playmaking role, he was again instrumental in a ''Clásico'' on 29 November 2010, the first with [[José Mourinho]] in charge of Real Madrid, as Barcelona defeated their rivals 5–0.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=David Villa Strikes Twice as Slick Barcelona Thrash Real Madrid |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 November 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/29/barcelona-real-madrid-la-liga |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> Messi helped the team achieve 16 consecutive league victories, a record in Spanish football, concluding with another hat-trick against [[Atlético Madrid]] on 5 February 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Stars as Barcelona Seal Record League Win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 February 2011 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9388847.stm |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Most Consecutive Wins in the Top Division of Spanish football (Soccer) |website=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-consecutive-wins-in-the-top-division-of-spanish-football-(soccer) |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> His club performances in 2010 [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners|earned him]] the inaugural [[FIFA Ballon d'Or]], an amalgamation of the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, though his win was met with some criticism due to his lack of success with Argentina at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}<ref name="Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 January 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/jan/11/lionel-messi-xavi-ballon-dor |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> Under the award's old format, he would have placed just outside the top three, owing his win to the votes from the international coaches and captains.<ref name="Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award"/>


== In popular culture ==
Towards the end of the season, Barcelona played four ''Clásicos'' in the span of 18 days. A league match on 16 April ended in a draw after a penalty from Messi. After Barcelona [[2011 Copa del Rey Final|lost the Copa del Rey final]] four days later, Messi scored both goals in his side's 2–0 win in the first leg of the Champions League [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League knockout stage#Semi-finals|semi-finals]], the second of which – a dribble past three players – was acclaimed as one of the best ever in the competition.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} Although he did not score, he was again important in the second-leg draw that sent Barcelona through to the Champions League final,<ref name="Boy Genius"/><ref name="The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Aftermatch of the Clásico Series">{{cite journal |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Aftermatch of the Clásico Series |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=5 May 2011 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/05/05/clasico.aftermath/index.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508163612/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/05/05/clasico.aftermath/index.html |archivedate=8 May 2011}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=494–499}} where they faced Manchester United in a repeat of the final two years earlier. As the competition's top scorer for the third consecutive year, with 12 goals, Messi gave a man-of-the-match performance at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] on 28 May, scoring the match-winning goal of Barça's [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final|3–1 victory]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2011 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1634951.html |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2011 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/13576522 |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> Barcelona won a [[2010–11 La Liga|third consecutive La Liga title]]. In addition to his 31 goals, Messi was also the league's top assist provider with 18.<ref name="Matches 2010–11">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010 |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref> He finished [[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|the season]] with 53 goals and 24 assists in all competitions, becoming Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer and the first player in Spanish football to reach the 50-goal benchmark.<ref name="Matches 2010–11"/><ref name="Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever?">{{cite news |first1=Tony |last1=Cascarino |first2=Patrick |last2=Barclay |title=Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever? |newspaper=The Times {{subscription required}} |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3041129.ece |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="48 Not Out: Messi Proves Himself King of the Goals">{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Pitt-Brooke |title=48 Not Out: Messi Proves Himself King of the Goals |newspaper=The Independent |date=14 April 2011 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/48-not-out-messi-proves-himself-king-of-the-goals-2267324.html |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Lionel Messi Scores Spanish Record 50th Goal">{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Scores Spanish Record 50th Goal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2011 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/13179184 |accessdate=27 July 2015}}</ref>
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&nbsp;million benchmark, with earnings of €41&nbsp;million in 2013, and the €50–€60&nbsp;million points, with income of €65&nbsp;million in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Roberto |last=Notarianni |title=Messi, la (Très) Bonne Paie |trans-title=Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll |magazine=France Football |date=25 March 2015 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/545838 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jamie |last=Rainbow |title=Stat of the Day: Top 20 Best Paid Players and Coaches |work=World Soccer |date=18 March 2014 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-best-paid-players-coaches-350260 |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Messi was second on ''[[Forbes]]'' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, after Ronaldo, with income of $81&nbsp;million from salary and endorsements in 2015–16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo first footballer to top Forbes rich list of highest-earning athletes |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-footballer-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 June 2016 |first=Ben |last=Reynolds |access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-classement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372 |title="Lionel Messi devance largement Cristiano Ronaldo au classement des joueurs les mieux payés au monde" |access-date=3 June 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120075640/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-classement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Forbes'' ranked him the [[Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes|world's highest-paid athlete]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo to head Forbes top 100 highest paid athletes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/48602166 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> From 2008, he was Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from €7.8&nbsp;million to €13&nbsp;million over the next five years.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Keyvan Antonio |last=Heydari |title=Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 May 2009 |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/messi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0 |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=556}} Signing a new contract in 2017, he earned $667,000 per week in wages, and Barcelona paid him $60&nbsp;million as a signing on bonus.<ref name="Forbes2017">{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-set-to-become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/ |title="Lionel Messi Signs New Barcelona Contract, Set To Become World's Highest-Paid Footballer" |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=17 December 2017 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131144425/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-set-to-become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/ |url-status=live}}</ref> His buyout clause was set at $835&nbsp;million (€700&nbsp;million).<ref name="Forbes2017" /> In 2020, Messi became the second footballer, as well as the second athlete in a team sport, after Ronaldo, to surpass $1&nbsp;billion in earnings during their careers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/09/14/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2020-messi-wins-mbappe-rises/#7601f0671cff |title=World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players: Messi Wins, Mbappe Rises |work=Forbes|access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref>


[[File:Hinchas de Messi.jpg|thumb|right|Messi's Argentina jersey, supplied by Adidas, was sold out worldwide during the 2022 World Cup.<ref name="Arg sales">{{cite news |title=
As Messi developed into a combination of a number 8 (a creator), a 9 (scorer), and a 10 (assistant),{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} he scored an unprecedented 73 goals and provided 29 assists in all club competitions during the [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12 season]], producing a hat-trick or more on 10 occasions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=512}}<ref name="Matches 2011–12">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Lionel Messi: The Best Goalscorer Ever but Is the Barcelona Player the Greatest-Ever Footballer?">{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Lionel Messi: The Best Goalscorer Ever but Is the Barcelona Player the Greatest-Ever Footballer? |newspaper=The Independent |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-the-best-goalscorer-ever-but-is-the-barcelona-player-the-greatestever-footballer-8398696.html |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> He began the campaign by helping Barcelona win both the Spanish and European Super Cups; in the Supercopa de España, he scored three times to achieve a [[2011 Supercopa de España|5–4 aggregate victory]] over Real Madrid, overtaking [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]] as the competition's all-time top scorer with eight goals.<ref name="Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid">{{cite news |title=Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid |newspaper=USA Today |date=17 August 2011 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Barcelona 2 Porto 0: Match Report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 August 2011 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> At the close of the year, on 18 December, he scored twice in the FIFA Club World Cup final, a [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final|4–0 victory]] over [[Santos FC|Santos]], earning the [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the tournament, as he had done two years previously.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona Win FIFA Club World Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2011 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/16234168 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> For his efforts in 2011, [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners|he again received]] the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, after [[Johan Cruyff]], [[Michel Platini]], and [[Marco van Basten]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Crowned World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 January 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi-crowned-worlds-best |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> Additionally, he won the inaugural [[UEFA Best Player in Europe Award]], a revival of the old-style Ballon d'Or.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award |publisher=UEFA |date=25 August 2011 |url=http://www.uefa.org/uefa-best-player-award/news/newsid=1667736.html#messi+wins+uefa+best+player+europe+award |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> By then, Messi was already widely considered one of the best footballers in history, alongside players like Diego Maradona and [[Pelé]].<ref name="Boy Genius"/>
Lionel Messi's Argentina jerseys are sold out worldwide |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/19/business/adidas-leo-messi-jerseys/index.html |access-date=6 May 2023 |agency=CNN |date=19 December 2022}}</ref>]]
In addition to salary and bonuses, much of his income derives from endorsements; ''[[SportsPro]]'' has consequently cited him as one of the world's most marketable athletes every year since their research began in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Long |title=The World's 50 Most Marketable 2015 |work=SportsPro |date=20 May 2015 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610032555/http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable |url-status=dead}}</ref> His main sponsor since 2006 is [[Adidas]]. As Barcelona's leading youth prospect, he was signed with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] since age 14, but transferred to Adidas after they successfully challenged their rival's claim to his image rights in court.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=94–97}} Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser;<ref name="50million" /> from 2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas Messi.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retrospect: Adidas F50 Messi Collection |publisher=Soccer Bible |date=18 March 2015 |url=http://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2015/03/retrospect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/ |access-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Backed by Messi |publisher=Adidas |date=25 September 2015 |url=http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |access-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222143641/http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 2017, he has worn the latest version of the [[Adidas Nemeziz]].<ref>{{cite news |title=adidas Football Launches Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility |url=https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2017/05/adidas-football-launches-nemeziz/ |access-date=12 July 2019 |work=Soccer Bible}}</ref> In 2015, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name and number was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leo Messi's Barcelona Shirt Is the Most Sold Worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2609501-leo-messis-barcelona-shirt-is-the-most-sold-worldwide-cristiano-ronaldo-2nd |access-date=4 January 2019 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> At the 2022 World Cup, Adidas sold out Messi's No. 10 Argentina jersey worldwide.<ref name="Arg sales" />


[[File:ECUADOR VS ARGENTINA (36956136633).jpg|thumb|left|After [[Sign of the cross#Use|blessing himself]], Messi often [[Goal celebration|celebrates a goal]] by pointing a finger on each hand towards [[heaven|the sky]] in dedication to his late grandmother.<ref name="Dedication">{{cite news |last=Matchett |first=Karl |title=The Story Behind Lionel Messi's 5 Most Iconic Barcelona Celebrations |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2705366-the-story-behind-lionel-messis-5-most-iconic-barcelona-celebrations |work=Bleacher Report |date=25 April 2017|access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref> His goal celebration features in the [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]], first appearing in ''[[FIFA 14]].'']]
===2012: A record-breaking year===
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="I feel sorry for those who want to compete for Messi's throne – it's impossible, this kid is unique."|source=—[[Pep Guardiola]] after Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer at age 24 in March 2012<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Hayward |title=FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012: Lionel Messi Rewarded for Displays No Rival Could Ever Match |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 January 2013 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9786403/Fifa-Ballon-dOr-2012-Lionel-Messi-rewarded-for-displays-no-rival-could-ever-match.html |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 March 2012 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref>}}


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]].<ref name="Fourth">{{cite web |title=The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi |work=SportsPro |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517142514/http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Voted Soccer's Best, But Sponsors Stay Away |work=Forbes |date=10 January 2011 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-sponsors-stay-away/ |access-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="Fourth" /><ref>{{cite press release |title=Lionel Messi and Dolce & Gabbana: An Assist in Style |publisher=Dolce & Gabbana |url=http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827002248/http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Messi is a global brand ambassador for [[Gillette (brand)|Gillette]], [[Turkish Airlines]], [[Ooredoo]], and [[Tata Motors]], among other companies.<ref>{{cite web |first=Oliver |last=Millerchip |title=Messi to Front New Gillette Campaign |work=SportsPro |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Argentine Soccer Star Leo Messi Named Global Brand Ambassador for Turkish Airlines |work=Reuters |date=6 December 2012 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |access-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172433/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ian |last=McPherson |title=Messi Cashes in with Qatari Contract |work=SportsPro |date=28 February 2013 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Is Global Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors |work=Firstpost |date=3 November 2015 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/tata-motors-ropes-in-lionel-messi-as-global-brand-ambassador-2492172.htmlv |access-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015131146/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/the-best-sports-photo-of-the-year-goes-to---lionel-messi-and--the-final-game--183718601.html |archive-date=15 October 2015}}</ref> Messi was the face of Konami's video game series ''[[Pro Evolution Soccer]]'', appearing on the covers of ''[[PES 2009]]'', ''[[PES 2010]],'' ''[[PES 2011]]'' and ''[[PES 2020]]''. He subsequently signed with rival company [[EA Sports]] to become the face of their series ''[[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA]]'' and appeared on consecutive covers from ''[[FIFA 13]]'' to ''[[FIFA 16]]''.{{sfn|Guinness World Records|2014|p=102}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Lionel Messi to Star on Cover of EA Sports FIFA for Fourth Straight Year |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=15 June 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cover# |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref>
As Messi maintained his goalscoring form into the second half of the season, the year 2012 saw him break several longstanding records. On 7 March, two weeks after scoring four goals in a league fixture against [[Valencia CF|Valencia]], he scored [[European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics#Five goals in a match|five times]] in a Champions League last 16-round match against [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]], an unprecedented achievement in the history of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Scores Four as Barcelona Rout Valencia |publisher=CNN |date=20 February 2012 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/19/sport/football/football-barcelona-messi-milan/ |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Rostance |title=Lionel Messi Scores Five in Barcelona Champions League Win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 March 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17291685 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> In addition to being the joint top assist provider with five assists, this feat made him top scorer with 14 goals, tying [[José Altafini]]'s record from the 1962–63 season, as well as becoming only the second player after [[Gerd Müller]] to be top scorer in four campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour |publisher=UEFA |date=19 May 2012 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1795767.html |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> Two weeks later, on 20 March, Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of [[César Rodríguez Álvarez|César Rodríguez]]'s 232 goals with a hat-trick against [[Granada CF|Granada]].<ref name="Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record"/>


Messi was among the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]], an annual list of the world's most influential people, in 2011, 2012 and 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Thierry |last=Henry |title=The 2011 Time 100: Lionel Messi, God of the Field |magazine=Time |date=21 April 2011 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Mia |last=Hamm |title=The World's 100 Most Influential People 2012: Lionel Messi |magazine=Time |date=18 April 2012 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Federer |first1=Roger |title=The 100 Most Influential People of 2023: Lionel Messi |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269893/lionel-messi/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |magazine=Time |date=13 April 2023}}</ref> His fanbase on [[Facebook]] is among the largest of public figures: within seven hours of its launch in April 2011, Messi's Facebook page had nearly seven million followers, and by July 2023 he had [[List of most-followed Facebook pages|over 114 million followers]], the second highest for a sportsperson after Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Joins Facebook, Nets 7&nbsp;m Followers |publisher=ESPN |date=6 April 2011 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-facebook-nets-7m-followers |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Karissa |last=Giuliano |title=The 10 Most Popular Celebrities on Facebook |publisher=CNBC |date=9 June 2015 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-facebook.html |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> He has over 500 million [[Instagram]] followers, the [[List of most-followed Instagram accounts|second highest for an individual]] and sportsperson after Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Sets Instagram Record With World Cup Victory Post |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-sets-instagram-record-200520111.html |access-date=20 December 2022 |work=Yahoo Sports |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220145226/https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-sets-instagram-record-200520111.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> His World Cup celebration post from 18 December 2022 is the [[List of most-liked Instagram posts|most liked post on Instagram]] with over 70 million likes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Madhok |first=Diksha |title=Lionel Messi's World Cup photos are most-liked Instagram post ever |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/business/messi-most-liked-instagram-post-intl-hnk/index.html |date=21 December 2022 |access-date=23 December 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref> 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 Ronaldo, and the most likable of all contemporary players.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Borg |title=Ballon D'Or: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo – Battle of the Brands |publisher=CNN |date=2 December 2014 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-real-madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Top 10 Most Marketable Footballers in the World |publisher=Repucom |date=28 May 2014 |url=http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630024625/http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> On his economic impact on the city in which he plays, [[Terry Gibson]] called him a "tourist attraction".<ref>{{cite news |title=Gibson: Messi is a tourist attraction |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12377402/gibson-messi-is-a-tourist-attraction |access-date=10 August 2021 |agency=Sky Sports}}</ref>
[[File:FC Barcelona - Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 7 mar 2012 (07).jpg|thumb|left|Messi points to the sky during his five-goal display against [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] in March 2012.]]


[[File:Messi car.jpg|thumb|[[Truck art in South Asia#Cars|Indian vehicle art]] of Messi]]
Despite Messi's individual form, Barcelona's four-year cycle of success under Guardiola – one of the greatest eras in the club's history – drew to an end.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Brassell |title=Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17867892 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> Although Barcelona won the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao on 25 May, its 14th title of that period, the team had lost the league to Real Madrid and was eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual champions, Chelsea, with Messi sending a crucial second-leg penalty kick against the crossbar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pep Guardiola's Final Game: Barcelona Win Copa del Rey |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/18216611 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |title=Barcelona 2–2 Chelsea (agg 2–3) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17817584 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> In Barça's last home league match on 5 May, against Espanyol, Messi scored all four goals before approaching the bench to embrace Guardiola, who had announced his resignation as manager.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four-Goal Lionel Messi Gives Pep Guardiola Perfect Barcelona Send-Off |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 May 2012 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/05/lionel-messi-four-goals-guardiola |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> He finished [[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|the season]] as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, an all-time La Liga record, while his [[European association football club records#Most goals in a season|73 goals in all competitions]] surpassed Gerd Müller's 67 goals in the 1972–73 [[Bundesliga]] season, making him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=29 October 2012 |url=http://www.si.com/soccer/2012/10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-barcelona-ap |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Smashes Müller's 40-Year Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 December 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-of-2012 |accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref>


[[Madame Tussauds]] unveiled their first wax sculpture of Messi at [[Wembley Stadium]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi's Madame Tussauds Waxwork Unveiled At Wembley |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/19/lionel-messis-madame-tussauds-waxwork-unveiled_n_1896126.html |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=Huffington Post}}</ref> A gold replica of his left foot, weighing {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and valued at $5.3&nbsp;million, went on sale in Japan in 2013 to raise funds for victims of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Left Foot – Yours for $5.25 Million |publisher=CNN |date=6 March 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-leo-messi-golden-foot/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kaitlyn |last=Krasselt |title=Cannes to Cannes: YouTube's Most Viewed Ads |work=USA Today |date=21 June 2014 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Laura |last=Lorenzetti |title=YouTube Users Say This Is the 'Ad of the Decade' |magazine=Time |date=3 June 2015 |url=http://time.com/3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> [[World Press Photo]] selected "The Final Game", a photo of Messi facing the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy|World Cup trophy]] after Argentina's final defeat to Germany, as the best sports image of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Cup final photo of Lionel Messi eyeing trophy wins prize |work=ESPN |date=12 February 2015 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2295953/headline |access-date=11 August 2021}}</ref> ''[[Messi (2014 film)|Messi]]'', a documentary by filmmaker [[Álex de la Iglesia]], premiered at the [[Venice Film Festival]] in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Barker |title=Venice Film Review: 'Messi' |work=Variety |date=27 August 2014 |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref>
Under manager [[Tito Vilanova]], who had first coached him aged 14 at ''La Masia'', Messi helped the club achieve its best-ever start to a La Liga season during the second half of 2012, amassing 55 points by the competition's midway point, a record in Spanish football.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=To See Coach's Legacy at Barcelona, Just Look on Field |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 April 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/30/sports/soccer/tito-vilanovas-death-cut-through-spanish-soccers-rivalries.html?_r=0 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ten-Man Barcelona Shocked by Sociedad |publisher=CNN |date=19 January 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/19/sport/football/football-barcelona-defeat-sociedad/index.html |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> A double scored on 9 December against [[Real Betis]] saw Messi break two longstanding records: he surpassed César Rodríguez's record of 190 league goals, becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in La Liga, and Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year, overtaking his 85 goals scored in 1972 for Bayern Munich and [[Germany national football team|Germany]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi |publisher=Reuters |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/10/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E8NA1RM20121210 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> Messi sent Müller a number 10 Barcelona shirt, signed "with respect and admiration", after breaking his 40-year record.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Mueller Gets Messi's No. 10 Barcelona Shirt |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=17 January 2013 |url=http://www.si.com/soccer/2013/01/17/lionel-messi-gerd-mueller-jersey |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> At the close of the year, Messi had scored a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina.<ref name="Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or">{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 January 2013 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> Although [[FIFA]] did not acknowledge the achievement, citing verifiability issues, he received the [[Guinness World Records]] title for most goals scored in a calendar year.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA Refuses to Back Lionel Messi or Godfrey Chitalu for Goal Record |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 December 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20727929 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Sets New Goal-Scoring Record">{{cite web |title=Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Sets New Goal-Scoring Record |website=Guinness World Records |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/12/barcelona-star-lionel-messi-sets-new-goalscoring-record-46285/ |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> As the odds-on favourite, Messi [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners|again won]] the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.<ref name="Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2013 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20910453 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref>


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."<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-begins-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration-by-announcing-partnership-with-lionel-messi-301310207.html "Hard Rock International Begins Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration By Announcing Partnership With Lionel Messi"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521113021/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-begins-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration-by-announcing-partnership-with-lionel-messi-301310207.html |date=21 May 2023 }}. PR Newswire. Retrieved 11 June 2021</ref> In May 2022, Messi was unveiled as Saudi Arabia's [[Tourism in Saudi Arabia|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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/12/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-deal-tourism |title=Lionel Messi earned $122m last year. He still felt the need to take Saudi money|access-date=12 May 2022 |website=The Guardian |first=Karim |last=Zidan |date=12 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgy8dk/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-tourism-ambassador-sportswashing |title=Messi Is Accused of Being the Face of a Blood-Soaked Regime|access-date=20 June 2022 |website=VICE |first=Rimal |last=Farukh |date=20 June 2022}}</ref> In April 2023, Messi was featured in the 200 year old [[Thrissur Pooram]] festival in [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{cite news |last=PTI |date=1 May 2023 |title=Kerala's iconic Thrissur Pooram held in full grandeur featuring Lionel Messi during 'Kudamattam |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/iconic-thrissur-pooram-held-in-full-grandeur-messi-featured-during-kudamattam/article66799414.ece |access-date=3 May 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> During Thrissur Pooram, which is one of the largest festivals in Asia, 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 May 2023 |title=Lionel Messi steals the show at Kerala's Iconic Thrissur Pooram |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/lionel-messi-steals-the-show-at-keralas-iconic-thrissur-pooram-article-99922391 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=TimesNow}}</ref>
===2013–14: ''Messidependencia''===
Barcelona had virtually secured their [[2012–13 La Liga|La Liga title]] by the start of 2013, eventually equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. However, their performances deteriorated in the second half of the [[2012–13 FC Barcelona season|2012–13 campaign]], concurrently with Vilanova's absence due to ill health.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=A Sense of Anticlimax but Barcelona Still Deserve Their La Liga Title |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 May 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/13/barcelona-title-anti-climax |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Barcelona Face up to Uncomfortable Truths after Alarming Slump in Form |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 March 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/mar/09/barcelona-slump-tito-vilanova |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> After losing successive ''Clásicos'', including the Copa del Rey [[2012–13 Copa del Rey#Semi-finals|semi-finals]], they were nearly eliminated in the first knockout round of the Champions League by [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], but a revival of form in the second leg led to a 4–0 comeback, with two goals and an assist from Messi.<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Monaghan |title=Barcelona 4–0 AC Milan (agg 4–2) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 March 2013 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21747026 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> Now in his ninth senior season with Barcelona, Messi signed a new contract on 7 February, committing himself to the club through 2018, while his fixed wage rose to €13&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=556}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Signs New Barcelona Deal |publisher=CNN |date=7 February 2015 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/07/sport/football/football-leo-messi-barcelona/ |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, on 17 March, in a league match against [[Rayo Vallecano]]; by then, he had become the team's tactical focal point to a degree that was arguably rivalled only by former Barcelona players [[Josep Samitier]], [[László Kubala]] and [[Johan Cruyff]].<ref name="Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph">{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph |publisher=Reuters |date=11 May 2013 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/11/uk-soccer-spain-messi-idUKBRE94A0GW20130511 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> Since his evolution into a false nine three years earlier, his input into the team's attack had increased exponentially; from 24% in their treble-winning campaign, his goal contribution rose to more than 40% that season.{{sfn|Caioli|2015|loc=ch. 38}}


== Personal life ==
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="In Leo we are talking about the best player in the world and when things are not going well you have to use him. Even if he is half lame, his presence on the pitch is enough to lift us and our play in general."|source=—Defender [[Gerard Piqué]] explains Barcelona's reliance on an unfit Messi against [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in April 2013.<ref>{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Andrés Iniesta Admission That Barcelona Suffer from 'Messi-Dependence' Proved against PSG |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 April 2013 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/andres-iniesta-admission-that-barcelona-suffer-from-messidependence-proved-against-psg-8568190.html |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref>}}
=== Family and relationships ===
Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with [[Antonela Roccuzzo]], a fellow native of [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-759/ |title=Lionel Messi's wife explains her absence at World Cup opener that left him broken hearted |work=USAHint |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701061408/http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-759/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40454654 |title=Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century' |access-date=1 July 2017 |work=BBC News}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Amy |last=Francombe |title=Antonela Roccuzzo — the first lady of Argentinean football |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/antonella-roccuzzo-lionel-messi-wife-b1048246.html |date=19 December 2022 |access-date=19 January 2022 |work=Evening Standard}}</ref>


{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Leo is not shy. He's introverted. He's reserved."|source={{mdash}} Endocrinologist Diego Schwarzstein,{{refn|group=note|According to [[Bleacher Report]]'s Richard Fitzpatrick, "Schwarzstein and Messi built up a close relationship during more than four years of treatment."<ref name=BR>{{Cite news|title=The Machine of '87: Messi's Boyhood Teammates Recall Early Signs of Greatness |work=Bleacher Report |date=23 June 2017 |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717227-the-machine-of-87-messis-boyhood-teammates-recall-early-signs-of-greatness |access-date=25 June 2017 |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Richard}}</ref>}} who addressed Messi's [[growth hormone deficiency]] from 1997 to 2001.}}
After four largely injury-free seasons, the muscular injuries that had previously plagued Messi reoccurred. After he suffered a hamstring strain on 2 April, during the first quarter-final against [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]], his appearances became sporadic. In the second leg against PSG, with an underperforming Barcelona down a goal, Messi came off the bench in the second half and within nine minutes helped create their game-tying goal, which allowed them to progress to the semi-finals. Still unfit, he proved ineffective during the first leg against Bayern Munich and was unable to play at all during the second, as Barcelona were [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|defeated 7–0 on aggregate]] by the eventual champions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Set to Miss Rest of Barcelona Season with Hamstring Injury |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 May 2013 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/10056107/Lionel-Messi-set-to-miss-rest-of-Barcelona-season-with-hamstring-injury.html |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messidependencia">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Messidependencia Brought into Focus as Barcelona Show Vulnerability |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 April 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/apr/11/lionel-messi-barcelona-psg-champions-league |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> These matches gave credence to the notion of ''Messidependencia'', Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological dependence on their star player.<ref name="Messidependencia"/>


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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi Shares Baby Joy |publisher=beIN Sports |date=17 June 2012 |url=http://www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek9sw1ky0beeucau3b}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}</ref> Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Messi Junior Named Thiago |publisher=ESPN FC |date=2 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-named-thiago |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> In April 2015, Messi confirmed that they were expecting another child.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says |publisher=ESPN FC |date=30 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2426028/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> On 30 June 2017, he married Roccuzzo at a luxury hotel named Hotel City Center in Rosario.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/style/weddings/lionel-messi-marries-stunning-childhood-sweetheart-antonella-roccuzzo-in-argentine-home-town-35883938.html |title=Lionel Messi marries stunning childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Argentine home town |access-date=1 July 2017 |newspaper=Irish Independent|date=July 2017 }}</ref> In October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting their third child.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3230393/lionel-messi-and-wife-antonella-roccuzzo-expecting-their-third-child |title=Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo expecting their third child |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 October 2017|access-date=16 October 2017}}</ref> Messi and his family are [[Catholic Christians]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Lisi|first1=Clemente|title=A Messi situation: Examining the faith of the world's greatest soccer player |url=https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/9/16/lionel-messi-examining-the-faith-of-the-worlds-greatest-soccer-player |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=Religion Unplugged|date=16 September 2020 }}</ref>
Messi continued to struggle with injury throughout 2013, eventually parting ways with his long-time personal physiotherapist.<ref name="Rumours of Lionel Messi Rift with Barcelona Rubbished Be Representatives of the Argentina International">{{cite news |first=Jack |last=De Menezes |title=Rumours of Lionel Messi Rift with Barcelona Rubbished Be Representatives of the Argentina International |newspaper=The Independent |date=14 November 2013 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rumours-of-lionel-messi-rift-with-barcelona-rubbished-be-representatives-of-the-argentina-international-8939631.html |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> Further damage to his hamstring sustained on 12 May ended his goalscoring streak of 21 consecutive league games, a worldwide record; he had netted 33 goals during his run, including a four-goal display against [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]], while becoming the first player to score consecutively against all 19 opposition teams in La Liga.<ref name="Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph"/><ref name="Messi Worry Mars Barca's Title Joy">{{cite web |title=Messi Worry Mars Barca's Title Joy |publisher=CNN |date=13 May 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/12/sport/football/messi-barcelona-psg-milan-football |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi 'Breaks Record' by Scoring in 17th Consecutive La Liga Game">{{cite web |title=Messi 'Breaks Record' by Scoring in 17th Consecutive La Liga Game |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2013 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21732439 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Rooke |title=Barcelona 5 Osasuna 1: Messi Hits Four in Rout |newspaper=The Sunday Times {{subscription needed}} |date=27 January 2013 |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/football/European_football/article1203156.ece |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> With 60 goals <!--{{Citation needed span|text=and 16 assists}}--> 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.<ref name="Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona |newspaper=The Independent |date=20 November 2013 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-8951828.html |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Matches 2012–13">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2012–13 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2012-13 |accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref> Following an irregular start to the [[2013–14 FC Barcelona season|new season]] under manager [[Gerardo Martino]], formerly of his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys, Messi suffered his fifth injury of 2013 when he tore his hamstring on 10 November, leaving him sidelined for two months.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=587–592}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Returns from Injury in Barcelona Victory |publisher=CNN |date=8 January 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/08/sport/football/messi-barcelona-return/ |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> Despite his injuries, he was voted [[2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or|runner-up]] for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, relinquishing the award after a four-year monopoly to Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA Ballon D'or after Stellar Year at Real Madrid |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 January 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/13/cristiano-ronaldo-ballon-dor-winner-real-madrid |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref>


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.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=31, 143, 570}}
[[File:Leo Messi v Granada 2014.jpg|thumb|left|Messi celebrates his second goal against [[Granada CF|Granada]] in September 2014.]]


Since leaving for Spain aged 13, Messi has maintained close ties to his hometown of Rosario, even preserving his distinct [[Rioplatense Spanish|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.<ref name="Here" />{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{Cite web|first=Chris |last=Wright |title=After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's Old Boys |publisher=ESPN FC |date=5 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-planet-thiago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> Messi has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi reaffirms desire to return to Newell's Old Boys before retirement |url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/argentina/story/2943890/lionel-messi-reaffirms-desire-to-return-to-newells-old-boys-before-retirement |work=ESPN FC |date=5 September 2016 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> Messi holds triple citizenship, as he is a citizen of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Montes |first1=Silvia |title=Leo Messi, llamado a votar en las próximas elecciones italianas |url=https://as.com/tikitakas/2019/05/04/portada/1556974023_395209.html |access-date=20 August 2022 |work=Diario AS |date=4 May 2019 |language=es}}</ref>
During the second half of the 2013–14 season, doubts persisted over Messi's form, leading to a perception among the ''culés'' that he was reserving himself for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]. Statistically, his contribution of goals, shots, and passes had dropped significantly compared to previous seasons.<ref name="Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi?">{{cite web |first=Andy |last=West |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26651301 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="One Flick of Lionel Messi's Left Foot Ends Talk of Crisis at Barcelona">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=One Flick of Lionel Messi's Left Foot Ends Talk of Crisis at Barcelona |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/12/lionel-messi-barcelona-champions-league-manchester-city |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Lionel Messi and Argentina in Tune at Last despite Tough Start to World Cup">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi and Argentina in Tune at Last despite Tough Start to World Cup |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 June 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/24/lionel-messi-argentina-world-cup-maradona |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> He still managed to break two longstanding records in a span of seven days: a hat-trick on 16 March against Osasuna saw him overtake [[Paulino Alcántara]]'s 369 goals to become Barcelona's top goalscorer in all competitions including friendlies, while another hat-trick against Real Madrid on 23 March made him the [[El Clásico#Top goalscorers|all-time top scorer]] in ''El Clásico'', ahead of the 18 goals scored by former Real Madrid player [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]].<ref name="Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi?"/><ref name="Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4 Match Report: Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Out-Guns Cristiano Ronaldo in Seven-Goal El Clásico Thriller">{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4 Match Report: Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Out-Guns Cristiano Ronaldo in Seven-Goal El Clásico Thriller |newspaper=The Independent |date=24 March 2014 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/real-madrid-3-barcelona-4-match-report-messi-hattrick-outguns-ronaldo-in-sevengoal-clasico-thriller-9211169.html |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> Messi finished the campaign with his worst output in five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals <!--{{Citation needed span|text=and provide 15 assists}}--> in all competitions.<ref name="One Flick of Lionel Messi's Left Foot Ends Talk of Crisis at Barcelona"/><ref name="Matches 2013–14">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2013–14 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2013-14 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> For the first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season without a major trophy; they were [[2014 Copa del Rey Final|defeated in the Copa del Rey final]] by Real Madrid and [[2013–14 La Liga|lost the league]] in the last game to Atlético Madrid, causing Messi to be booed by sections of fans at the Camp Nou.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi: I Had a Lot of Problems during 2013–14 Season |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 February 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2306392/barcelona-lionel-messi-i-had-a-lot-of-problems-during-2013-14-season |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona Name Luis Enrique as New Coach, Lionel Messi Signs New Contract with La Liga Club |publisher=ABC News |date=21 May 2014 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-20/luis-enrique-new-barca-coach-as-messi-re-signs/5463692 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> After prolonged speculation over his future with the club, Messi signed a new contract on 19 May 2014, only a year after his last contractual update; his salary increased to €20&nbsp;million, or €36&nbsp;million before taxes, the highest wage ever in the sport.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Signs New Barcelona Deal |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 May 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-divisi%C3%B3n/story/1826801/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-club-confirm |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll">{{cite journal |first=Roberto |last=Notarianni |title=Messi, la (Très) Bonne Paie |trans_title=Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll |journal=France Football |date=25 March 2015 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/545838 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref>


=== Philanthropy ===
===2014–2015 season: A historic treble===
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 [[UNICEF|United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF), an organisation with which Barcelona also have a strong association.<ref name="Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador">{{Cite web|title=Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador |publisher=UNICEF |date=25 May 2012 |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52964.html |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first1=Iain |last1=Rogers |first2=Justin |last2=Palmer |title=Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016 |work=Reuters |date=12 November 2013 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124194912/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112}}</ref> Messi has served as a [[UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador]] since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]]. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting [[Prevention of HIV/AIDS|HIV prevention]], education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 May 2015 |title=Leo Messi Activity Highlights |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144838/https://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html|archive-date=7 September 2018|access-date=30 July 2021 |publisher=UNICEF}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF |publisher=UNICEF |date=28 October 2013 |url=http://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810091152/https://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html|archive-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>


[[File:Lionel Messi 31mar2007.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Messi (pictured in 2007) has worked with UNICEF since 2004 and has served as a [[UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador]] since 2010.]]
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="Messi is an alien that dedicates himself to playing with humans."|source=—[[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] captain [[Gianluigi Buffon]] ahead of their meeting in the [[2015 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] in June 2015<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Is 'an Alien That Dedicates Himself to Playing with Humans' Says Gianluigi Buffon |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 June 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/02/lionel-messi-alien-gianluigi-buffon-juventus-barcelona |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref>}}


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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi Fast Facts |publisher=CNN |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/world/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/ |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} 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.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in Algeria |newspaper=Arab Times |date=3 August 2015 |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/ |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports |publisher=New England Sports Network |date=22 June 2012 |url=http://nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argentine-superstar-supports/ |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Partners |publisher=Leo Messi Foundation |url=http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318214259/http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Under new manager and former captain [[Luis Enrique (footballer)|Luis Enrique]], Messi experienced a largely injury-free start to the [[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15 season]], allowing him to break three more longstanding records towards the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Gerardo Martino: Lionel Messi Feeling Mental, Physical Strain of Years at Top |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2205947/lionel-messi-feeling-strain-of-years-at-top-for-barcelona-and-argentina-says-gerardo-martino |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> A hat-trick scored against Sevilla on 22 November made him the [[La Liga#Top scorers|all-time top scorer in La Liga]], as he surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by [[Telmo Zarra]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona Forward Will Leave 'Unreachable' Record |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30165949 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> Three days later, he scored another hat-trick against [[APOEL FC|APOEL]], overtaking Raúl's 71 goals to become top scorer in the history of the Champions League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apoel Nic 0–4 Barcelona |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29363780 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> A third hat-trick, scored against city rivals Espanyol on 7 December, allowed him to surpass César Rodríguez as the all-time top scorer in the ''[[Derbi barceloní]]'' with 12 goals.<ref name="The Derby Is a Monologue of Messi">{{cite news |first=Ramon |last=Besa |title=El Derbi Es un Monólogo de Messi |trans_title=The Derby Is a Monologue of Messi |newspaper=El País |language=Spanish |date=7 December 2014 |url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2014/12/07/actualidad/1417963145_479538.html |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> Messi again [[2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or#Winners|placed second]] in the FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, largely owing to his second-place achievement with Argentina at the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Ballon D'or for Second Straight Year |publisher=ESPN FC |date=12 January 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/real-madrid/story/2240733/cristiano-ronaldo-wins-ballon-dor-for-second-straight-year|accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref>


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 [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] and [[Boca Juniors]] in Buenos Aires.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} At Newell's Old Boys, his boyhood club, he funded the 2012 construction of a new gymnasium and a dormitory inside the club's [[Estadio Marcelo Bielsa|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.<ref name="Here" /> On 7 June 2016, Messi won a libel case against [[La Razón (Madrid)|''La Razón'' newspaper]] and was awarded €65,000 in damages, which he donated to the charity [[Médecins Sans Frontières]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damages-to-charity |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity |work=ESPN |date=7 June 2016}}</ref> Messi made a donation worth €1&nbsp;million ($1.1&nbsp;million) to fight the [[COVID-19 pandemic|spread of coronavirus]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Messi, Guardiola donate $1.08 million each to coronavirus battle |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-soccer-spain/messi-guardiola-donate-1-08-million-each-to-coronavirus-battle-idUSKBN21B3HV |work=Reuters |date=25 March 2020}}</ref> This was split between Clinic Barcelona in Barcelona and his native Argentina.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-donate-to-hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html |title=Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi donate to hospitals in fight against coronavirus |first=Matias |last=Grez |work=WFSB|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=8 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408025857/https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-donate-to-hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/03/30/lionel-messis-coronavirus-wage-cut-could-cost-him-50-million/ |title=Lionel Messi's Coronavirus Wage Cut Could Cost Him $50 Million |first=Christina |last=Settimi |work=Forbes|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref>
At the start of 2015, Barcelona were perceived to be headed for another disappointing end to the season, with renewed speculation in the media that Messi was leaving the club. A turning point came on 11 January during a 3–1 victory over Atlético Madrid, the first time Barça's attacking trident of Messi, [[Luis Suárez]] and [[Neymar]], dubbed "MSN", each scored in a match, marking the beginning of a highly successful run.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lee |last=Roden |title=Barcelona, Messi and Enrique: What's Gone Wrong? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30714018 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Barcelona Transform Their Season from Trouble to a Possible Treble">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Barcelona Transform Their Season from Trouble to a Possible Treble |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/18/barcelona-la-liga-champions-sid-lowe |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> After five years of playing in the centre of the pitch, Messi had returned to his old position on the right wing late the previous year, by his own suggestion according to Suárez, their striker.<ref name="Barcelona Transform Their Season from Trouble to a Possible Treble"/><ref name="Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble">{{cite web |first=Andy |last=West |title=Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31956028 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> From there, he regained his best – arguably his best-ever – form, while Suárez and Neymar ended the team's attacking dependency on their star player.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Messi's Best-Ever Form? |publisher=ESPN FC |date=8 May 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.us/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/2439543/messi-best-real-madrid-champions-league-liga-strike-sid-lowe |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Francesc |last=Tomas |title=Barcelona Increasingly Gaining Messi Independence (and It's a Good Thing) |publisher=ESPN FC |date=22 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2413578/barcelona-slowly-gaining-lionel-messi-independence |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> With 58 goals <!--{{Citation needed span|text=and 26 assists}}--> from Messi, the trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish football.<ref name="Barcelona's Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Barcelona's Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 June 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/06/barcelona-luis-suarez-lionel-messi-juventus-champions-league-final |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Matches 2014–15">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2014–15 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2014-15 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel |work=ESPN |date=24 June 2016 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain |date=18 November 2016 |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/11/18/582f53b822601d46758b4610.html}}</ref> In February 2021, Messi donated to the {{lang|ca|[[Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya]]|italic=no}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sport |date=12 February 2021 |title=Adidas and Messi donate boots to Art Museum to be auctioned in April |url=https://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/adidas-and-messi-donate-boots-to-art-museum-to-be-auctioned-in-april-11514617|access-date=13 February 2021 |work=Sport}}</ref>
[[File:Moment of the Champions League final FC Barcelona - Juventus 2015.jpg|thumb|left|Messi battles [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] defender [[Patrice Evra]] for the ball during the [[2015 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] in June 2015.]]


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.<ref name="Vac" /> A deal brokered by Uruguay's president [[Luis Lacalle Pou]], the plan to prioritise football players caused some controversy given widespread vaccine scarcity in the region, with the Mayor of [[Canelones, Uruguay|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".<ref name="Vac">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/14/lionel-messi-helps-obtain-50000-covid-vaccines-for-south-american-players |title=Lionel Messi helps obtain 50,000 Covid vaccines for South American players |first=Goni |last=Uki |work=The Guardian |date=14 April 2021|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref>
Towards the end of the campaign, Messi scored the only goal in a 1–0 away win over Atlético Madrid on 17 May, securing the [[2014–15 La Liga|La Liga title]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Rice |title=Barcelona Win La Liga: Lionel Messi Strike Sees Barca Clinch 23rd Title at Home of Reigning Champions Atletico Madrid |newspaper=The Independent |date=17 May 2015 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/barcelona-win-la-liga-lionel-messi-goal-sees-barca-clinch-title-at-home-of-reigning-champions-atletico-madrid-10256854.html |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> Among his 43 league goals that season was a hat-trick scored in 11 minutes against Rayo Vallecano on 8 March, the fastest of his senior career; it was his 32nd hat-trick overall for Barcelona, allowing him to overtake Telmo Zarra as the player with the most hat-tricks ever in Spanish football.<ref name="Matches 2014–15"/><ref name="Supporters, Superstars and Goals Galore">{{cite web |title=Supporters, Superstars and Goals Galore |publisher=FIFA |date=11 March 2015 |url=http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2015/m=3/news=supporters-superstars-and-goals-galore-2557355.html |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> Additionally, as the season's top assist provider with 18 assists, he surpassed [[Luís Figo]] as the player with the most assists in La Liga;{{refn|group=note|name="Assist statistics"|Assist statistics began in 1990.}} he made his record 106th assist in a fixture against [[Levante UD|Levante]] on 15 February, in which he also scored a hat-trick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2014–15 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2014 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi Is Also a Legend in the Historical Assist Ranking">{{cite web|title=Messi También Es Leyenda en el Ranking Histórico de Asistencias |trans_title=Messi Is Also a Legend in the Historical Assist Ranking |publisher=La Liga BBVA |date=19 February 2015 |language=Spanish |url=http://www.ligabbva.com/2544_liga-bbva/2958603_messi-tambien-es-leyenda-en-el-ranking-historico-de-asistencias.html |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi Notches Assist Record">{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Messi Notches Assist Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 February 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2300728/messi-notches-assist-record;-suarez-very-happy-at-barca-says-luis-enrique |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> Messi then scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–1 in the [[2015 Copa del Rey Final|Copa del Rey final]] on 30 May, achieving the sixth double in their history. His opening goal was hailed as one of the greatest in his career; he collected the ball near the halfway line and beat four opposing players, before feinting the goalkeeper to score in a tight space by the near post.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Treble Comes into Focus as Messi Marches Barcelona to Copa Title |publisher=ESPN FC |date=30 May 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-match/60/post/2472389/lionel-messi-marches-barcelona-to-copa-del-rey-final-win |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> The goal was later named one of the three final nominees for the [[FIFA Puskás Award#2015|2015 FIFA Puskás Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/puskas-award/|title=Puskás Award|publisher=FIFA.com|accessdate=28 December 2015}}</ref>


=== Tax fraud ===
In the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], Messi scored twice and assisted on another in their 3–0 semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, now under the stewardship of Guardiola.<ref>{{cite news |first=Blair |last=Newman |title=If Lionel Messi Makes Pep Guardiola Feel Helpless, What Chance Do the Rest Have? |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 May 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/07/pep-guardiola-lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> His second goal, which came only three minutes after his first, saw him chip the ball over goalkeeper [[Manuel Neuer]] after his dribble past [[Jérôme Boateng]] had made the defender drop to the ground; it went [[Internet meme|viral]], becoming the year's most tweeted about sporting moment, and was named the best goal of the season by [[UEFA]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Rice |title=Lionel Messi, Manchester United and Arsenal: The 10 Most Tweeted Sporting Moments of 2015 |newspaper=The Independent |date=7 December 2015 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-manchester-united-arsenal-10-most-tweeted-about-sporting-moments-of-2015-a6762456.html |accessdate=7 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi's Goal vs. Bayern Voted Europe's Best in 2014–15">{{cite journal |first=Christopher |last=Chavez |title=Messi's Goal vs. Bayern Voted Europe's Best in 2014–15 |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=27 August 2015 |url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/08/27/lionel-messi-goal-barcelona-bayern-munich-champions-league-jerome-boateng |accessdate=4 September 2015}}</ref> Despite a second-leg loss, Barcelona progressed to the final on 6 June in [[Berlin]], where they [[2015 UEFA Champions League Final|defeated Juventus 3–1]] to win their [[Treble (association football)|second treble]], becoming the first team in history to do so.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |title=Bayern Mun 3–2 Barcelona |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32683310 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Borden |title=Barcelona Overwhelms Juventus to Win Fifth Champions League Title |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 June 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/barcelona-defeats-juventus-in-champions-league-final.html |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> Although Messi did not score, he participated in each of his side's goals, particularly the second as he forced a parried save from goalkeeper [[Gianluigi Buffon]] from which Suárez scored the match-winning goal on the rebound.<ref name="Barcelona's Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus"/> In addition to being the top assist provider with six assists, Messi finished the competition as the joint top scorer with ten goals, which earned him the distinction of being the first player ever to achieve the top scoring mark in five Champions League seasons.<ref name="UEFA Champions League 2014–15: Statistics">{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2014–15: Statistics |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/statistics/index.html |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="The Ultimate Record-Breaking Preview to the UEFA Champions League Final">{{cite web |first=Ralph |last=Hannah |title=The Ultimate Record-Breaking Preview to the UEFA Champions League Final |website=Guinness World Records |date=5 June 2015 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/6/the-ultimate-record-breaking-preview-champions-league-final |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> For his efforts during the season, he received the [[UEFA Best Player in Europe Award#2014.E2.80.9315|UEFA Best Player in Europe award]] for a second time.<ref name="Messi Beats Ronaldo for 2014–15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award">{{cite web |first=Roger |last=Gonzalez |title=Messi Beats Ronaldo for 2014–15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award |publisher=CBS Sports |date=27 August 2015 |url=http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25282034/messi-beats-ronaldo-for-2014-15-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award |accessdate=4 September 2015}}</ref>
Messi's financial affairs came under investigation in 2013 for suspected [[tax evasion]]. Offshore companies in [[tax haven]]s Uruguay and [[Belize]] were used to evade €4.1&nbsp;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&nbsp;million in August 2013. On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were handed [[Suspended sentence|suspended]] 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7&nbsp;million and €1.4&nbsp;million in fines.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-prison-jail-sentence |title=Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=6 July 2016 |access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-football-and-trusted-my-dad |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father |work=ESPN FC |date=2 June 2016|access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref>


== Career statistics ==
===2015–16 season: Domestic Success===
=== Club ===
[[File:Lionel Messi.png|thumb|upright|Messi dribbling past Sevilla's [[Éver Banega]] in the [[2015 UEFA Super Cup]]]]
{{updated|match played 1 June 2024}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Messi opened the [[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|2015–16 season]] by scoring twice from [[Direct free kick|free kick]]s in Barcelona's [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|5–4 victory]] (after extra time) over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Says Free Kick Goals in UEFA Super Cup Were 'Lucky' |publisher=ESPN FC |date=11 August 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/2559713/lionel-messi-calls-free-kick-goals-in-uefa-super-cup-lucky |accessdate=4 September 2015}}</ref> A subsequent [[2015 Supercopa de España|5–1 aggregate defeat]] against Athletic Bilbao in the Supercopa de España ended their expressed hopes of a second sextuple, with Messi scoring his side's only goal.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Barcelona Disappoint as Athletic Bilbao Deservedly Win the Spanish Super Cup |publisher=ESPN FC |date=17 August 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2562191/barcelona-lose-spanish-super-cup-to-athletic-bilbao |accessdate=4 September 2015}}</ref> On 16 September, he became the youngest player to make 100 appearances in the [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] in a 1–1 away draw to [[A.S. Roma|Roma]].<ref name="Florenzi's goal vs. Barca one for the ages">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/uefa-champions-league-chelsea-as-roma-barcelona-messi-arsenal-florenzi/|title=Florenzi's goal vs. Barca one for the ages|publisher=Sports Net|author1=John Molinaro|date=16 September 2015|accessdate=16 September 2015}}</ref> On 26 September, Messi sustained an injury in Barcelona's match against [[UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas]]; tests later confirmed that he suffered a tear in the medial collateral ligament of his left knee, ruling him out for six to eight weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/leo-messi-out-for-seven-to-eight-weeks|title=Leo Messi out for seven to eight weeks|publisher=FC Barcelona|date=26 September 2015|accessdate=27 September 2015}}</ref> He finally returned to the pitch on 21 November, making a substitute appearance in Barcelona's 4–0 away win over rivals Real Madrid in ''El Clásico''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34849342|title=Real Madrid 0 – Barcelona 4|publisher=BBC Sport.com|author1=Gary Rose|date=21 November 2015|accessdate=21 December 2015}}</ref> Messi capped off the year by winning the [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final]] on 20 December, collecting his fifth club trophy of 2015 as Barcelona went on to defeat [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] 3–0 in [[Yokohama]]. Messi also won the tournament's Silver Ball, despite missing the semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-club-world-cup/story/2765338/lionel-messi-club-world-cup-shows-barcelona-are-world-best|title=Lionel Messi: Club World Cup triumph proves Barcelona are 'best in the world'|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=Dermot Corrigan|date=20 December 2015|accessdate=21 December 2015}}</ref> On 30 December, Messi scored on his 500th appearance for Barcelona, in a 4–0 home win over Real Betis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2015-2016/league/round-17/fc-barcelona_real-betis-balompie|title=FC Barcelona claim 4–0 victory over Betis and top spot to end 2015|publisher=FC Barcelona|author=Michael Toll|date=30 December 2015|accessdate=31 December 2015}}</ref>
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

On 6 January 2016, recording Barcelona's first goal of the new year, Messi scored two goals and assisted the other two in a 4–1 derby win over Espanyol at the Camp Nou, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the [[2015–16 Copa del Rey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/06/barcelona-espanyol-copa-del-rey-match-report|title=Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona to win over Espanyol on Arda Turan's debut|publisher=The Guardian|date=6 January 2016|accessdate=6 January 2016}}</ref> Five days later, Messi won the [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|FIFA Ballon d'Or]] for a record fifth time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2784555/lionel-messi-wins-2015-ballon-dor-ahead-of-ronaldo-neymar|title=Lionel Messi wins 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar|first=Dermot|last=Corrigon|date=12 January 2016}}</ref> On 3 February, he scored a hat-trick in Barcelona's 7–0 win against Valenciain the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Camp Nou, also scoring his 500th career goal in the process, including youth competitions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/02/03/lionel-messis-500th-goal-shows-off-scintillating-skill/|title=Lionel Messi's 500th goal shows off scintillating skill|work=The Washington Post|author1=Des Bieler|date=3 February 2016|accessdate=17 February 2016}}</ref> With teammate Luis Suárez scoring the other four goals in the same match, this was the first time that two players had scored at least three goals each at Camp Nou, and the first time since [[Luis Suárez (footballer, born 1935)|Luis Suárez Miramontes]] and [[Justo Tejada]] in 1956. The feat had only occurred three times before in the club's history, all at [[Camp de Les Corts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-s-luis-suarez-and-lionel-messi-make-history-at-camp-nou|title=Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi make history at Camp Nou|publisher=FCBarcelona.com|date=4 February 2016}}</ref> The next league match at Camp Nou, a 6–1 win against [[Celta de Vigo]], Messi assisted Suárez from a penalty kick. Some people saw it as "a touch of genius", while others criticised it as being disrespectful to the opponent. The Celta players, however, never complained and their coach defended the penalty, stating, "Barca's forwards are very respectful." The penalty routine has been compared to that of ''Barça'' icon Johan Cruyff in 1982, who was battling lung cancer, leading many fans to indicate that the penalty was a tribute to him. Cruyff himself was "very happy" with the play, insisting "it was legal and entertaining".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35578309|title=Barcelona penalty: Was it disrespectful or a touch of genius?|date=15 February 2016|work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/02/14/messi-suarez-team-up-for-audacious-penalty-kick.html|title=Messi, Suarez team up for audacious penalty kick|date=14 February 2016|work=[[Fox News Channel|FOX News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2809459/lionel-messi-luis-suarez-penalty-makes-johan-cruyff-happy|title=Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez penalty makes Johan Cruyff 'very happy'|date=17 February 2016|work=[[ESPN FC]]}}</ref>

On 17 February, Messi reached his 300th league goal in a 1–3 away win against [[Sporting de Gijón]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/leo-messi-breaks-the-300-goal-barrier-in-the-league|title=Leo Messi breaks the 300 goal barrier in the league|publisher=FCBarcelona|date=18 February 2016}}</ref> A few days later, he scored both goals in Barcelona's 0–2 win against Arsenal at the [[Emirates Stadium]], in the first leg of the [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League]] round of 16, with the second goal being Barcelona's 10,000th in official competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/barca-reach-10-000-goals-in-official-competition|title=Barça reach 10,000 goals in official competition|publisher=FCBarcelona|date=23 February 2016}}</ref> On 17 April, Messi ended a five-match scoring drought with his 500th senior career goal for club and country in Barcelona's 2–1 home loss to Valencia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/04/17/lionel-messi-scores-500th-goal-video-barcelona-argentina|title=Messi scores 500th goal: Barcelona star nets milestone|work=SI.com|date=17 April 2016|accessdate=17 April 2016}}</ref> Messi finished the 2015–16 season by setting up both goals in Barcelona's 2–0 [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]] win over Sevilla in the [[2016 Copa del Rey Final]], at the [[Vicente Calderón Stadium]], on 22 May 2016, as the club celebrated winning the [[Double (association football)#Spain|domestic double]] for the second consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2015_16/copa/final/bar_sev/|title=Messi sirve el doblete|trans_title=Messi hands out double|publisher=Marca|language=Spanish|date=22 May 2016|accessdate=23 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-fcb-reaction-idUKKCN0YE1BQ|title=Barca's double double hailed in Spanish media|publisher=Reuters|author1=Adriana Garcia|date=23 May 2016|accessdate=23 May 2016}}</ref> In total, Messi scored 41 goals and provided 23 assists, as Barcelona's attacking trio managed a Spanish record of 131 goals throughout the season, breaking the record they had set the previous season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/messi-suarez-and-neymar-jr-end-season-with-131-goals|title=Messi, Suárez and Neymar Jr end season with 131 goals|publisher=FC Barcelona|author1=Robert Güell|date=23 May 2016|accessdate=24 May 2016}}</ref>

===2016–17 season===

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="[Messi] is indispensable, but the rest of us are dispensable. – No, the club is bigger than any manager, than any player... except Leo. That's the reality, and you have to accept it."|source=—In an interview with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]'s official magazine, Messi's compatriot [[Javier Mascherano]] points out that Barcelona has continued to enjoy success despite the departures of its key figures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi is bigger than Barcelona and indispensable – Javier Mascherano |work=ESPN FC |date=17 February 2017 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/3062002/lionel-messi-is-bigger-than-barcelona-and-indispensable-javier-mascherano |accessdate=20 February 2017 |last=Marsden |first=Samuel }}</ref>}}

Messi opened the [[2016–17 FC Barcelona season|2016–17 season]] by lifting the [[2016 Supercopa de España]] as Barcelona's captain in the absence of the injured Andrés Iniesta;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/08/18/actualidad/1471475075_599601.html|title=Messi levanta la Supercopa|trans_title=Messi lifts the Supercup|publisher=El País|language=Spanish|author1=Ramon Besa|date=18 August 2016|accessdate=18 August 2016}}</ref> he set-up [[Munir El Haddadi|Munir]]'s goal in a 2–0 away win over Sevilla in the first leg on 14 August,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/08/15/57b0ea7522601dc5638b45b4.html|title=Barça tame Sevilla in Super Cup|publisher=Marca.com|author1=Arch bell|date=15 August 2016|accessdate=15 August 2016}}</ref> and subsequently scored and assisted in a 3–0 win in the return leg on 17 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-espana.net/60510/barca-seal-supercopa-de-espana|title=Barca seal Supercopa de Espana|publisher=Football España|date=17 August 2016|accessdate=18 August 2016}}</ref> Three days later, he scored two goals and provided an assist to lead Barcelona to a 6–2 victory against Real Betis in the opening game of the [[2016–17 La Liga]] season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/liga/2016-2017/barcelona-v-real-betis-live_sto5731413/story.shtml|title=Luis Suarez plunders hat-trick, Lionel Messi scores twice as Barca smash six past Betis|date=20 August 2016|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref> On 13 September 2016, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season in the opening game of the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League]] campaign against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in a 7–0 victory; this was also Messi's sixth hat-trick in the Champions League, the most by any player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3788856/Lionel-Messi-broke-Champions-League-hat-trick-record-against-Celtic-Barcelona-forward-s-European-trebles.html|title=Messi's Champions League hat-tricks after record-breaking Celtic tie|access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> A week later, Messi sustained a [[groin]] injury in a 1–1 draw against Atlético Madrid and was ruled out with injury for three weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2016-2017/leo-messi-out-for-three-weeks|title=Leo Messi out for three weeks {{!}} FC Barcelona|website=www.fcbarcelona.com|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> He marked his return with a goal, scoring three minutes after coming off the bench in a 4–0 home win over [[Deportivo de La Coruña]], on 16 October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beinsports.com/us/laliga/video/lionel-messi-scores-in-his-return-as-barcelon/353223|title=Lionel Messi Scores in His Return as Barcelona Roll Past Deportivo La Coruña|publisher=beIN SPorts|date=15 October 2016|accessdate=15 October 2016}}</ref> Three days after this, he netted his seventh Champions League hat-trick as Barcelona defeated [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] 4–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3852820/Barcelona-4-0-Manchester-City-Lionel-Messi-scores-hat-trick-Claudio-Bravo-sees-red-visitors.html|title=Lionel Messi scores a hat-trick as Claudio Bravo sees red for visitors|publisher=Daily Mail|author=Ian Ladyman|date=19 October 2016|accessdate=5 November 2016}}</ref> On 1 November, Messi scored his 54th Champions League group stage goal in Barcelona's 3–1 away return fixture to Manchester City, surpassing the previous record of 53 goals held by Raúl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/watch-lionel-messi-score-to-pass-raul-for-most-goals-in-the-ucl-group-stage-110116|title=Watch Lionel Messi score to pass Raul for most goals in the UCL group stage|publisher=Fox Sports|author=Alex Dowd|date=1 November 2016|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref> On 12 November, Messi placed second in the [[Ballon d'Or 2016|2016 Ballon d'Or]] behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed the award for the fourth time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.in/football/real-madrid/story/3018004/real-madrids-cristiano-ronaldo-beats-lionel-messi-to-win-ballon-dor|title=Ronaldo beats Messi for fourth Ballon d'Or|work=ESPN|accessdate=13 December 2016}}</ref> He finished the year with 51 goals, making him Europe's top scorer, one ahead of [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/top-goal-scorers-in-2016-messi-claims-crown-ibrahimovic-and-ronaldo-follow|title=Top goal scorers in 2016: Messi claims crown, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo follow|publisher=CBS Sports|author=Roger Gonzalez|date=31 December 2016|accessdate=12 February 2017}}</ref>

After placing second in the 2016 Ballon d'Or, on 9 January 2017 Messi also finished in second place – behind Cristiano Ronaldo once again – in [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016#The Best FIFA Men.27s Player|the 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/09/football/ronaldo-fifa-best-player-award-messi-football/|title=Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best FIFA Men's Player 2016 award|publisher=CNN|date=9 January 2017|accessdate=16 January 2017}}</ref> On 11 January, Messi scored from a free-kick in Barcelona's 3–1 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the round of 16 of the [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]], which enabled Barcelona to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition; with his 26th goal from a free-kick for Barcelona in all competitions, he equalled the club's all-time record, which had previously been set by [[Ronald Koeman]].<ref name="Lionel Messi equals Ronald Koeman's Barcelona free-kick record">{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/3036856/lionel-messi-equals-ronald-koemans-barcelona-free-kick-record|title=Lionel Messi equals Ronald Koeman's Barcelona free-kick record|publisher=ESPN FC|date=11 January 2017|accessdate=16 January 2017}}</ref> In his next league match, on 14 January, Messi scored in a 5–0 win against Las Palmas; with this goal, he equalled Raúl's record for the most number of teams scored against in La Liga (35).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/watch-lionel-messi-record-for-the-most-teams-scored-against-in-la-liga-011417|title=Watch Lionel Messi match record for the most La Liga teams scored against|publisher=Fox Sports|author=Caitlin Murray|date=14 January 2017|accessdate=16 January 2017}}</ref> On 4 February, Messi scored his 27th free-kick for Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the league, overtaking Koeman as the club's all-time top-scorer from free-kicks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/10756916/lionel-messi-embarrasses-gorka-iraizoz-with-free-kick-for-barcelona|title=Lionel Messi embarrasses Gorka Iraizoz with free-kick for Barcelona|publisher=Sky Sports|author=Paul Green|date=4 February 2017|accessdate=5 February 2017}}</ref> On 23 April, Messi scored twice in a 3–2 away win over Real Madrid. His game-winning goal in stoppage time was his 500th for Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/3106811/lionel-messi-scores-500th-goal-for-barcelona-against-real-madrid|title=Lionel Messi scores 500th goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid|publisher=ESPNFC|author=Staff|date= 23 April 2017|accessdate=24 April 2017}}</ref> On 27 May, Messi scored a goal and set up another for [[Paco Alcácer]] in the [[2017 Copa del Rey Final]], helping Barcelona to a 3–1 victory over [[Deportivo Alavés|Alavés]], and was named Man of the Match. In total, Messi finished the 2016–17 season with 54 goals and 16 assists, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the Pichichi and European Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/27/barcelona-alaves-copa-del-rey-final|title=Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona to Copa del Rey final triumph against Alavés|publisher=The Guardian|date=27 May 2017|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/05/22/5922170046163f96308b456e.html|title=Messi wins fourth Golden Boot|publisher=Marca|author1=M. Carmen Torres|author2=Pablo Mosquera|date=22 May 2017|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref>

==Argentina national team==

===2004–05: Success at youth level===
As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi was eligible to play for the national team of both countries.<ref name="The Burden of Being Messi">{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Himmelman |title=The Burden of Being Messi|newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 June 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html?_r=0 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> Selectors for Spain's Under-17 squad began pursuing him in 2003 after Barcelona's director of football, [[Carles Rexach]], alerted the Royal Spanish Football Federation to their young player. Messi declined the offer, having aspired to represent ''La Albiceleste'' since childhood. To further prevent Spain from taking him, the [[Argentine Football Association]] organised two under-20 friendlies in June 2004, against Paraguay and Uruguay, with the purpose of finalising his status as an Argentina player in [[FIFA]]. Five days after his 17th birthday, on 29 June, he made his debut for his country against Paraguay, scoring once and providing two assists in their 8–0 victory. He was subsequently included in the squad for the [[2005 South American U-20 Championship|South American Youth Championship]], held in Colombia in February 2005. As he lacked the stamina of his teammates, the result of his former growth hormone deficiency, he was used as a substitute in six of the nine games, proving more effective when coming on in the second half. After being named man of the match against Venezuela, he scored the winning 2–1 goal in the crucial last match against Brazil, thereby securing their third-place qualification for the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|FIFA World Youth Championship]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}}

Aware of his physical limitations, Messi employed a personal trainer to increase his muscle mass, returning to the squad in improved condition in time for the World Youth Championship, hosted by the Netherlands in June 2005. After he was left out of the starting line-up in their first match against the United States, a 1–0 defeat, the squad's senior players asked manager Francisco Ferraro to let Messi start, as they considered him their best player. After helping the team defeat Egypt and Germany to progress past the group stage, Messi proved decisive in the knockout phase as he scored their equaliser against Colombia, provided a goal and an assist against title favourites Spain, and scored their opening goal against reigning champions Brazil. Ahead of the final, he was awarded the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Awards|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the tournament. He scored two penalties in their 2–1 victory over Nigeria, clinching Argentina's fifth championship and finishing the tournament as top scorer with 6 goals.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=220–240}}<ref name="Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands">{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands |publisher=FIFA |date=July 2005 |url=http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> His performances drew comparisons with compatriot [[Diego Maradona]], who had led Argentina to the [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship|title in 1979]].<ref name="Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands"/>

===2005–06: Senior and World Cup debuts===
In recognition of his achievements with the under-20 side, senior manager [[José Pékerman]] gave Messi his first call-up for a friendly against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] on 17 August 2005. Aged 18, Messi made his senior debut for Argentina when he came on in the 63rd minute, only to be sent off after two minutes for a perceived foul against [[Vilmos Vanczák]], who had grabbed his shirt; Messi had struck the defender with his arm while trying to shake him off, which the referee interpreted as an intentional elbowing, a contentious decision.<ref>{{cite web |first=Tim |last=Vickery |title=Messi Handles 'New Maradona' Tag |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_football/4172400.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> Messi was reportedly found weeping in the dressing room after his sending-off.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Debut Dream Turns Sour |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/339694/messis-debut-dream-turns-sour |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> He returned to the team on 3 September in their World Cup qualifier defeat to [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]], which he had declared his "re-debut" ahead of the match.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Tries Again as Argentina Face Paraguay |publisher=ESPN FC |date=2 September 2005 |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=178848&cc=5739 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224026/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=178848&cc=5739 |archivedate=28 June 2011 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> Messi started his first game in the next qualifying match against [[Peru national football team|Peru]], in which he was able to win a crucial penalty that secured their victory. After the match, Pékerman described him as "a jewel".<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Is a Jewel Says Argentina Coach |publisher=ESPN FC |date=10 October 2005 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/345383/messi-is-a-jewel-says-argentina-coach |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> He subsequently made regular appearances for the team ahead of Argentina's participation in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], scoring his first goal in a friendly against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] on 1 March 2006.<ref name="Century of International Appearances">{{cite web |first=Roberto |last=Mamrud |title=Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> A hamstring injury sustained a week later jeopardised his presence in the World Cup, but he was nevertheless selected for Pékerman's squad and regained fitness in time for the start of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |first=Tim |last=Vickery |title=Messi Comes of Age |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/argentina/5047440.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>

During the World Cup in Germany, Messi witnessed their opening match victory against the [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] from the substitutes' bench. In the next match, against [[Serbia national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]], he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a [[FIFA World Cup]] when he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute. He assisted their fourth strike within minutes and scored the final goal in their 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth-youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.<ref name="Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro">{{cite web |title=Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> As their progression to the knockout phase was secured, several starters were rested during the last group match. Messi consequently started the game against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], a 0–0 draw, as they won their group on goal differential.<ref>{{cite web |title=Holland 0–0 Argentina |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853328.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=470–471}} In the round of 16 match against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], played on his 19th birthday, Messi came on in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 1–1. He appeared to score a goal, but it was contentiously ruled [[Offside (association football)|offside]], with the team needing a late goal in extra time to proceed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Argentina 2–1 Mexico (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991492.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=485–486}} He did not play in the quarter-final against Germany, during which Argentina were eliminated 4–2 in a penalty shootout.<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany 1–1 Argentina |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991602.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=492–493}} Back home, Pékerman's decision to leave him on the bench against Germany led to widespread criticism from those who believed Messi could have changed the outcome of the match in Argentina's favour.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=382–383}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentines Wonder Why Messi Sat Out |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 July 2006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/sports/02iht-wcargentina.2100484.html?_r=0 |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>

===2007–08: Copa América final and Olympic gold===
[[File:Olymics final 2008.jpg|thumb|Messi evades Brazil's [[Marcelo (footballer, born 1988)|Marcelo]] in the semi-final of the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]].]]

As Messi evolved into one of the best players in the world, he secured a place in [[Alfio Basile]]'s starting line-up, as part of a team considered favourites to win the [[2007 Copa América]], held in Venezuela.<ref name="Messi: I'm Not the Best"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} He set up the game-winning goal of their 4–1 victory over the [[United States national men's soccer team|United States]] in the opening match, before winning a penalty that led to the game-tying first strike of their 4–2 win in the next match against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Argentina into Last Eight of Copa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 July 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6263888.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tevez Nets in Argentina Victory |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6252156.stm |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> As they had secured their place in the knockout phase, Messi started the next game on the bench, coming on in the last 25 minutes with the score at 0–0 to help his team defeat Paraguay by assisting their only goal. At the quarter-final stage, where the group winners faced Peru, he scored the second goal of a 4–0 victory that saw them through to the semi-final, during which he chipped the ball over Mexico's goalkeeper to ensure another 3–0 win.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} In a surprise defeat, Argentina lost the final 3–0 to a [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] squad which lacked several of the nation's best players.<ref name="Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América">{{cite news |title=Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 July 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/sports/soccer/16soccer.html |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> Their unexpected loss was followed by much criticism in Argentina, though Messi was mostly exempt due to his young age and secondary status to star player [[Juan Román Riquelme]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} He was named the best young player of the tournament by [[CONMEBOL]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=156}}

Ahead of the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]], Barcelona legally barred Messi from representing Argentina at the tournament as it coincided with their Champions League qualifying matches.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Homewood |title=Court Blocks Messi from Olympics Soccer |publisher=Reuters |date=6 August 2008 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/08/06/us-olympics-soccer-messi-idUSB29154520080806 |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref> After interference from newly appointed Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who had won the [[Football at the 1992 Summer Olympics|tournament in 1992]], Messi was permitted to join [[Sergio Batista]]'s under-23 squad in [[Beijing]].{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=63–64}} During the first match, he scored the opening goal and assisted another in their 2–1 victory over the [[Ivory Coast national under-23 football team|Ivory Coast]]. Following a 1–0 win in the next group match against [[Australia national under-23 soccer team|Australia]], ensuring their quarter-final qualification, Messi was rested during the game against Serbia, while his side won the match to finish first in their group. Against the Netherlands, he again scored the first goal and assisted a second strike to help his team to a 2–1 win in extra time. After a 3–0 semi-final victory over [[Brazil national under-23 football team|Brazil]], Messi assisted the only goal in the final as Argentina defeated [[Nigeria national under-23 football team|Nigeria]] to claim [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medal]]s.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}} Along with Riquelme, Messi was singled out by FIFA as the stand-out player from the tournament's best team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report and Statistics: Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments Beijing 2008 |publisher=FIFA |p=21 |format=PDF |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>

===2008–11: Collective decline===
From late 2008, the national team experienced a three-year period marked by poor performances.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=384–387}} Under manager Diego Maradona, who had led Argentina to World Cup victory as a player, the team struggled to qualify for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], securing their place in the tournament only after defeating [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] 1–0 in their last qualifying match. Maradona was criticised for his strategic decisions as he played Messi out of position, positioned too deep for him to be able to contribute to the attack to his full ability. In eight qualifying matches under Maradona's stewardship, Messi scored only one goal, netting the opening goal in the first such match, a 4–0 victory over [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]].<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} During that game, played on 28 March 2009, he wore Argentina's number 10 shirt for the first time, following the international retirement of Riquelme.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Chadband |title=Lionel Messi Can Achieve More at Barcelona than Diego Maradona |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 April 2009 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/5231676/Lionel-Messi-can-achieve-more-at-Barcelona-than-Diego-Maradona.html |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> Overall, Messi scored four goals in 18 appearances during the qualifying process.<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/> Ahead of the tournament, Maradona visited Messi in Barcelona to request his tactical input; Messi then outlined a 4–3–1–2 formation with himself playing behind the two strikers, a playmaking position known as the ''enganche'' in Argentine football, which had been his preferred position since childhood.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=155–156, 405–406}}

[[File:Messi Copa America 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Messi in action during the opening match against Bolivia in the [[2011 Copa América]]]]

Despite their poor qualifying campaign, Argentina were considered title contenders at the World Cup in South Africa. At the start of the tournament, the new formation proved effective; Messi managed at least four attempts on goal during their opening match but was repeatedly denied by [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]'s goalkeeper, resulting in a 1–0 win. During the next match, against [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], he excelled in his playmaking role, participating in all four goals of his side's 4–1 victory. As their place in the knockout phase was guaranteed, most of the starters were rested during the last group match, but Messi reportedly refused to be benched.{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} He wore the captain's armband for the first time in their 2–0 win against [[Greece national football team|Greece]]; as the focal point of their play, he helped create their second goal to see Argentina finish as group winners.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rory |last=Smith |title=Greece 0 Argentina 2: Match Report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 June 2010 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/news/7842201/Greece-0-Argentina-2-match-report.html |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Rex |last=Gowar |title=Messi Captains Argentina for First Time |publisher=Reuters |date=22 June 2010 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/06/22/us-soccer-world-greece-argentina-teams-idUSTRE65L4TE20100622 |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> In the round of 16, they defeated Mexico 3–1, with Messi assisting their first goal, a controversial strike that stood despite being offside.{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=564–567}}

Argentina's unstructured defence had proved a liability throughout the World Cup and finally led to their elimination in the quarter-final against Germany, at the same stage of the tournament and by the same opponent as four years earlier. Their 4–0 loss was their worst margin of defeat since 1974.{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=564–567}} FIFA subsequently identified Messi as one of the tournament's 10 best players, citing his "outstanding" pace and creativity and "spectacular and efficient" dribbling, shooting and passing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adidas Golden Ball Nominees Announced |publisher=FIFA |date=9 July 2010 |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=7/news=adidas-golden-ball-nominees-announced-1270753.html |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> Back home, however, Messi was the subject of far harsher judgement. As the perceived best player in the world, he had been expected to lead an average team to the title, as Maradona arguably [[1986 FIFA World Cup|did in 1986]], but he had failed to replicate his performances at Barcelona with the national team, leading to the accusation that he cared less about his country than his club.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}<ref name="Holland vs Argentina: How Coach Alejandro Sabella Persuaded Lionel Messi Not to Quit the National Team">{{cite news |first=Guillem |last=Balagué |title=Holland vs Argentina: How Coach Alejandro Sabella Persuaded Lionel Messi Not to Quit the National Team |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=8 July 2014 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/argentina/10954975/Holland-vs-Argentina-How-coach-Alejandro-Sabella-persuaded-Lionel-Messi-not-to-quit-the-national-team.html |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref>

Maradona was replaced by Sergio Batista, who had orchestrated Argentina's Olympic victory. Batista publicly stated that he intended to build the team around Messi, employing him as a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]] within a 4–3–3 system, as used to much success by Barcelona.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}<ref name="Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role">{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Cox |title=Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role |publisher=ESPN FC |date=13 November 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> Although Messi scored a record 53 goals during the 2010–11 club season, he had not scored for Argentina in an official match since March 2009.<ref name="Matches 2010–11"/><ref name="Century of International Appearances"/> Despite the tactical change, his goal drought continued during the [[2011 Copa América]], hosted by Argentina. Their first two matches, against Bolivia and Colombia, ended in draws, with Messi underperforming by his standards. Media and fans noted that he did not combine well with striker [[Carlos Tevez]], who enjoyed far greater popularity among the Argentine public; Messi was consequently booed by his own team's supporters for the first time in his career. During the crucial next match, with Tevez on the bench, he gave a well-received performance, assisting two goals in their 3–0 victory over [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]]. After the quarter-final against Uruguay ended in a 1–1 draw following extra time, with Messi having assisted their equaliser, Argentina were eliminated 4–5 in the penalty shootout by the eventual champions.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}

===2011–13: Assuming the captaincy===
[[File:Suisse vs Argentine - Granit Xhaka & Lionel Messi crop.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi scored his first international [[hat-trick]] against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] in February 2012.]]

After Argentina's unsuccessful performance in the Copa América, Batista was replaced by [[Alejandro Sabella]]. Upon his appointment in August 2011, Sabella awarded the 24-year-old Messi the captaincy of the squad, in accord with then-captain [[Javier Mascherano]]. Reserved by nature, Messi went on to lead his squad by example as their best player, while Mascherano continued to fulfil the role of the team's on-field leader and motivator.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=If Messi Is Argentina's Star, Then Mascherano Is the Glue |newspaper=The New York Times |date=10 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/sports/soccer/if-messi-is-argentinas-star-then-mascherano-is-the-glue.html |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> In a further redesign of the team, Sabella dismissed Tevez and brought in players with whom Messi had won the World Youth Championship and Olympic Games. Now playing in a free role in an improving team, Messi finally ended his goal drought by scoring during their first World Cup qualifying match against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] on 7 October, his first official goal for Argentina in two-and-a-half years.<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}}

Under Sabella, Messi's goalscoring rate drastically increased; where he had scored only 17 goals in 61 matches under his previous managers, he scored 25 times in 32 appearances during the following three years.<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}} He netted a total of 12 goals in 9 games for Argentina in 2012, equalling the record held by [[Gabriel Batistuta]], Argentina's all-time top scorer, for the most goals scored in a calendar year for their country.<ref name="Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers">{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Adamson |title=Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 December 2012 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/dec/10/lionel-messi-record-year-numbers |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Bryan |title=Record-Breaking Messi Sees the Bigger Picture |publisher=UEFA |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=1906190.html |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> His first hat-trick with the ''Albicelestes'' came in a friendly against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] on 29 February 2012, followed by two more hat-tricks over the next year-and-a-half in friendlies against Brazil and [[Guatemala national football team|Guatemala]]. Messi then helped the team secure their place in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] with a 5–2 victory over Paraguay on 10 September 2013; in addition to providing an assist, he scored twice from a penalty kick, taking his international tally to 37 goals to become Argentina's second-highest goalscorer behind only Batistuta. Overall, he had scored a total of 10 goals in 14 matches during the qualifying campaign.<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/><ref>{{cite journal |title=FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Paraguay 2 Argentina 5 |journal=FourFourTwo |date=11 September 2013 |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-paraguay-2-argentina-5 |accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref> Concurrently with his bettered performances, his relationship with his compatriots improved, as he gradually began to be perceived more favourably in Argentina.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=595–602}}

===2014–15: World Cup and Copa América finals===
Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, doubts persisted over Messi's form, as he finished an unsuccessful and injury-plagued season with Barcelona. At the start of the tournament, however, he gave strong performances, being elected man of the match in their first four matches.<ref name="Lionel Messi and Argentina in Tune at Last despite Tough Start to World Cup"/><ref name="2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Technical Report and Statistics">{{cite web |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Technical Report and Statistics |publisher=FIFA |pages=170–171 |format=PDF |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/footballdevelopment/technicalsupport/02/42/15/40/2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014web_neutral.pdf |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> In his first World Cup match as captain, he led them to a 2–1 victory over [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]; he helped create their early opening goal and scored their second strike after a dribble past three players, his first World Cup goal since his debut in the tournament eight years earlier.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=Argentina 2–1 Bos-Herce |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285099 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> During the second match against [[Iran national football team|Iran]], he scored an injury-time goal from {{convert|25|yd|m|disp=out|abbr=off}} out to end the game in a 1–0 win, securing their qualification for the knockout phase.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Smyth |title=Argentina v Iran, World Cup 2014: Live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 June 2014 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10916423/Argentina-vs-Iran-World-Cup-2014-live.html |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> He scored twice in the last group match, a 3–2 victory over Nigeria, his second goal from a free kick, as they finished first in their group.<ref>{{cite web |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Nigeria 2–3 Argentina |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285406 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> Messi assisted a late goal in extra time to ensure a 1–0 win against Switzerland in the round of 16, before starting the play that led to their match-winning 1–0 goal in the quarter-final against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]], helping Argentina progress to the semi-final of the World Cup for the first time [[1990 FIFA World Cup|since 1990]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |title=Argentina 1–0 Switzerland |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27990606 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ken |last=Ferris |title=Argentina Beat Belgium to Reach First Semi since 1990 |publisher=Reuters |date=5 July 2014 |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/07/05/soccer-world-m60-arg-bel-idINKBN0FA0PA20140705 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> Following a 0–0 draw in extra time, they eliminated the Netherlands 4–2 in a penalty shootout to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Netherlands 0–0 Argentina |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28122293 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Messi in Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 -2014-07-13 (24).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Messi battles Germany's [[Mats Hummels]] for the ball during the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].]]

Billed as Messi versus Germany, the world's best player against the best team, the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] was a repeat of the [[1990 FIFA World Cup Final|1990 final]] featuring Diego Maradona.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Matthew |last=Futterman |title=The World Cup Final: The Best Team vs. the Best Player |journal=The Wall Street Journal |date=11 July 2014 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-world-cup-final-the-best-team-vs-the-best-player-1405115575 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Mueller Is the World Cup Superstar Messi Only Dreams of Being |publisher=Eurosport |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/the-rio-report/mueller-world-cup-superstar-messi-wishes-could-132854319.html |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> Within the first half-hour, Messi had started the play that led to a goal, but it was ruled offside. He missed several opportunities to open the scoring throughout the match, in particular at the start of the second half when his breakaway effort went wide of the far post. Substitute [[Mario Götze]] finally scored in the 113th minute, followed in the last minute of extra time by a free kick that Messi sent over the net, as Germany won the match 1–0 to claim the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Murray |title=World Cup Final 2014: Germany v Argentina – as It Happened |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 July 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/world-cup-final-2014-germany-v-argentina-live-report |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> At the conclusion of the final, Messi was awarded the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the tournament. In addition to being the joint third-highest goalscorer, with four goals and an assist, he created the most chances, completed the most dribbling runs, made the most deliveries into the penalty area and produced the most throughballs in the competition.<ref name="2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Technical Report and Statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Bate |title=World Cup Final: Was Lionel Messi Really a Disappointment in Brazil or Have We Just Become Numb to His Genius? |publisher=Sky Sports |date=16 July 2014 |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15241/9381511/world-cup-final-was-lionel-messi-really-a-disappointment-in-brazil-or-have-we-just-become-numb-to-his-genius |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> However, his selection drew criticism due to his lack of goals in the knockout round; FIFA President [[Sepp Blatter]] expressed his surprise, while Maradona suggested that Messi had undeservedly been chosen for marketing purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi Golden Ball Surprised Sepp Blatter |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2014 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28294339 |accessdate=14 August 2014}}</ref>

Another final appearance, the third of Messi's senior international career, followed in the [[2015 Copa América]], held in Chile. Under the stewardship of former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino, Argentina entered the tournament as title contenders due to their second-place achievement at the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerardo 'Tata' Martino Appointed Argentina Coach |publisher=CNN |date=13 August 2014 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/13/sport/football/gerardo-tata-martino-argentina-football/ |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Rex |last1=Gowar |first2=Santiago |last2=Torres |first3=Justin |last3=Palmer |title=Messi Bemoans Scoring Difficulties at Copa América |publisher=Reuters |date=29 June 2015 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/29/us-soccer-copa-argentina-idUSKCN0P91I820150629 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> During the opening match against Paraguay, they were ahead two goals by half-time but lost their lead to end the match in a 2–2 draw; Messi had scored from a penalty kick, netting his only goal in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Argentina 2–2 Paraguay |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33081605 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> Following a 1–0 win against defending champions Uruguay, Messi earned his [[List of footballers with 100 or more caps|100th cap]] for his country in the final group match, a 1–0 win over [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]], becoming only the fifth Argentine to achieve this milestone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Agüero Header Gives Argentina Copa América Win over Uruguay |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 June 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/17/argentina-uruguay-copa-america-match-report |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi Wins 100th Argentina Cap">{{cite web |first1=Gideon |last1=Long |first2=Tony |last2=Jimenez |title=Messi Wins 100th Argentina Cap |publisher=Reuters |date=21 June 2015 |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/06/21/soccer-copa-messi-idINKBN0P106720150621 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> In his 100 appearances, he had scored a total of 46 goals for Argentina, 22 of which came in official competitive matches.<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/><ref name="Messi Wins 100th Argentina Cap"/>

As Messi evolved from the team's symbolic captain into a genuine leader, he led Argentina to the knockout stage as group winners.<ref name="Even Hostile Chile Fans Forced to Acknowledge Lionel Messi's Greatness">{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Even Hostile Chile Fans Forced to Acknowledge Lionel Messi's Greatness |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/01/lionel-messi-copa-america-argetina-greatness |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Argentina Win Group B after Hard-Fought Victory over Jamaica |publisher=FOX Soccer |date=20 June 2015 |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/argentina-group-b-copa-america-hard-fought-victory-jamaica-match-report-gonzalo-higuain-062015 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> In the quarter-final, they created numerous chances, including a rebound header by Messi, but were repeatedly denied by Colombia's goalkeeper, and ultimately ended the match scoreless, leading to a 5–4 penalty shootout in their favour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Argentina Beat Colombia on Penalties to Reach Copa America Semifinal |publisher=ESPN FC |date=26 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/match/424362/argentina-colombia/report |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> At the semi-final stage, Messi excelled as playmaker as he provided three assists and helped create three more goals in his side's 6–1 victory over Paraguay, receiving applause from the initially hostile crowd.<ref name="Even Hostile Chile Fans Forced to Acknowledge Lionel Messi's Greatness"/> Argentina started the [[2015 Copa América Final|final]] as the odds-on title favourites, but were defeated by Chile 4–1 in a penalty shootout after an 0–0 extra-time draw. Faced with aggression from opposing players, including taking a boot to the midriff, Messi played below his standards, though he was the only Argentine to successfully convert his penalty.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Hosts Chile Stun Argentina to Claim First Copa América Title on Penalties |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/05/chile-argentina-copa-america-final-match-report |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Rosalba |last=O'Brien |title=Argentina Odds-On Favorites to Lift Copa America |publisher=Reuters |date=1 July 2015 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/01/us-soccer-copa-odds-idUSKCN0PB5RG20150701 |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the [[2015 Copa América#Awards|Most Valuable Player]] award but rejected the honour.<ref name="Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa América Defeat">{{cite web |first=Adriana |last=Garcia |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa América Defeat |publisher=ESPN FC |date=7 July 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2514749/lionel-messi-grateful-for-support-after-copa-america-defeat |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref> As Argentina continued a trophy drought that began in 1993, the World Cup and Copa América defeats again brought intense criticism for Messi from Argentine media and fans.<ref>{{cite news |first=Miguel |last=Delaney |title=Copa America 2015: 'Destroyed' Lionel Messi Hit by Argentina Trophy Drought |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 July 2015 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/copa-america-2015-destroyed-lionel-messi-hit-by-argentina-trophy-drought-10367380.html |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Ferris |title=Coach: I'd Have Stopped Playing for Argentina if I Was Messi |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 August 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/08/05/sports/soccer/05reuters-soccer-argentina-messi.html?ref=topics |accessdate=14 August 2015}}</ref>

===2016: Copa América Centenario, retirement, and return===
Messi's place in Argentina's [[Copa América Centenario]] squad was initially put in jeopardy when he sustained a back injury in a 1–0 friendly win over [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]] in a pre-Copa América warm-up match on 27 May 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/report?gameId=448440|title=Lionel Messi leaves Argentina's friendly win vs. Honduras with back injury|publisher=ESPN FC|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref> It was later reported that he had suffered a deep bruise in his lumbar region, but that he would remain in Martino's squad for the tournament,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/argentina/story/2881707/lionel-messi-leaves-argentina-friendly-vs-honduras-with-back-injury|title=Lionel Messi exits Argentina friendly win vs. Honduras with back injury|work=ESPN FC|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-trains-alone-ahead-argentinas-copa-america-opener#:yhwG0CUMKjyA6A|title=Messi trains alone ahead of Argentina's Copa America opener|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=4 June 2016|accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref> although he was later left on the bench in Argentina's 2–1 opening win over defending champions Chile on 6 June due to concerns regarding his fitness.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/07/argentina-top-chile-in-rematch-of-last-years-copa-america-final|title=Argentina top Chile in rematch of last year's Copa América final|work=The Guardian|date=7 June 2016|accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref> Although Messi was declared match-fit for his nation's second group match against [[Panama national football team|Panama]] on 10 June, Martino left him on the bench once again; he replaced [[Augusto Fernández]] in the 61st minute and subsequently scored a hat-trick in 19 minutes, also starting the play which led to [[Sergio Agüero]]'s goal, as the match ended in a 5–0 victory, sealing Argentina's place in the quarter-finals of the competition;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/10/lionel-messi-hat-trick-argentina-panama-copa-america|title=Lionel Messi scores brilliant hat-trick as Argentina surge into quarter-finals|work=The Guardian|date=11 June 2016|accessdate=11 June 2016}}</ref> he was elected man of the match for his performance.<ref name=MOTM-ARG-PAN>{{cite web|url=http://www.ca2016.com/matches/16|title=Match 16 : Argentina vs Panama|publisher=[[Copa América Centenario]]|date=10 June 2016|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref>

On 18 June 2016, in the quarter-final of the Copa América against Venezuela, Messi produced another man of the match performance,<ref name=MOTM-ARG-VEN>{{cite web|url=http://www.ca2016.com/matches/27 |title=Match 27 : Argentina vs Venezuela |publisher=[[Copa América Centenario]] |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=18 June 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= {{cbignore}}}}</ref> assisting two goals and scoring another in a 4–1 victory, which enabled him to equal Gabriel Batistuta's national record of 54 goals in official international matches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36569759|title=Copa America: Lionel Messi equals Gabriel Batistuta's Argentina record|date=19 June 2016|accessdate=19 June 2016|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> This record was broken three days later when Messi scored in a 4–0 win in the semi-final of the Copa América against hosts the United States; he also assisted two goals during the match as Argentina sealed a place in the final of the competition for a second consecutive year,<ref name="record">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi equals Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record |url=http://www.espnfc.com/argentina/story/2897489/lionel-messi-equals-argentinas-gabriel-batistuta-all-time-goal-scoring-record |work=ESPN FC |date=22 June 2016 |accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref> and was named man of the match once again.<ref name=MOTM-USA-ARG>{{cite web|url=http://www.ca2016.com/matches/29|title=Match 29 : United States vs Argentina|publisher=[[Copa América Centenario]]|date=21 June 2016|access-date=21 June 2016}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="I tried my hardest. It has been four finals, I want more than anyone to win a title with the national team, but unfortunately, it did not happen... I think this is best for everyone, firstly for me and for a lot of people that wish this. The team has ended for me, a decision made."|source=—Messi announcing his retirement on 27 June 2016<ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2016 |title=Devastated Messi announces likely retirement from Argentina|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/27/football/copa-america-lionel-messi/|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Messi retirement"/>}}

During a repeat of the previous year's [[Copa América Centenario Final|final]] on 26 June, Argentina once again lost to Chile on penalties after a 0–0 deadlock, resulting in Messi's third consecutive defeat in a major tournament final with Argentina, and his fourth overall. After the match, Messi, who had missed his penalty in the shootout, announced his retirement from international football. Sources reported that other Argentine players – Sergio Agüero, Javier Mascherano, [[Gonzalo Higuaín]], [[Lucas Biglia]], [[Éver Banega]], [[Ezequiel Lavezzi]] and [[Ángel Di María]] – could follow their captain in retiring from international football.<ref name="Messi retirement">{{cite news |date=27 June 2016 |title=Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile|url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2902891/lionel-messi-flags-potential-argentina-retirement-after-penalty-loss-to-chile|work=ESPN FC}}</ref> Chile coach [[Juan Antonio Pizzi]] said after the match, "My generation can't compare him to Maradona that's for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine football. But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States."<ref>{{cite news |date=26 June 2016 |title=Lionel Messi says his Argentina career is over after Copa América final defeat|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/27/lionel-messi-says-he-is-quitting-argentina-team-after-copa-america-final-defeat|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Messi finished the tournament as the second highest scorer, behind [[Eduardo Vargas]], with five goals, and was the highest assist provider with four assists, also winning more [[Copa América Centenario statistics#Man of the Match|Man of the Match awards]] than any other player in the tournament (3);<ref name="conmebol-stats">{{cite web|url=http://estadisticas.conmebol.com/html/v3/index.html?channel=deportes.futbol.copaamerica.statsCenterPerPlayer&lang=es_LA|title=CONMEBOL – stats}}</ref> he was named to the [[Copa América Centenario#Awards|team of the tournament]] for his performances, but missed out on the Golden Ball Award for best player, which went to [[Alexis Sánchez]].<ref name="Copa América 2016: Awards">{{cite web|title=Copa América 2016: Awards |publisher=Copa America Organisation |date=27 June 2016 |url=http://www.ca2016.com/awards |accessdate=27 June 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= {{cbignore}} }}</ref>

===="Don't go, Leo"====
Following his announcement, a campaign began in Argentina for Messi to change his mind about retiring.<ref>{{cite news |title= Argentina don't want Messi to retire|work=Sky Sports|url= http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12026/10327302/argentina-hope-lionel-messi-reconsiders-retirement-says-guillem-balague|date=28 June 2016}}</ref> He was greeted by fans with signs like "Don't go, Leo" when the team landed in [[Buenos Aires]]. [[President of Argentina]] [[Mauricio Macri]] urged Messi not to quit, stating, "We are lucky, it is one of life's pleasures, it is a gift from God to have the best player in the world in a footballing country like ours... Lionel Messi is the greatest thing we have in Argentina and we must take care of him."<ref>{{cite news |title= Messi 'God's gift' to Argentina – president|newspaper=AS|url= http://en.as.com/en/2016/06/28/football/1467141271_384638.html|date=28 June 2016}}</ref> Mayor of Buenos Aires [[Horacio Rodríguez Larreta]] unveiled a statue of Messi in the capital to convince him reconsider retirement.<ref>{{cite news |title= La Ciudad homenajeó a Lionel Messi con una estatua en el Paseo de la Gloria |newspaper=La Nacion (Argentine)|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1913400-la-ciudad-homenajeo-a-lionel-messi-con-una-estatua-en-el-paseo-de-la-gloria |date=28 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Inauguran en Buenos Aires una estatua en homenaje a Messi |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo (Spanish)|url= http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20160628/402829485468/inauguran-en-buenos-aires-estatua-en-homenaje-a-messi.html |date=28 June 2016}}</ref> On social networks, ''NoTeVayasLeo'' became a global [[trending topic]], and even a playlist on [[Spotify]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Desde Mauro Icardi y Puyol a Jorge Rial, los mensajes de aliento para Lionel Messi |newspaper=La Nacion (Argentine)|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1913146-desde-mauro-icardi-y-puyol-a-jorge-rial-los-mensajes-de-aliento-para-lionel-messi |date=27 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Fans, President, Maradona Want Messi to Reconsider |newspaper=New York Times|url= http://nytimes.com/aponline/2016/06/27/sports/soccer/ap-soc-argentina-messi-quits.html?_r=0&referer=|date=27 June 2016}}</ref> The campaign also continued in the streets and avenues of the Argentine capital, with about 50,000 supporters going to the [[Obelisco de Buenos Aires]] on 2 July, using the same slogan.<ref>{{cite news |title= #NoTeVayasLio, la campaña que inunda Argentina para pedir la continuidad de Messi |newspaper= [[Informativos Telecinco]] (Spanish)|url= http://www.telecinco.es/informativos/NotevayasLio-Argentina-Lional_Messi-Messi-seleccion_argentina_de_futbol_0_2202900468.html |date=28 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Macri, Maradona and the Argentine people rally together to prompt Messi U-turn |work= Sport|url= http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/world-football/macri-maradona-and-the-argentine-people-rally-together-prompt-messi-u-turn-5234915 |date=28 June 2016}}</ref>

====Return====
{{Quote box|quote="A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great."| source=—Messi reversing his decision from retiring on 12 August 2016<ref>{{cite news |date=12 August 2016 |title=Lionel Messi: Argentina striker reverses decision to retire from national team|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37066033}}</ref>|align=right|width=30%}}

Just a week after Messi announced his international retirement, Argentine newspaper ''[[La Nación]]'' reported that he was reconsidering playing for Argentina at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] in September.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Roger|title=La Nacion claims to know that Lionel Messi will return to Argentina national team|url=http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/report-friend-of-messi-hints-reconsidering-retirement-from-argentina/|work=[[CBSSports.com]]|date=3 July 2016|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> On 12 August, it was confirmed that Messi had reversed his decision to retire from international football, and he was included in the squad for the national team's upcoming [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2018 World Cup qualifiers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/argentina/story/2928133/lionel-messi-to-make-argentina-return-after-brief-international-retirement|title=Lionel Messi to make Argentina return after brief international retirement|publisher=ESPN FC|date=12 August 2016|accessdate=13 August 2016}}</ref> On 1 September, in his first game for Argentina after reversing his decision to retire, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 home win over Uruguay in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beinsports.com/en/world-cup-qualifiers/news/messi-strikes-back-as-argentina-sink-uruguay/328680|title=Messi strikes back as Argentina sink Uruguay|publisher=beIN SPORTS|date=1 September 2016|accessdate=1 September 2016}}</ref>

On 28 March 2017, Messi was suspended for four international games for insulting an assistant referee in a game against Chile on 23 March 2017. He was also fined CHF 10,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionel Messi suspended for four matches|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=3/news=lionel-messi-suspended-for-four-matches-2877817.html|publisher=FIFA.com|date=28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona and Argentina forward banned for 'insulting' assistant ref|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39423000|website=BBC Sport|date=28 March 2017}}</ref> On 5 May 2017, Messi's four match ban as well as his 10,000 CHF was lifted by [[FIFA]] after Argentina Football Association appealed against his suspension, which meant he could now play Argentina's remaining World Cup Qualifiers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=5/news=fifa-appeal-committee-passes-decision-on-lionel-messi-2882666.html|title=FIFA Appeal Committee passes decision on Lionel Messi|last=FIFA.com|date=2017-05-05|work=FIFA.com|access-date=2017-06-06|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Player profile==

===Style of play===
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="I have fun like a child in the street. When the day comes when I'm not enjoying it, I will leave football."|source=—Messi explains his approach to the game in May 2011.<ref name="Boy Genius"/>}}

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;<ref name="The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era">{{cite journal |first=Cordt |last=Schnibben |title=The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era |journal=Der Spiegel |date=6 June 2012 |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-837019.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World">{{cite news |first=Karl |last=Ritter |title=Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZWenjqJ/story.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> this has led the Spanish media to dub him ''La Pulga Atómica'' ("The Atomic Flea").<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, goals for 2010|publisher=Mundo Deportivo (Spanish)|date=7 December 2009|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938612.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi becomes the "Atomic Flea"|publisher=Goal (Spanish)|date=20 September 2012|url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-at%C3%B3mica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, The Atomic Flea who became the best in the world|publisher=AS (Spanish)|date=28 January 2016|url=http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colombia/1453936234_817270.html}}</ref> 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 (association football)|diving]] in a sport rife with playacting.<ref name="Here and Gone"/><ref name="Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World"/><ref name="Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player">{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Garside |title=Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 March 2010 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> 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#Association football|dribbling]] at speed.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lucas |last=Brown |title=Lionel Messi – the New Maradona? |publisher=UEFA |date=30 September 2005 |url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=347644.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it."<ref name="Lionel Messi (FT Magazine)"/> 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 [[Assist (football)|assists]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=553}}<ref name="Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful">{{cite news |first=Fabio |last=Monti |title=Controllo, Corsa, Tocco di Palla: Perché nel Calcio Piccolo è Bello |trans_title=Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |language=Italian |date=8 April 2010 |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 04 crop.jpg|thumb|Messi prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot during the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].]]

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 [[Playmaker|playmaking]] role, courtesy of his vision and precise passing, and is an accurate [[Direct free kick|free kick]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] taker,<ref name="Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World"/><ref name="Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best">{{cite web |first=Francesc |last=Tomas |title=Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> though his ability on penalties has somewhat deteriorated in recent seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.as.com/en/2016/03/12/football/1457806586_983686.html|title=The one record Messi's ashamed of: 7 missed penalties|publisher=as.com|author1=Juan Jiménez|date=12 March 2016|accessdate=8 November 2016}}</ref> His 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.<ref name="The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era"/><ref name="Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best"/> Widely considered to be the best dribbler in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6|title=Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend|publisher=Business Insider|author1=Scott Davis|date=6 June 2015|accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref> and one of the greatest of all time,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich|title=Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical rules|publisher=The Guardian|author1=Barney Ronay|date=7 May 2015|accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful"/> Beyond his individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative combinations, in particular with Barcelona midfielders [[Xavi]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]].<ref name="The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era"/><ref name="Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World"/>

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 [[Association football positions#Winger|left-winger]] or [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|left-sided forward]].{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=155–156, 405–406}} 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 (football)|curl]] shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly [[Cross (football)|cross]] balls for teammates.<ref name="Lionel Messi (FT Magazine)"/> Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a [[Forward (association football)#False 9|false nine]] role; positioned as a [[Forward (association football)#Centre-forward|centre-forward]] or lone [[Forward (association football)#Striker|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, dribbling runs or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.<ref name="Boy Genius"/> Under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, Messi returned to playing in the right-sided position that characterised much of his early career,<ref name="Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble"/> while also being deployed in a deeper, free role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html|title=In focus: Messi's changing role|publisher=UEFA.com|author=Richard Martin|date=19 April 2015|accessdate=8 November 2016}}</ref> With the Argentina national team, Messi has similarly played anywhere along the frontline; under various managers, he has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, or in a deeper, creative role as a classic number 10 or [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]].<ref name="Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role"/>

===Reception===
A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20.<ref name="Messi: I'm Not the Best"/> Diego Maradona considered the 18-year-old Messi the best player in the world alongside [[Ronaldinho]], while the Brazilian himself, shortly after winning the [[Ballon d'Or (1956–2009)|Ballon d'Or]], commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça," in reference to his protégé.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maradona Hails Messi as Successor |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Ball |title=Britain v Spain (Sort Of) |publisher=ESPN FC |date=23 February 2006 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> Four years later, after Messi had won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}} the public debate regarding his qualities as a player moved beyond his status in contemporary football to the possibility that he was the greatest player in history.<ref name="Magic in His Feet"/><ref name="Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Minshull |title=Is Messi the Greatest Ever? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2010 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshull/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> An early proponent was his then-manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, declared Messi to be the best player he had ever seen.<ref>{{cite news |title='Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Veré Jamás' |trans_title='Messi Is the Best Player I Have Ever Seen' |newspaper=El Mundo |language=Spanish |date=29 August 2009 |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/08/29/futbol/1251499664.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players,<ref name="Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever?"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 May 2011 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="'Watching Messi Is Like Having an Orgasm' – the Greatest Ever Quotes about Lionel Messi">{{cite web |title='Watching Messi Is Like Having an Orgasm' – the Greatest Ever Quotes about Lionel Messi |publisher=Eurosport |date=1 December 2014 |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/-watching-messi-is-like-having-an-orgasm----the-greatest-ever-quotes-about-lionel-messi-110003787.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> and by the end of Barça's second treble-winning season, Messi's superiority, ahead of Maradona and [[Pelé]], had become the predominant view among insiders in continental Europe.<ref name="Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All?">{{cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All? |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 May 2015 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-of-them-all-10287066.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Agence France-Presse |title=Magical Messi Grabs Hat-trick in Copa America as Argentina Romp into Quarters |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 June 2016 |quote=Widely regarded as the best footballer of all time, Lionel Messi ... has sublime balance and is able to dribble past defenders with almost inhuman ease. |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/ |accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref> A frequent dismissal, however, has centred on the fact that Messi has not won the [[FIFA World Cup]] with Argentina, leading some in the sport to instead cite him as the best club player in history.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Cairns |title=How Does Lionel Messi Stack up against Football Legends? |publisher=BBC Newsbeat |date=8 January 2013 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/20943498/how-does-lionel-messi-stack-up-against-football-legends |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=Carragher |title=Lionel Messi Is Simply the Greatest Club Player of All Time... He Has Outstripped Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer and Diego Maradona |newspaper=Daily Mail |date=8 May 2015 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3074067/Lionel-Messi-simply-greatest-club-player-time-outstripped-Alfredo-di-Stefano-Johan-Cruyff-Franz-Beckenbauer-Diego-Maradona.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Hailed as the Greatest by Experts |publisher=beIN Sports |date=7 August 2015 |url=http://www.beinsports.tv/news/article/14fekqktr2qxr11r94xgykunqu/title/football-la-liga-experts-on-lionel-messi |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="I've seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi."|source=—[[Diego Maradona]] hails the 18-year-old Messi as his [[New Maradona|successor]] in February 2006.<ref name="Maradona Hails His Successor"/>}}

Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his compatriot Diego Maradona, due to their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed dribblers. Initially, he was merely one of many young Argentine players, including his boyhood idol [[Pablo Aimar]], to receive the "[[New Maradona]]" moniker, but as his career progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing himself as the greatest player Argentina had produced since Maradona.<ref name="Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi"/>{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} [[Jorge Valdano]], who won the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] alongside Maradona, said in October 2013, "Messi is Maradona every day. For the last five years, Messi has been the Maradona of the World Cup in Mexico."<ref>{{cite web |title=Valdano: 'Messi Es Maradona Todos Los Días' |trans_title=Valdano: 'Messi Is Maradona Every Day' |publisher=FIFA |language=Spanish |date=7 October 2013 |url=http://es.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/219/194/9/index.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> [[César Menotti]], who as manager orchestrated their [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978 World Cup]] victory, echoed this sentiment when he opined that Messi plays "at the level of the best Maradona".<ref>{{cite news |title=Menotti: 'Messi Está al Nivel del Mejor Maradona Que Vi' |trans_title=Menotti: 'Messi Is at the Level of the Best Maradona That I Saw' |newspaper=AS |language=Spanish |date=10 January 2014 |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/01/10/primera/1389359391_638487.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> Other notable Argentines in the sport, such as [[Osvaldo Ardiles]], [[Javier Zanetti]], and [[Diego Simeone]], have expressed their belief that Messi has overtaken Maradona as the best player in history.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=7–8}}<ref>{{cite journal |first=Dan |last=Brennan |title=Face to Face: Javier Zanetti |journal=World Soccer |date=12 August 2013 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/face-to-face-javier-zanetti-341916 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Sin Dudas, Messi Es Mejor que Maradona' |trans_title='Without Doubt, Messi Is Better than Maradona' |newspaper=Clarín |date=31 December 2012 |language=Spanish |url=http://www.clarin.com/deportes/dudas-Messi-mejor-Maradona_0_838716136.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref>

In Argentine society, Messi is generally held in lesser esteem than Maradona, a consequence of not only his uneven performances with the national team, but also of differences in class, personality, and background. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football.<ref name="The Burden of Being Messi"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Adept? Yes. Adored? Not Yet. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Marcela |last=Mora y Araujo |title=Lionel Messi Is Not the New Maradona – He Can Be Better than That |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-argentina-barcelona |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> An enduring mark against him is the fact that, although through no fault of his own, he never proved himself in the [[Argentine Primera División]] as an upcoming player, achieving stardom overseas from a young age,<ref name="Here and Gone"/><ref name="The Burden of Being Messi"/> while his lack of outward passion for the ''Albiceleste'' shirt—he does not sing the national anthem and is disinclined to emotional displays—have in the past led to the false perception that he felt Catalan rather than truly Argentine.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}<ref name="Holland vs Argentina: How Coach Alejandro Sabella Persuaded Lionel Messi Not to Quit the National Team"/> Despite having lived in Spain since age 13, Messi has said: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy."<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Vomits Because of Nerves, Says Argentina's Alejandro Sabella |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 June 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> 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 haven't been given their salaries for six months. He has stepped in and paid the salaries of the three members.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel |newspaper=ESPN FC |date=24 June 2016 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team |newspaper=Marca |date=18 November 2016 |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/11/18/582f53b822601d46758b4610.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi's kind gesture to security staff with Argentina |newspaper=Sport |date=18 November 2016 |url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messis-kind-gesture-security-staff-with-argentina-5637486}}</ref>

===Comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo===
{{main article|Messi–Ronaldo rivalry}}
[[File:Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - Portugal vs Argentina, 9th February 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi has been [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|compared]] to [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] (left) for much of their careers.]]
Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Portuguese forward [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], as part of an [[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry|ongoing rivalry]] that has been compared to [[List of sports rivalries|past sports rivalries]] like the [[Muhammad Ali]]–[[Joe Frazier]] rivalry in boxing, the [[Björn Borg]]–[[John McEnroe]] [[Borg–McEnroe rivalry|rivalry]] in tennis, and the [[Ayrton Senna]]–[[Alain Prost]] rivalry from Formula One.<ref>{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=The Game's Best Rivalry |publisher=ESPN FC |date=28 November 2010 |url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi v Ronaldo |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 October 2011 |url=http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105413/http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archivedate=6 October 2014 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry,<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Blames Media for Inventing Rivalry with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=15 August 2012 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Snowball |title=Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not My Rival |publisher=Eurosport |date=11 June 2015 |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world:<ref name="Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi?"/> since 2008, Ronaldo has won four Ballons d'Or to Messi's five,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ballons d'Or winners list|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/|publisher=The Telegraph|date=2 April 2017}}</ref> and four [[European Golden Shoe]]s to Messi's three.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sorin |last=Arotaritei |first2=Roberto |last2=Di Maggio |first3=Karel |last3=Stokkermans |title=Golden Boot (Soulier d'Or) Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/gboot.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> Pundits and fans regularly argue the individual merits of both players;<ref name="Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi?"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Mendes |title=World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo's Personal Duel with Lionel Messi Is Affecting His Performances for Portugal |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 June 2014 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques—Ronaldo is {{height|m=1.85}} with a muscular build—and contrasting public personalities, with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics a foil to Messi's humility.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=Ronaldo May Look Like the Best, but There Is Someone Better |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 September 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Pedro |last=Pinto |first2=James |last2=Montague |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm Better than Messi |publisher=CNN |date=29 May 2012 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/football/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/ |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It">{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Lewis |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 November 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-portugal-football |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> Messi faces Ronaldo at least twice every season in ''[[El Clásico]]'', which ranks among the world's most viewed annual sports events.<ref name="50million"/> Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.<ref name="50million">{{cite journal |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Reaches $50 Million-A-Year Deal With Barcelona |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-year-deal-with-barcelona/ |journal=Forbes |date=16 May 2014 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
{{quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="That is me and Messi. We're right up there. Absolutely."|source=—US president [[Barack Obama]] when given an honorary number 10 jersey at the [[White House]].<ref>{{cite web|title=President Obama honors the Rapids|publisher=Colorado Rapids (Owned by Stan Kroenke)|date=27 June 2011 |url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2011/06/27/president-obama-honors-rapids|quote=THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely. That is me and Messi. We're right up there. Absolutely. (Laughter.)|accessdate=31 March 2017}}</ref>}}

According to ''[[France Football]]'', Messi was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014; he was the first player to exceed the €40&nbsp;million benchmark, with earnings of €41&nbsp;million in 2013, and the €50–€60&nbsp;million points, with income of €65&nbsp;million in 2014.<ref name="Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll"/><ref>{{cite journal |first=Jamie |last=Rainbow |title=Stat of the Day: Top 20 Best Paid Players and Coaches |journal=World Soccer |date=18 March 2014 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-best-paid-players-coaches-350260 |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Messi was second on ''[[Forbes]]'' list of the world's highest-paid athletes (after Cristiano Ronaldo) with income of $81.4 million from his salary and endorsements in 2015–16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo first footballer to top Forbes rich list of highest-earning athletes|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-footballer-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 June 2016|author=Ben Reynolds|accessdate=9 June 2016}}</ref> Since 2008, he has been Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from €7.8&nbsp;million to €13&nbsp;million over the next five years.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=472}}<ref name="Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=556}} His current salary of €20&nbsp;million net (€36&nbsp;million before taxes), established in 2014, is the highest ever in the sport.<ref name="Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll"/> In addition to his salary and multimillion-euro bonuses, much of his income derives from endorsements; ''[[SportsPro]]'' has consequently cited him as one of the world's most marketable athletes every year since their research began in 2010.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Michael |last=Long |title=The World's 50 Most Marketable 2015 |journal=SportsPro |date=20 May 2015 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> His main sponsor since 2006 is the sportswear company [[Adidas]]. As Barça's leading youth prospect, he had been signed with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] since age 14, but transferred to Adidas after they successfully challenged their rival's claim to his image rights in court.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=94–97}} Over time, Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser;<ref name="50million"/> from 2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, he became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of boots, the Adidas Messi.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retrospect: Adidas F50 Messi Collection |publisher=Soccer Bible |date=18 March 2015 |url=http://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2015/03/retrospect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/ |accessdate=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Backed by Messi |publisher=Adidas (press release) |date=25 September 2015 |url=http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |accessdate=11 December 2015}}</ref>

[[File:LIONEL MESSI - zona San Siro - Milano - Italy.JPG|thumb|left|A mural of Messi's likeness in the [[San Siro (district)|San Siro district]] of Milan, photographed in 2013]]

As a commercial entity, Messi's marketing brand has been based exclusively on his talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more glamorous players like Cristiano Ronaldo and [[David Beckham]]. At the start of his career, he thus mainly held sponsorship contracts with companies that employ sports-oriented marketing, such as Adidas, [[Pepsi]], and [[Konami]].<ref name="The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi">{{cite journal |title=The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi |journal=SportsPro |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Voted Soccer's Best, But Sponsors Stay Away |journal=Forbes |date=10 January 2011 |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-sponsors-stay-away/ |accessdate=11 December 2015}}</ref> From 2010 onwards, concurrently with his increased achievements as a player, his marketing appeal widened, leading to long-term endorsement deals with luxury brands [[Dolce & Gabbana]] and [[Audemars Piguet]].<ref name="The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi and Dolce & Gabbana: An Assist in Style |publisher=Dolce & Gabbana (press release) |format=PDF |url=http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Elizabeth |last=Doerr |title=Argentina vs. Switzerland FIFA World Cup Matchup: Leo Messi's Audemars Piguet Takes on Diego Benaglio's Carl F. Bucherer and More |journal=Forbes |date=1 July 2014 |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethdoerr/2014/07/01/argentina-vs-switzerland-fifa-world-cup-matchup-leo-messis-audemars-piguet-takes-on-diego-benaglios-carl-f-bucherer-and-more/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> Messi is also a global brand ambassador for [[Gillette (brand)|Gillette]], [[Turkish Airlines]], [[Ooredoo]], and [[Tata Motors]], among other companies.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Oliver |last=Millerchip |title=Messi to Front New Gillette Campaign |journal=SportsPro |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Argentine Soccer Star Leo Messi Named Global Brand Ambassador for Turkish Airlines |publisher=Reuters (press release) |date=6 December 2012 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Ian |last=McPherson |title=Messi Cashes in with Qatari Contract |journal=SportsPro |date=28 February 2013 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Is Global Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors |publisher=Firstpost |date=3 November 2015 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/tata-motors-ropes-in-lionel-messi-as-global-brand-ambassador-2492172.htmlv |accessdate=18 November 2015}}</ref> Additionally, Messi was the face of Konami's video game series ''[[Pro Evolution Soccer]]'', appearing on the covers of ''[[PES 2009]]'', ''[[PES 2010]]'' and ''[[PES 2011]]''. He subsequently signed with rival company [[EA Sports]] to become the face of their series ''[[FIFA (video game series)|FIFA]]'' and has since appeared on four consecutive covers from ''[[FIFA 13]]'' to ''[[FIFA 16]]''.{{sfn|Guinness World Records|2014|p=102}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lionel Messi to Star on Cover of EA Sports FIFA for Fourth Straight Year |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=15 June 2015 |url=http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cover# |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref>

Messi's global popularity and influence are well documented. He was among the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]], an annual list of the world's most influential people as published by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', in 2011 and 2012.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Thierry |last=Henry |title=The 2011 Time 100: Lionel Messi, God of the Field |journal=Time |date=21 April 2011 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Mia |last=Hamm |title=The World's 100 Most Influential People 2012: Lionel Messi |journal=Time |date=18 April 2012 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> His fanbase on the social media website [[Facebook]] is among the largest of all public figures: within seven hours of its launch in April 2011, his Facebook page had nearly seven&nbsp;million followers, and by November 2013, he had become only the second sportsperson, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to amass over 50&nbsp;million followers.<ref name="Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Joins Facebook, Nets 7m Followers |publisher=ESPN FC |date=6 April 2011 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-facebook-nets-7m-followers |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Karissa |last=Giuliano |title=The 10 Most Popular Celebrities on Facebook |publisher=CNBC |date=9 June 2015 |url=http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-facebook.html |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> According to a 2014 survey by sports research firm Repucom in 15 international markets, Messi was familiar to 87% of respondents around the world, of whom 78% perceived him favourably, making him the second-most recognised player globally, behind Ronaldo, and the most likable of all contemporary players.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Borg |title=Ballon D'Or: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo – Battle of the Brands |publisher=CNN |date=2 December 2014 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-real-madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Top 10 Most Marketable Footballers in the World |publisher=Repucom (press release) |date=28 May 2014 |url=http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref>

Other events have illustrated Messi's presence in popular culture. A solid gold replica of his left foot, weighing {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and valued at $5.25&nbsp;million, went on sale in Japan in March 2013 to raise funds for victims of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Left Foot – Yours for $5.25 Million |publisher=CNN |date=6 March 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-leo-messi-golden-foot/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> A 2013 Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi, in which he engages in a [[selfie]] competition with then-[[Los Angeles Lakers]] star [[Kobe Bryant]], was the most-watched ad on [[YouTube]] in the year of its release, receiving 137&nbsp;million views, and was subsequently voted the best advertisement of the 2005–15 decade to commemorate YouTube's founding.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Kaitlyn |last=Krasselt |title=Cannes to Cannes: YouTube's Most Viewed Ads |journal=USA Today |date=21 June 2014 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Laura |last=Lorenzetti |title=YouTube Users Say This Is the 'Ad of the Decade' |journal=Time |date=3 June 2015 |url=http://time.com/3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> [[World Press Photo]] selected "The Final Game", a photograph of Messi facing the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy|World Cup trophy]] after Argentina's final defeat to Germany, as the best sports image of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Best Sports Photo of the Year Goes To... Lionel Messi and 'the Final Game' |publisher=Eurosport |date=12 February 2015 |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/the-best-sports-photo-of-the-year-goes-to---lionel-messi-and--the-final-game--183718601.html |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref> ''[[Messi (film)|Messi]]'', a documentary about his life by filmmaker [[Álex de la Iglesia]], premiered at the [[Venice Film Festival]] in August 2014.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Andrew |last=Barker |title=Venice Film Review: 'Messi' |journal=Variety |date=27 August 2014 |url=http://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==

===Family and relationships===
Since 2008, when he was 20, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, a fellow native of [[Rosario]]. He has known Roccuzzo since he was five years old, as she is the cousin of his best friend since childhood, [[Lucas Scaglia]], who is also a football player. After keeping their relationship private for a year, Messi first confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009, before going public a month later during a carnival in [[Sitges]] after the Barcelona–Espanyol derby. He had previously been romantically linked with Argentine models Macarena Lemos and [[Luciana Salazar]].{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=196–197}}

[[File:Cristina Fernández y la Selección Argentina de fútbol 2014 ,3 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Messi pictured in July 2014]]

Messi and Roccuzzo have two sons: Thiago (born 2012) and Mateo (born 2015). 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Shares Baby Joy |publisher=beIN Sports |date=17 June 2012 |url=http://www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek9sw1ky0beeucau3b |archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-lZWZO2a5XMJ:www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek9sw1ky0beeucau3b&hl=en&gl=nl&strip=1&vwsrc=0 |archivedate=19 August 2015 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012, with Messi attending the birth after being given permission by Barcelona to miss training. He announced his son's arrival on his Facebook page, writing, "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!"<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Junior Named Thiago |publisher=ESPN FC |date=2 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-named-thiago |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> Thiago's name and handprints are tattooed on his left calf.{{sfn|Caioli|2015|loc=ch. 38}} In April 2015, Messi confirmed on Facebook that they were expecting another child.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says |publisher=ESPN FC |date=30 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2426028/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> He missed training ahead of a match against Atlético Madrid to attend the birth of his second son, Mateo, on 11 September 2015 in Barcelona.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Messi's Brother Confirms Birth of Barcelona Star's Second Child |journal=FourFourTwo |date=11 September 2015 |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messis-brother-confirms-birth-barcelona-stars-second-child |accessdate=11 September 2015}}</ref>

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 organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, and take care of personal and professional matters in Rosario.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=31, 143, 570}}

Since leaving for Spain at age 13, Messi has maintained close ties to his hometown of Rosario, even preserving his distinct Rosarino accent. He has kept ownership of his family's old house, although it has long stood empty; he maintains a penthouse apartment in an exclusive residential building for his mother, as well as a family compound just outside the city. Once when he was in training with the national team in Buenos Aires, he made a three-hour trip by car to Rosario immediately after practice to have dinner with his family, spent the night with them, and returned to Buenos Aires the next day in time for practice. Messi keeps in daily contact via phone and text with a small group of confidants in Rosario, most of whom were fellow members of "The Machine of '87" at Newell's Old Boys. Although considered a [[List of one-club men|one-club man]], he has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's. He was on bad terms with the club after his transfer to Barcelona, but by 2012 their public feud had ended, with Newell's embracing their ties with Messi, even issuing a club membership card to his newborn son.<ref name="Here and Gone"/>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Wright |title=After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's Old Boys |publisher=ESPN FC |date=5 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-planet-thiago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref>

===Charity===
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 [[UNICEF|United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF), an organisation with which Barcelona also have a strong association.<ref name="Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador">{{cite web |title=Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador |publisher=UNICEF |date=25 May 2012 |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52964.html |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |first2=Justin|last2=Palmer |title=Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016 |publisher=Reuters |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112 |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> Messi has served as a [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|UNICEF goodwill ambassador]] since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake|recent earthquake]]. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leo Messi Activity Highlights |publisher=UNICEF |date=14 May 2015 |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF |publisher=UNICEF (press release) |date=28 October 2013 |url=http://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Fast Facts |publisher=CNN |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/world/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/ |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} 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.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in Algeria |newspaper=Arab Times |date=3 August 2015 |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/ |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="'Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports">{{cite web |title='Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports |publisher=New England Sports Network |date=22 June 2012 |url=http://nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argentine-superstar-supports/ |accessdate=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Partners |publisher=Leo Messi Foundation |url=http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ |accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref>

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 [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] and [[Boca Juniors]] in Buenos Aires.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} At Newell's Old Boys, his boyhood club, he funded the 2012 construction of a new gymnasium and a dormitory inside the club's [[Estadio Marcelo Bielsa|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.<ref name="Here and Gone"/> On 7 June 2016, Messi won a libel case against [[La Razón (Madrid)|''La Razón'' newspaper]] and was awarded €65,000 in damages, which he donated to the charity [[Médecins Sans Frontières|Doctors without Borders]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damages-to-charity|title=Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity|publisher=ESPN FC|date=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/messi-wins-case-against-razon-newspaper-5185823|title=Messi wins a case against 'La Razon' newspaper|publisher=Sport|date=6 June 2016}}</ref>

===Legal issues===
Messi's financial affairs came under investigation in 2013 for suspected tax evasion. Offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were allegedly used to evade €4.1&nbsp;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&nbsp;million in August 2013. He stood trial alongside his father on three counts of tax evasion in May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mauritius |last=Much |first2=Bastian |last2=Obermayer |title=The Small Kaiser |newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=5 April 2016 |url=http://panamapapers.sueddeutsche.de/articles/57021852a1bb8d3c3495b438/ |accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref> On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were handed [[Suspended sentence|suspended]] 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7&nbsp;million and €1.4&nbsp;million in fines.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-prison-jail-sentence |title=Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences |work=SI.com|date=6 July 2016 |accessdate=6 July 2016}}</ref>

While the District Attorney did not consider there to be motives to accuse Messi, the state lawyer's office became the only party that requested a punishment for him, despite his declarations that he was not aware of any of the deals that were taking place with his money. Facing the [[judge]], he said, "I just played football."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-football-and-trusted-my-dad|title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father|work=ESPN FC|date=2 June 2016}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{{updated|27 May 2017}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[Copa del Rey]]
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Copa del Rey]], [[Coupe de France]], [[U.S. Open Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA Champions League|Champions<br>League]]
!colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|All appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], unless otherwise noted}}
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
Line 332: Line 243:
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]]
|[[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]]
|[[2003–04 Tercera División#Grupo V|2003–04]]{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=69–71}}
|{{nowrap|[[2003–04 Tercera División|2003–04]]{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=69–71}}}}
|[[Tercera División]]
|[[Tercera División]]
|10||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||5
|10||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!10!!5!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!10!!5
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]]
|[[2003–04 Segunda División B#Group III|2003–04]]<ref name="Matches 2003–04"/>
|[[2003–04 Segunda División B|2003–04]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref>
|rowspan="2"|[[Segunda División B]]
|[[Segunda División B]]
|5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|-
|-
|[[2004–05 Segunda División B#Group III|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05"/>
|[[2004–05 Segunda División B|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2004-05 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref>
|Segunda División B
|17||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||6
|17||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||6
|-
|-
Line 351: Line 260:
!22!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!22!!6
!22!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!22!!6
|-
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|rowspan="18"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05"/>
|[[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05" />
|rowspan="13"|[[La Liga]]
|[[La Liga]]
|7||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||9||1
|7||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||9||1
|-
|-
|[[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06]]<ref name="Matches 2005–06"/>
|[[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2005-06 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|17||6||2||1||6||1||0||0||25||8
|17||6||2||1||6||1||0||0||25||8
|-
|-
|[[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07]]<ref name="Matches 2006–07"/>
|[[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2006-07 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|26||14||2||2||5||1||3{{refn|group=lower-alpha|One appearance in [[2006 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances in [[2006 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]]}}||0||36||17
|26||14||2||2||5||1||3{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||0||36||17
|-
|-
|[[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08]]<ref name="Matches 2007–08"/>
|[[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2007–08 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2007-08 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|28||10||3||0||9||6||colspan="2"|—||40||16
|28||10||3||0||9||6||colspan="2"|—||40||16
|-
|-
|[[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]]<ref name="Matches 2008–09"/>
|[[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|31||23||8||6||12||9||colspan="2"|—||51||38
|31||23||8||6||12||9||colspan="2"|—||51||38
|-
|-
|[[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10]]<ref name="Matches 2009–10"/>
|[[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|35||34||3||1||11||8||4{{refn|group=lower-alpha|One appearance in [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]], one appearance and two goals in [[2009 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], two appearances and two goals in [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||4||53||47
|35||34||3||1||11||8||4{{efn|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]]}}||4||53||47
|-
|-
|[[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11]]<ref name="Matches 2010–11"/>
|[[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|33||31||7||7||13||12||2{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="SDE"|Appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||3||55||53
|33||31||7||7||13||12||2{{efn|name=SDE|Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España}}||3||55||53
|-
|-
|[[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12]]<ref name="Matches 2011–12"/>
|[[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|37||50||7||3||11||14||5{{refn|group=lower-alpha|One appearance and one goal in [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances and three goals in [[2011 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], two appearances and two goals in [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||6||60||73
|37||50||7||3||11||14||5{{efn|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}}||6||60||73
|-
|-
|[[2012–13 FC Barcelona season|2012–13]]<ref name="Matches 2012–13"/>
|[[2012–13 FC Barcelona season|2012–13]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2012–13 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2012-13 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|32||46||5||4||11||8||2{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="SDE"}}||2||50||60
|32||46||5||4||11||8||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||2||50||60
|-
|-
|[[2013–14 FC Barcelona season|2013–14]]<ref name="Matches 2012–13"/>
|[[2013–14 FC Barcelona season|2013–14]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2013–14 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2013-14 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|31||28||6||5||7||8||2{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="SDE"}}||0||46||41
|31||28||6||5||7||8||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||46||41
|-
|-
|[[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15]]<ref name="Matches 2014–15"/>
|[[2014–15 FC Barcelona season|2014–15]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2014–15 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2014-15 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|38||43||6||5||13||10||colspan="2"|—||57||58
|38||43||6||5||13||10||colspan="2"|—||57||58
|-
|-
|[[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|2015–16]]<ref name="Matches 2015–16">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2015–16 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2015-16 |accessdate=6 September 2015}}</ref>
|[[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|2015–16]]<ref name="Matches 2015–16">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2015–16 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2015-16 |access-date=6 September 2015}}</ref>
|La Liga
|33||26||5||5||7||6||4{{refn|group=lower-alpha|One appearance and two goals in [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances and one goal in [[2015 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], one appearance and one goal in [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||4||49||41
|33||26||5||5||7||6||4{{efn|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}}||4||49||41
|-
|-
|[[2016–17 FC Barcelona season|2016–17]]<ref name="Matches 2016–17">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2016–17 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?cat=-&temp=2016-17&equip=-&rival=- |accessdate=27 October 2016}}</ref>
|[[2016–17 FC Barcelona season|2016–17]]<ref name="Matches 2016–17">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2016–17 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2016-17 |access-date=27 October 2016}}</ref>
|La Liga

|34||37||7||5||9||11||2{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="SDE"}}||1||52||54
|34||37||7||5||9||11||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||1||52||54
|-
|[[2017–18 FC Barcelona season|2017–18]]<ref name="Matches 2017–18">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2017–18 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2017-18 |access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>
|La Liga
|36||34||6||4||10||6||2{{efn|name=SDE}}||1||54||45
|-
|[[2018–19 FC Barcelona season|2018–19]]<ref name="Matches 2018–19">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2018–19 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2018-19 |access-date=27 August 2018}}</ref>
|La Liga
|34||36||5||3||10||12||1{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||50||51
|-
|[[2019–20 FC Barcelona season|2019–20]]<ref name="Matches 2019–20">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2019–20 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2019-20 |access-date=17 September 2019}}</ref>
|La Liga
|33||25||2||2||8||3||1{{efn|name=SDE}}||1||44||31
|-
|[[2020–21 FC Barcelona season|2020–21]]<ref name="Matches 2020–21">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2020–21 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2020-21 |access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
|La Liga
|35||30||5||3||6||5||1{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||47||38
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
!520||474||80||56||149||120||29||22||778||672
!382!!349!!62!!44!!115!!94!!24!!20!!583!!507
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]
|[[2021–22 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref name="Matches 2021–22">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2021–22 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2021-22 |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
|[[Ligue 1]]
|26||6||1||0||7||5||colspan="2"|—||34||11
|-
|[[2022–23 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref name="Matches 2022–23">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2022–23 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2022-23 |access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref>
|Ligue 1
|32||16||1||0||7||4||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Trophée des Champions]]}}||1||41||21
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!58||22||2||0||14||9||1||1||75||32
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]]
|[[2023 Inter Miami CF season|2023]]
|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
|6||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|Appearances in [[Leagues Cup]]}}||10||14||11
|-
|[[2024 Inter Miami CF season|2024]]
|MLS
|12||12||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in [[CONCACAF Champions Cup]]}}||2||0||0||15||14
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!18||13||1||0||3||2||7||10||29||25
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!628||520||83||56||166||131||37||33||914||740
!414!!360!!62!!44!!115!!94!!24!!20!!615!!518
|}
|}
{{notelist}}


=== International ===
'''Notes'''
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

===International===
{{See also|List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi}}
{{See also|List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi}}
{{updated|23 March 2017}}
{{updated|match played 9 July 2024}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Year
Line 417: Line 375:
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=220–240}}
|rowspan=3|[[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=220–240}}
|2004
|2004
|colspan="2"|—||2||3||2||3
|colspan=2|—||2||3||2||3
|-
|-
|2005
|2005
|16{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Nine appearances and five goals in [[2005 South American U-20 Championship|South American Youth Football Championship]], seven appearances and six goals in [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|FIFA World Youth Championship]]}}||11||colspan="2"|—||16||11
|16{{efn|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]]}}||11||colspan=2|—||16||11
|-
|-
!Total
!Total
!16||11||2||3||18||14
!16||11||2||3||18||14
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}}
|rowspan=2|[[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}}
|2008
|2008
|5{{efn|Appearances in [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Summer Olympics]]}}||2||colspan=2|—||5{{efn-lg|name=U23|Does not include an [[Non-FIFA international football|unofficial friendly match]] played on 24 May 2008 in Barcelona between Argentina U23 and the [[Catalonia national football team]],<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527190720/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/24/barcelona/1211658712.html |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/24/barcelona/1211658712.html |title=La selección catalana pierde ante Argentina (0–1) en un partido marcado por la política |website=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]] |archive-date=27 May 2008 |date=24 May 2008 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225161247/http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2008/05/25/pagina-18/1396683/pdf.html |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2008/05/25/pagina-18/1396683/pdf.html |title=Fiesta y equilibrio |website=[[Mundo Deportivo]] |page=18 |archive-date=25 December 2022 |date=25 May 2008 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref> as Catalonia is not affiliated with either [[FIFA]] or [[UEFA]] as a [[List of men's national association football teams|national member association]] and is therefore not allowed to participate in official competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hawkey |first=Ian |title=Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/10541466/Catalonia-and-Basque-Country-reignite-call-for-independent-national-football-identities.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228184034/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/10541466/Catalonia-and-Basque-Country-reignite-call-for-independent-national-football-identities.html |archive-date=28 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=30 December 2013 |access-date=28 December 2022 }}</ref>}}||2
|5{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Appearances in [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Summer Olympics]]}}||2||colspan="2"|—||5||2
|-
|-
!Total
!Total
!5||2||colspan="2"|||5||2
!5||2||0||0||5||2
|-
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]<ref name="Century of International Appearances"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi: Player Profile |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref>
|rowspan=21|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html|title=Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances|last=Mamrud|first=Roberto|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date=19 January 2024|access-date=22 January 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122175004/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html|archive-date=22 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi: Player Profile |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi |access-date=9 September 2015}}</ref>
|2005
|2005
|3{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCQ"|Appearances in [[FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||0||2||0||5||0
|3{{efn|name=WCQ|Appearance(s) in [[FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||0||2||0||5||0
|-
|-
|2006
|2006
|3{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCF"|Appearances in [[FIFA World Cup]]}}||1||4||1||7||2
|3{{efn|name=WCF|Appearance(s) in [[FIFA World Cup]]}}||1||4||1||7||2
|-
|-
|2007
|2007
|10{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Six appearances and two goals in [[2007 Copa América|Copa América]], four appearances and two goals in [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification|FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||4||4||2||14||6
|10{{efn|Six appearances and two goals in [[Copa América]], four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification}}||4||4||2||14||6
|-
|-
|2008
|2008
|6{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCQ"}}||1||2||1||8||2
|6{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||2||1||8||2
|-
|-
|2009
|2009
|8{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCQ"}}||1||2||2||10||3
|8{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||2||2||10||3
|-
|-
|2010
|2010
|5{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCF"}}||0||5||2||10||2
|5{{efn|name=WCF}}||0||5||2||10||2
|-
|-
|2011
|2011
|8{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Four appearances in [[2011 Copa América|Copa América]], four appearances and two goals in [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification|FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||2||5||2||13||4
|8{{efn|Four appearances in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification}}||2||5||2||13||4
|-
|-
|2012
|2012
|5{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCQ"}}||5||4||7||9||12
|5{{efn|name=WCQ}}||5||4||7||9||12
|-
|-
|2013
|2013
|5{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCQ"}}||3||2||3||7||6
|5{{efn|name=WCQ}}||3||2||3||7||6
|-
|-
|2014
|2014
|7{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCF"}}||4||7||4||14||8
|7{{efn|name=WCF}}||4||7||4||14||8
|-
|-
|2015
|2015
|6{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Appearances in [[2015 Copa América|Copa América]]}}||1||2||3||8||4
|6{{efn|name=CA|Appearance(s) in Copa América}}||1||2||3||8||4
|-
|-
|2016
|2016
|10{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Five appearances and three goals in [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification|FIFA World Cup qualification]], five appearances and five goals in [[Copa América Centenario|Copa América]]}}||8||1||0||11||8
|10{{efn|Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América}}||8||1||0||11||8
|-
|-
|2017
|2017
|1{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="WCQ"}}||1||0||0||1||1
|5{{efn|name=WCQ}}||4||2||0||7||4
|-
|2018
|4{{efn|name=WCF}}||1||1||3||5||4
|-
|2019
|6{{efn|name=CA}}||1||4||4||10||5
|-
|2020
|4{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||0||0||4||1
|-
|2021
|16{{efn|Nine appearances and five goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four goals in Copa América}}||9||0||0||16||9
|-
|2022
|10{{efn|Two appearances and one goal in FIFA World Cup qualification, one appearance in [[CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions]], seven appearances and seven goals in FIFA World Cup}}||8||4||10||14||18
|-
|2023
|5{{efn|name=WCQ}}||3||3||5||8||8
|-
|2024
|4{{efn|name=CA}}||1||2||2||6||3
|-
|-
!Total
!Total
!77||31||40||27||117||58
!130||58||56||51||186||109
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total
!colspan=2|Career total
!98||44||42||30||140||74
!151||71||58||54||209||125
|}
|}
{{notelist}}


== Honours ==
'''Notes'''
{{For|a comprehensive listing of Messi's achievements|List of career achievements by Lionel Messi}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
[[File:Messi with Neymar Junior the Future of Brazil.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Messi ([[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball winner]]) pictured with future teammate [[Neymar]] (Bronze Ball winner) at the conclusion of the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup final]]]]


'''Barcelona'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi|title=Lionel Messi|publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref>
==Honours and achievements==
* [[La Liga]]: [[2004–05 La Liga|2004–05]], [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]], [[2015–16 La Liga|2015–16]], [[2017–18 La Liga|2017–18]], [[2018–19 La Liga|2018–19]]

* [[Copa del Rey]]: [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|2008–09]], [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|2011–12]], [[2014–15 Copa del Rey|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Copa del Rey|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|2016–17]], [[2017–18 Copa del Rey|2017–18]], [[2020–21 Copa del Rey|2020–21]]
===Barcelona===
* [[Supercopa de España]]: <!-- the 2005 trophy should not be added. see consensus: [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Football/Archive 132#Player Honours: Should supercups be included in a player's trophy count (e.g. Messi]],_2005)_if_they_weren't_called_up_but_are_still_credited_with_the_title_by_the_club? -->[[2006 Supercopa de España|2006]], [[2009 Supercopa de España|2009]], [[2010 Supercopa de España|2010]], [[2011 Supercopa de España|2011]], [[2013 Supercopa de España|2013]], [[2016 Supercopa de España|2016]], [[2018 Supercopa de España|2018]]
{{Updated|27 May 2017}}<ref name="Achievements">{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi achievements |publisher=FC Barcelona |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/2016-2017/messi|accessdate=4 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="Trophies">{{cite web |url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/andres-iniesta-and-leo-messi-win-30th-trophy-with-barcelona-6066205 |title=Andrés Iniesta and Leo Messi win 30th trophy with Barcelona |publisher=Sport EN |date=27 May 2017 |accessdate=28 May 2017}}</ref>
* [[La Liga]]: [[2004–05 La Liga|2004–05]], [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]], [[2015–16 La Liga|2015–16]]
* [[Copa del Rey]]: [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|2008–09]], [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|2011–12]], [[2014–15 Copa del Rey|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Copa del Rey|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Copa del Rey|2016–17]]
* [[Supercopa de España]]: <!-- Please do NOT add the 2005 Supercopa. If you disagree, please start a discussion on the Talk: page. -->[[2006 Supercopa de España|2006]], [[2009 Supercopa de España|2009]], [[2010 Supercopa de España|2010]], [[2011 Supercopa de España|2011]], [[2013 Supercopa de España|2013]], [[2016 Supercopa de España|2016]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]], [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2010–11]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|2014–15]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]], [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2010–11]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|2014–15]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|2009]], [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|2011]], [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|2015]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|2009]], [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|2011]], [[2015 UEFA Super Cup|2015]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]


'''Paris Saint-Germain'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/content/lionel-messi-a-paris-saint-germain-legend-psg-history-club-record-ligue-1|title=Lionel Messi|date=4 June 2023 |publisher=Paris Saint-Germain F.C.}}</ref>
===International===
* [[Ligue 1]]: [[2021–22 Ligue 1|2021–22]], [[2022–23 Ligue 1|2022–23]]
*[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Final|2005]]
* [[Trophée des Champions]]: [[2022 Trophée des Champions|2022]]
*[[Football at the Summer Olympics#Men's results|Olympic Gold Medal]]: [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics#Men|2008]]


'''Inter Miami'''
===Individual===
*[[Leagues Cup]]: [[2023 Leagues Cup|2023]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sigal |first=Jonathan |date=20 August 2023 |title=Lionel Messi & Inter Miami are Leagues Cup champions! |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/lionel-messi-inter-miami-are-leagues-cup-champions |access-date=21 August 2023 |website=MLS Soccer |language=}}</ref>


'''Argentina U20'''
[[File:Messi with Neymar Junior the Future of Brazil.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Messi accepting the [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball award]], alongside his future teammate [[Neymar]] after the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final]]]]
* [[FIFA World Youth Championship]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands |publisher=FIFA |date=July 2005 |url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906082949/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 September 2015 |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>


'''Argentina U23'''
====Awards====
* [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Olympic gold medal]]: [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Report and Statistics: Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments Beijing 2008 |publisher=FIFA |page=21 |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206162134/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 December 2008 |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=50em|
* [[Ballon d'Or]]/[[FIFA Ballon d'Or]]: [[Ballon d'Or 2009|2009]]<ref>{{cite web |title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or")|publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html |accessdate=9 May 2017}}</ref>, [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2010]], [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2011]], [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2012]], [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]]<ref name="FIFA Ballon d'Or: History"/>
* [[European Golden Shoe]]: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017<ref name="Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona"/>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2014 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2014]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, Neuer Heralded as Brazil 2014's Best |publisher=FIFA |date=13 July 2014 |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=messi-heralded-as-brazil-2014-s-best-2404615.html |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|2009]]<ref name="FIFA Ballon d'Or: History">{{cite web |title=FIFA Ballon d'Or: History |publisher=FIFA |url=http://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/history/index.html |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Best Player in Europe]]: 2011, 2015<ref name="Messi Beats Ronaldo for 2014–15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award"/>
* [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]]: 2009<ref name="Profile: Lionel Messi">{{cite web |title=Profile: Lionel Messi |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=95803/profile/ |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Forward|UEFA Club Forward of the Year]]: 2009<ref name="Profile: Lionel Messi"/>
* [[La Liga Awards#Winners|Best Player in La Liga]]: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies">{{cite news |first=Paul M. |last=Otero |title=Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos |trans_title=Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies |newspaper=Marca |date=12 November 2013 |language=Spanish |url=http://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="Messi, Best Forward and Best Player">{{cite web|title=Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador |trans_title=Messi, Best Forward and Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |language=Spanish |date=2 December 2013 |url=https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |accessdate=13 September 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113604/https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |archivedate= 8 December 2015 |df= }}</ref><ref name="Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player">{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=30 November 2015 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[La Liga Awards#Winners|Best Forward in La Liga]]: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies"/><ref name="Messi, Best Forward and Best Player"/><ref name="Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi named Best Striker in La Liga Santander 2015–16 |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=24 October 2016 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/lionel-messi-named-best-striker-in-laliga-santander-201516 |accessdate=25 October 2016}}</ref>
* [[Copa América records and statistics#General statistics by tournament|Copa América Most Valuable Player]]: [[2015 Copa América#Awards|2015]] (rejected)<ref name="Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa América Defeat"/>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2011]]<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup: Awards">{{cite web |title=FIFA Club World Cup: Awards |publisher=FIFA |url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/awards/goldenball.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407144625/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/awards/goldenball.html |archivedate=7 April 2015 |deadurl=yes}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball]]: [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2015]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona Trio Sweep Awards |publisher=FIFA |date=20 December 2015 |url=http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/y=2015/m=12/news=barcelona-trio-raumt-ab-2747108-2747184.html |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Most Valuable Player of the Final Match Trophy|FIFA Club World Cup Final Most Valuable Player]]: 2009, 2011<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup: Awards"/>
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Golden Ball|FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|2005]]<ref name="2005 FIFA World Youth Championship">{{cite web |title=FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 |publisher=FIFA |url=http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/netherlands2005/index.html |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Golden Shoe|FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Shoe]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Goalscorers|2005]]<ref name="2005 FIFA World Youth Championship"/>
* [[Olimpia Award|Olimpia de Oro (Argentine Sportsperson of the Year)]]: 2011<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies"/>
* [[Footballer of the Year of Argentina#Winners|Olimpia de Plata (Argentine Footballer of the Year)]]: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Premios Olimpia 2015: La Judoca Paula Pareto se Llevó el Oro y los de Plata Fueron Para Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni y Adolfo Cambiaso |trans_title=Olympia Awards 2015: The Judoca Paula Pareto Took the Gold and Silver Was for Messi, Marco Ruben, Andrés Nocioni and Adolfo Cambiaso |publisher=LRA Radio Nacional |language=Spanish |date=23 December 2015 |url=http://www.radionacional.com.ar/?p=88753 |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Los Ganadores de Olimpia de Plata en Cada Deporte, con los Medallistas Dorados de Río entre los Destacados |trans_title=The Winners of the Silver Olimpia in Each Sport, with the Gold Medalists of Río among the Highlights |newspaper=La Nacion |language=Spanish |date=20 December 2016 |url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1968952-los-ganadores-de-olimpia-de-plata-en-cada-deporte-con-los-medallistas-dorados-de-rio-entre-los-destacados |accessdate=21 December 2016}}</ref>
* [[Copa América records and statistics|Copa América Best Young Player]]: [[2007 Copa América#Awards|2007]]{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=248}}
* [[FIFPro#FIFPro Young Player of the Year, 2005–2008|FIFPro Young World Player of the Year]]: 2006, 2007, 2008{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=248}}
* [[Golden Boy (award)#Winners|Golden Boy (Young European Footballer of the Year)]]: 2005{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=279–284}}
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#IFFHS World's Best Playmaker|IFFHS World's Best Playmaker]]: 2015,<ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Best Playmaker 2015 |publisher=International Federation of Football History and Statistics |url=http://iffhs.de/the-worlds-best-playmaker-2015/ |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref> 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/the-worlds-best-playmaker-2016-lionel-messi/|title=THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYMAKER 2016: Lionel Messi|publisher=IFFHS.de|author1=Robert Ley|date=29 December 2016|accessdate=27 April 2017}}</ref>
* [[IFFHS|IFFHS World's Best Top Goalscorer]]: 2011, 2012<ref name="IFFHS">{{cite web |title=IFFHS: Former Results |publisher=International Federation of Football History and Statistics |url=http://iffhs.de/index.php/former-results/ |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[IFFHS|IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goalscorer]]: 2012, 2013<ref name="IFFHS"/>
* [[La Liga Player of the Month]]: January 2016,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi named Liga BBVA Player of the Month for January|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=12 February 2016 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/lionel-messi-named-liga-bbva-player-of-the-month-for-january}}</ref> April 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/lionel-messi-named-laliga-santander-player-of-the-month-for-april|publisher=La Liga|date=12 May 2017|title=Lionel Messi named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for April}}</ref>
* [[Trofeo Aldo Rovira]]: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/leo-messi-presented-with-the-sixth-memorial-aldo-rovira-award-4710124|title=Leo Messi presented with the sixth Memorial Aldo Rovira award|last=EN|first=Sport|date=2015-11-28|work=sport|access-date=2017-05-16|language=ES}}</ref>
* [[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro World XI|FIFA FIFPro World XI]]: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=248}}<ref name="FIFPro and FIFA Present the 2015 World XI">{{cite web |title=FIFPro and FIFA Present the 2015 World XI |publisher=FIFPro |date=11 January 2016 |url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/news/fifpro-and-fifa-present-the-2015-world-xi |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/y=2017/m=1/news=the-best-named-at-fifa-football-awards-2862916.html |title=The Best named at FIFA Football Awards |date=9 January 2017 |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=12 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Team of the Year]]: [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2008|2008]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2009|2009]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2010|2010]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2011|2011]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2012|2012]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2014|2014]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2015|2015]], [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2016|2016]]<ref name="Profile: Lionel Messi"/><ref name="Team of the Year 2015: Lionel Messi">{{cite web |title=Team of the Year 2015: Lionel Messi |publisher=UEFA |date=8 January 2016 |url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/forwards.html?playerId=95803 |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[La Liga Awards#Team of the season|La Liga Team of the Season]]: 2014–15, 2015–16<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2014–15 Liga BBVA Ideal XI |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=15 June 2015 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/the-201415-liga-bbva-ideal-xi |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup Dream Team]]: [[2014 FIFA World Cup#Dream Team|2014]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Dream Team Winners Earn Sony Prizes |publisher=FIFA |date=23 July 2014 |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=dream-team-winners-earn-sony-prizes-2406063.html |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[Copa América records and statistics|Copa América Dream Team]]: [[2007 Copa América|2007]], [[2011 Copa América|2011]], [[2015 Copa América#Team of the tournament|2015]], [[Copa América Centenario|2016]]<ref>{{cite news |title=El Once Ideal de la Copa América |trans_title=The Ideal Eleven of the Copa América |newspaper=La República |language=Spanish |date=16 July 2007 |url=http://larepublica.pe/16-07-2007/el-once-ideal-de-la-copa-america |accessdate=16 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="The Copa América 2011 Dream Team">{{cite web |title=The Copa América 2011 Dream Team |publisher=Copa America Organisation |date=8 June 2015 |url=http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/the-copa-america-2011-dream-team/t8bquapogxrw10j9h0aa6h9d7/slide/8 |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Copa América 2015: Team of the Tournament |publisher=Copa America Organisation |date=5 July 2015 |url=http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/copa-america-2015---team-of-the-tournament/1nqqmzngdosa911z9l2g8k8317/slide/9 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Copa América 2016: Awards"/>
* [[Argentine Football Association|AFA Team of All Time]] (published 2015)<ref>{{cite web |title=La Selección de Todos los Tiempos |trans_title=The Team of All Time |publisher=Argentine Football Association |language=Spanish |date=4 January 2016 |url=http://www.afa.com.ar/3023/la-seleccion-de-todos-los-tiempos |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[UEFA|UEFA Goal of the Season]]: 2006–07, 2014–15, 2015–16<ref name="Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies"/><ref name="Messi's Goal vs. Bayern Voted Europe's Best in 2014–15"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2016-2017/leo-messi-wins-uefa-goal-of-the-season-award|title=Leo Messi wins UEFA goal of the season award {{!}} FC Barcelona|website=www.fcbarcelona.com|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Copa América records and statistics|Copa América Best Goal]]: 2007<ref>{{cite news |title=Robinho Disputará a Messi y Riquelme la Copa América y el MVP del Torneo |trans_title=Robinho Battles Messi and Riquelme for the Copa América and the MVP of the Tournament |newspaper=Diario AS |language=Spanish |date=14 July 2007 |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2007/07/14/mas_futbol/1184394463_850215.html |accessdate=16 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Los 10 Mejores Goles de la Copa América 2007 |trans_title=The 10 Best Goals of the 2007 Copa América |publisher=Copa America Organisation |date=6 May 2015 |url=http://www.ca2015.com/es/news/los-10-mejores-goles-de-la-copa-america-2007/awf5otgu1wgn1fm5zxi1t4krs |accessdate=16 February 2016}}</ref>
}}


'''Argentina'''
====Performances====
* [[FIFA World Cup]]: [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Church |first=Ben |date=18 December 2022 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/18/football/argentina-france-world-cup-final-qatar-2022-spt-intl/index.html |title=Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina wins World Cup after beating France in sensational final |publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=18 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218185037/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/18/football/argentina-france-world-cup-final-qatar-2022-spt-intl/index.html|archive-date=18 December 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[List of La Liga top scorers#Top scorers by season|La Liga top goalscorer]]: [[2009–10 La Liga#Pichichi Trophy|2009–10]], [[2011–12 La Liga#Top goalscorers|2011–12]], [[2012–13 La Liga#Top goalscorers|2012–13]], [[2016–17 La Liga#Top goalscorers|2016–17]]<ref>
* [[Copa América]]: [[2021 Copa América|2021]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Das |first=Andrew|date=11 July 2021|title=Messi and Argentina Beat Brazil to Win the Copa América |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-argentina-brazil-copa-america.html|access-date=11 July 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Scorers 2009–10 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/scorers?season=2009 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* [[CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions]]: [[2022 Finalissima|2022]]<ref>{{cite web |date=1 June 2022 |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi named official Finalissima Player of the Match |url=https://www.uefa.com/finalissima/news/0276-1549531afce1-16d40688390d-1000--player-of-the-match-messi/ |access-date=2 June 2022 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref>
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Scorers 2011–12 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/scorers?season=2011 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Scorers 2012–13 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/scorers?season=2012 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Scorers 2016–17 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/scorers?season=2017 |accessdate=21 May 2017}}</ref>
* La Liga top assist provider: [[2010–11 La Liga#Assists table|2010–11]], [[2014–15 La Liga#Top assists|2014–15]], [[2015–16 La Liga#Top assists|2015–16]]<ref>
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010|accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2014–15 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2014|accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2015–16 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2015|accessdate=16 May 2016}}</ref>
* Copa del Rey top goalscorer: [[2008–09 Copa del Rey#Top goalscorers|2008–09]], [[2010–11 Copa del Rey#Top goalscorers|2010–11]], [[2013–14 Copa del Rey#Top scorers|2013–14]], [[2015–16 Copa del Rey#Top goalscorers|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Copa del Rey#Top goalscorers|2016–17]]<ref>
* {{cite web |title=Copa del Rey Top Scorer: 2008–09 |publisher=World Football |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/esp-copa-del-rey-2008-2009/ |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Copa del Rey Top Scorer: 2010–11 |publisher=World Football |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/esp-copa-del-rey-2010-2011/ |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Copa del Rey Top Scorer: 2013–14 |publisher=World Football |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/esp-copa-del-rey-2013-2014/ |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=Copa del Rey Top Scorer: 2015–16 |publisher=World Football |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/esp-copa-del-rey-2015-2016/ |accessdate=24 May 2016}}
* {{cite web |title= Copa del Rey Top Scorer: 2016–17 |publisher=World Football |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/esp-copa-del-rey-2016-2017/ |accessdate=28 May 2017}}</ref>
* [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#Top scorers by seasons|UEFA Champions League top goalscorer]]: [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2008–09]], [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2009–10]], [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2010–11]], [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2011–12]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2014–15]]<ref>
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League Statistics: Top Scorers 2008–09 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/statistics/scorers?season=2008 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League Statistics: Top Scorers 2009–10 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/statistics/scorers?season=2009 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League Statistics: Top Scorers 2010–11 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/statistics/scorers?season=2010 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League Statistics: Top Scorers 2011–12 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/statistics/scorers?season=2011 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League Statistics: Top Scorers 2014–15 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/statistics/scorers?season=2014 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* UEFA Champions League top assist provider: [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League#Top assists|2011–12]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League#Top assists|2014–15]]<ref>
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2011–12 Statistics: Assists |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html |accessdate=27 August 2015}}
* {{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2014–15 Statistics: Assists |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/statistics/index.html |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* FIFA Club World Cup top goalscorer: [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup#Goalscorers|2011]]<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011: Statistics |publisher=FIFA |url=http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/japan2011/statistics/index.html |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>
* FIFA World Youth Championship top goalscorer: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Goalscorers|2005]]<ref name="Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands" />
* Copa América top assist provider: [[2011 Copa América#Assists|2011]], [[2015 Copa América#Assists|2015]], [[Copa América Centenario|2016]]<ref name="The Copa América 2011 Dream Team"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Copa América 2015 Stats Centre: Player Stats Attack |publisher=Copa America Organisation |url=http://www.ca2015.com/en/stats |accessdate=27 August 2015 |deadurl=yes |df={{cbignore}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Copa America 2016: Six players who have starred in the United States |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/32506/10324032/copa-america-2016-six-players-who-have-starred-in-the-united-states |date=25 June 2016}}</ref>


'''Individual'''
====Records====
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[2009 Ballon d'Or|2009]], [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2010]], [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2011]], [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2012]], [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]], [[2019 Ballon d'Or|2019]], [[2021 Ballon d'Or|2021]], [[2023 Ballon d'Or|2023]]{{refn|group=note|name=BDOFIFA}}
{{Updated|May 2017}}
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]/[[FIFA Ballon d'Or]]/[[The Best FIFA Men's Player]]: [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|2009]], [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2010]], [[2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2011]], [[2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2012]], [[2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or|2015]], [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019|2019]], [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022|2022]], [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023|2023]]{{refn|group=note|name=BDOFIFA}}
<!-- Please provide references for the records. -->
* [[European Golden Shoe]]: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19<ref>{{cite web |last=Pettigrove |first=Jason |title=A Sixth Golden Shoe Sees Lionel Messi Stand Alone |date=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpettigrove/2019/10/16/a-sixth-golden-shoe-sees-lionel-messi-stand-alone/ |website=[[Forbes]] |issn=0015-6914 |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019004931/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpettigrove/2019/10/16/a-sixth-golden-shoe-sees-lionel-messi-stand-alone/ |archive-date=19 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2014 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2014]], [[2022 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2022]]<ref name="Reuters">{{Cite web|editor1=Toby Davis|editor2=Ed Osmond|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/lionel-messi-argentina-players-world-cup-goals-stats-career-highlights-2022-12-16/ |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi: World Cup goals, stats and career highlights |work=[[Reuters]] |date=18 December 2022 |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|FIFA World Cup Silver Boot]]: [[2022 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2022]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup#Awards|2011]]
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup records and statistics#Golden Ball|FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|2005]]
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup records and statistics#Golden Boot|FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot]]: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|2005]]
* [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]]: [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year#Winners|2008–09]]
* [[UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award]]: [[UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award#2010–11|2010–11]], [[UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award#2014–15|2014–15]]
* [[List of UEFA Champions League top scorers#Top scorers by season|UEFA Champions League top scorer]]: [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2008–09]], [[2009–10 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2009–10]], [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2010–11]], [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2011–12]], [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2014–15]], [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League#Top goalscorers|2018–19]]
* [[Copa América awards#Best Player|Copa América Best Player]]: [[2015 Copa América#Awards|2015]], [[2021 Copa América#Awards|2021]]
* [[Copa América awards#Top Goalscorer|Copa América Top Goalscorer]]: [[2021 Copa América#Awards|2021]]
* [[La Liga Awards#Winners|La Liga Best Player]]: [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]], [[2014–15 La Liga|2014–15]],<ref name="Honours">{{Cite news|first=Paul M. |last=Otero |title=Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos |trans-title=Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain |date=12 November 2013 |language=es |url=http://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |access-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328162523/https://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MessiBest">{{Cite web|title=Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador |trans-title=Messi, Best Forward and Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |language=es |date=2 December 2013 |url=https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |access-date=13 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113604/https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="2014–15BBVA">{{Cite web|title=Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=30 November 2015 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140218/https://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |archive-date=22 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[2016–17 La Liga|2016–17]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Beats Cristiano Ronaldo To La Liga Best Player Award |website=soccerladuma |date=19 December 2017 |url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/messi-ronaldo-neymar-watch-1/lionel-messi-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-to-la-liga-best-player-award/285797 |access-date=19 December 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923140137/https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/international/messi-ronaldo-neymar-mbappe-watch/lionel-messi-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-to-la-liga-best-player-award-20171219 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[2017–18 La Liga|2017–18]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Leo Messi reçoit le Pichichi et MVP de la Liga 2017–18 |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=12 November 2018 |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.fr/fr/photos/913399/leo-messi-recoit-le-pichichi-et-mvp-de-la-liga-2017-18|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923141051/https://www.fcbarcelona.fr/fr/photos/913399/leo-messi-recoit-le-pichichi-et-mvp-de-la-liga-2017-18|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2018–19 La Liga|2018–19]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi wins La Liga best player award for 2018–19 season |website=barcablaugranes.com |date=17 December 2019 |url=https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2019/12/17/21024688/lionel-messi-wins-la-liga-best-player-award-for-2018-19-season|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923140207/https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2019/12/17/21024688/lionel-messi-wins-la-liga-best-player-award-for-2018-19-season|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Pichichi Trophy]]: [[2009–10 La Liga|2009−10]], [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012−13]], [[2016–17 La Liga|2016–17]], [[2017–18 La Liga|2017−18]], [[2018–19 La Liga|2018–19]], [[2019–20 La Liga|2019–20]], [[2020–21 La Liga|2020–21]]
* [[Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year]]: 2020,<ref name="Reuters" /> 2023<ref>{{Cite news|title=Laureus Sport Awards: Lionel Messi & Argentina World Cup team win Laureus awards |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/65528208 |access-date=9 May 2023|work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2023}}</ref>
* [[Ballon d'Or Dream Team]]: 2020<ref>{{cite news |last=Crépin |first=Timothé |title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende ! |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |publisher=France Football |language=fr |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214151520/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[FIFA FIFPRO World 11]]: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/lionel-messi-through-the-years-in-the-world-11 |title=Lionel Messi: World 11 through the years |publisher=[[FIFPRO]] |date=15 January 2024 |access-date=10 March 2024 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115205630/https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/lionel-messi-through-the-years-in-the-world-11 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-world-11-record-the-best |title=In focus: All Messi's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 inclusions |publisher=[[FIFA]] |date=15 January 2024 |access-date=17 June 2024 |archive-date=17 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617095601/https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-world-11-record-the-best |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Olimpia Award#Olimpia de Oro winners|Argentine Sportsperson of the Year]]: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Por segunda vez en la historia, el Olimpia de Oro fue compartido: Lionel Messi y Belén Casetta fueron galardonados por su 2023 |url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/segunda-vez-historia-olimpia-oro-compartido-lionel-messi-belen-casetta-galardonados-2023_0_Axogp5m7qI.html |website=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]] |language=es |date=20 December 2023 |access-date=8 January 2024}}</ref>
* [[Argentine Footballer of the Year]]: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023<ref name="Honours" /><ref name="Reuters" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Belén Casetta compartió el Olimpia de Oro con Lionel Messi |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/espn-run/nota/_/id/13015543/belen-casetta-compartio-el-olimpia-de-oro-con-lionel-messi |language=es |access-date=21 December 2023 |publisher=ESPN Deportes |date=20 December 2023}}</ref>


=====World=====
== See also ==
{{Portal|portal|Association football|Argentina|Biography}}
* Most (FIFA) Ballons d'Or: 5 (2009–12, 2015)<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Wins Ballon d'Or over Ronaldo and Neymar |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2016 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35285469 |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref>
{{div col}}
* Most consecutive Ballons d'Or: 4<ref name="14 Facts about the FIFA Ballon d'Or">{{cite web |title=14 Facts about the FIFA Ballon d'Or |publisher=FIFA |date=22 September 2014 |url=http://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/news/y=2013/m=10/news=14-facts-about-the-fifa-ballon-d-or-2195659.html |accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref>
* [[European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics]]
* Youngest two-time and three-time Ballon d'Or winner: 23 and 24 years old<ref name="14 Facts about the FIFA Ballon d'Or"/>
* [[La Liga records and statistics]]
* [[List of FIFA Club World Cup goalscorers|Top goalscorer in the history of FIFA Club World Cup]]: 5 goals {{small|(shared with [[César Delgado]], [[Luis Suárez]] and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez Star in Club World Cup Win over River |publisher=ESPN FC |date=20 December 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-club-world-cup/1932/blog/post/2762664/lionel-messi-and-luis-suarez-star-in-club-world-cup-win |accessdate=13 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA Club World Cup: Players & Coaches |publisher=FIFA |url=http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/index.html |accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* [[List of Argentina international footballers]]
* [[Guinness World Record]] as top goalscorer for club and country in a calendar year: 91 goals in 2012<ref name="Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Sets New Goal-Scoring Record"/>
* [[List of FC Barcelona players]]
* Top goalscorer in all club competitions in a calendar year: 79 goals in 2012<ref name="Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or"/>
* [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics]]
* Top goalscorer in a club season: 73 goals in 2011–12<ref name="The Goal That Started the Barcelona Legend">{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi: The Goal That Started the Barcelona Legend |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 May 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32553429 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[List of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players]]
* Longest goalscoring run in a domestic league: 21 matches, 33 goals in 2012–13<ref name="Messi 'Breaks Record' by Scoring in 17th Consecutive La Liga Game"/><ref name="Messi Worry Mars Barca's Title Joy"/>
* [[List of Inter Miami CF players]]
* Only player to have won more than one [[FIFA Club World Cup]] [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]]<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup: Awards"/>
* [[List of FIFA World Cup winning players]]
* Only player to have won more than one [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Most Valuable Player of the Final Match Trophy|FIFA Club World Cup Final Most Valuable Player]] award<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup: Awards"/>
* [[List of largest sports contracts]]
* Most appearances in the [[FIFPro|FIFPro World XI]]: 10 times (2007–2016) {{small|(shared with [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}
* [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]
* [[List of footballers with 500 or more goals|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 top international men's football goal scorers by country|List of top international men's football goalscorers by country]]
* [[List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA World Cups]]
* [[List of association football rivalries]]
{{div col end}}


== Notes ==
=====Continental=====
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-upper-alpha"><references group="upper-alpha" /></div>
* Most UEFA Best Player in Europe and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year awards: 3 (2009, 2011, 2015) {{small|(shared with [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}<ref name="Messi Beats Ronaldo for 2014–15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award"/><ref>{{cite web |title=UEFA Club Footballer of the Year |publisher=UEFA |date=1 May 2011 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/newsid=1499472.html#uefa+club+footballer+year |accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref>
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-note"><references group="note" /></div>
* Top goalscorer in the UEFA Super Cup: 3 goals {{small|(shared with [[Arie Haan]], [[Oleg Blokhin]], [[Gerd Müller]], [[Rob Rensenbrink]], [[François Van der Elst]], [[Terry McDermott]], and [[Radamel Falcao]])}}<ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Saffer |title=Messi, Alves among Super Cup Record-Breakers |publisher=UEFA |date=11 August 2015 |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/newsid=2271025.html |accessdate=13 February 2016}}</ref>
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-lower-greek"><references group="lower-greek" /></div>
<!-- * Only player to be top goalscorer in five UEFA Champions League seasons (2008–09 to 2011–12, 2014–15)<ref name="UEFA Champions League 2014–15: Statistics"/><ref name="The Ultimate Record-Breaking Preview to the UEFA Champions League Final"/>
* Only player to be top goalscorer in four consecutive UEFA Champions League seasons<ref name="Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers"/> -->
* [[List of UEFA Champions League hat-tricks|Most hat-tricks scored in the UEFA Champions League]]: 7 {{small|(shared with [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
* Youngest player to make 100 appearances in the UEFA Champions League: 28 years, 84 days in 2015<ref>{{cite journal |first=Christopher |last=Chavez |title=Lionel Messi Becomes Youngest to 100 Champions League Appearances |journal=Sports Illustrated |date=16 September 2015 |url=http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/09/16/lionel-messi-champions-league-appearances-100-games-fc-barcelona-ac-roma |accessdate=13 February 2016}}</ref>
* Top assist provider in Copa América: 11 assists<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nesn.com/2016/06/lionel-messi-assists-gonzalo-higuains-goal-thrills-gillette-stadium-in-copa-america/ |title= Lionel Messi Sets Copa América Assists Record, Thrills Gillette Stadium |publisher= [[New England Sports Network|NESN]] |date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
*Most [[European Golden Shoe]] awards: [[European Golden Shoe#Multiple winners|4]] {{small|(shared with [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}


=====Spain=====
== References ==
<references />
* Most Best Player in La Liga awards: 6 (2009–13, 2015)<ref>{{cite news |title=Messi Tiene Presente a Suárez |newspaper=El País |date=1 December 2015 |language=Spanish |url=http://www.ovaciondigital.com.uy/futbol/messi-presente-suarez.html |accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref>
* [[Spanish football top scorers#All-time top scorers in La Liga|Top goalscorer in La Liga]]: 349 goals<ref>{{cite web |first=Ralph |last=Hannah |title=Double for Lionel Messi as Barcelona Star Takes Both La Liga and Champions League All-Time Goals Records in a Week |publisher=Guinness World Records |date=25 November 2014 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/11/lionel-messi-earns-another-guinness-world-records-title-with-la-liga-scoring-feat-62015 |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* Top assist provider in La Liga: 137 assists{{refn|group=note|name="Assist statistics"}}<ref name="Messi Is Also a Legend in the Historical Assist Ranking"/><ref name="Messi Notches Assist Record"/>
* Top goalscorer in the Supercopa de España: 12 goals<ref name="Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers"/>
* Top goalscorer in a La Liga season: 50 goals in 2011–12<ref>{{cite web |title=Most Goals Scored in a Season in the Top Division of Spanish Football |publisher=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-goals-scored-in-a-season-in-the-top-division-of-spanish-football |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* Most braces scored in La Liga: 101<ref>{{cite news|title=Football news in brief: Another record for Messi.|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/25/football-news-in-brief|publisher=The Guardian|date=25 January 2015|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref>
* Most hat-tricks scored in a La Liga season: 8 in 2011–12 {{small|(shared with [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}<ref name="Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers"/>
* Most teams scored against in a season: 19 in 2012–13 {{small|(shared with [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]])}}{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}
* Only player to score consecutively against all opposition teams in La Liga: 19 matches, 30 goals in 2012–13<ref name="Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph"/>
* First player to reach 300 La Liga goals<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi is the first player to score 300 goals in La Liga |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/five-aside/77/post/2809730/lionel-messi-of-barcelona-reaches-300-goals-in-la-liga|date=17 February 2016|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref>
* Youngest player to score 200 goals in La Liga: 25 years and 7 months in January 2013<ref>{{cite journal |title=Roundup: Messi Youngest to Score 200 Goals in La Liga |journal=USA Today |date=27 January 2013 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2013/01/27/roundup-lionel-messi-youngest-to-200-goals-la-liga/1868865/ |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>

=====Argentina=====
* [[Argentina national football team#Top goalscorers|Argentina all-time top goalscorer]]: 58 goals<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi breaks Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record |publisher=ESPN FC |url= http://www.espnfc.com/argentina/story/2891319/lionel-messi-breaks-argentinas-all-time-goal-scoring-record |date=22 June 2016 |accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, máximo artillero histórico de la selección argentina|publisher=FIFA (Spanish) |url= http://es.fifa.com/live-scores/copaamerica/news/newsid/280/310/4/index.html|date=22 June 2016|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, único dueño del gol |publisher= Argentine Football Association (Spanish) |url= http://www.afa.org.ar/4656/messi-unico-duea%C2%B1o-del-gol |date=22 June 2016|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
* Top goalscorer for Argentina in a calendar year: 12 goals in 2012 {{small|(shared with [[Gabriel Batistuta]])}}<ref name="Lionel Messi's Incredible Record-Breaking Year in Numbers"/>
* Only Argentina player to score against every CONMEBOL nation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/world-football/messis-now-scored-every-south-american-country-except-argentina-4483886|title=Messi's now scored vs. EVERY South American country... except Argentina|last=EN|first=Sport|date=5 September 2015|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref>
* Youngest player to play for Argentina in a FIFA World Cup: [[2006 FIFA World Cup Group C#Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro|18 years, 357 days in 2006]]<ref name="Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro"/>
* Youngest player to score for Argentina in a FIFA World Cup: 18 years, 357 days in 2006<ref name="Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro"/>
* Youngest player to reach 100 caps for a country under [[CONMEBOL]]'s jurisdiction: 27 years, 361 days in 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=It's Lionel Messi's 28th Birthday, Here Are 10 of His Stunning Career Stats... |publisher=Eurosport |date=24 June 2015 |url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/copa-america/2015/it-s-lionel-messi-s-28th-birthday-here-are-10-of-his-stunning-career-stats._sto4795033/story.shtml |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>

=====Barcelona=====
* Top goalscorer in [[El Clásico]]: 23 goals<ref name="Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4 Match Report: Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Out-Guns Cristiano Ronaldo in Seven-Goal El Clásico Thriller"/>
* Top goalscorer in the [[Derbi barceloní]]: 17 goals<ref name="The Derby Is a Monologue of Messi"/>
* Top goalscorer in official competitions: 507 goals<ref name="FC Barcelona Individual Records">{{cite web |title=FC Barcelona Individual Records |publisher=FC Barcelona |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/club/the-honours/detail/card/fc-barcelona-individual-records |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* Top goalscorer including friendlies: 539 goals<ref name="FC Barcelona Individual Records"/>
* Top goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League: 94 goals<ref name="FC Barcelona Individual Records"/>
* Top goalscorer in European competitions: 97 goals<ref name="FC Barcelona Individual Records"/>
* Top goalscorer in International competitions: 102<ref name="FC Barcelona Individual Records"/>
* Most hat-tricks scored in all competitions: 37<ref name="Supporters, Superstars and Goals Galore"/>
* Most hat-tricks scored in La Liga: 26<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo to Set Hat-trick Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=8 March 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2337476/lionel-messi-surpasses-cristiano-ronaldo-to-set-new-liga-hat-trick-record |accessdate=27 August 2015}}</ref>
* Only player to be top goalscorer in three or more La Liga seasons (2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17)<ref name="FC Barcelona Individual Records"/>
* Most titles won with the team: 30 {{small|(shared with [[Andrés Iniesta]])}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi and Iniesta Top Xavi's 25 Titles |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=21 December 2015 |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/messi-and-iniesta-top-xavis-25-titles |accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Messi–Ronaldo rivalry]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{reflist|group=note}}

'''Citations'''
{{reflist|20em}}


'''Bibliography'''
'''Bibliography'''
<templatestyles src="Refbegin/styles.css" /><div class="refbegin">
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|title=Messi|last=Balagué|first=Guillem|date=2013|publisher=Orion Books|isbn=978-1-4091-4659-9|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |title=Messi |last=Balagué |first=Guillem |authorlink=Guillem Balagué |date=2013 |publisher=[[Orion Books]] |isbn=978-1-4091-4659-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/messibiography0000bala}}
* {{cite book|title=Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend|last=Caioli|first=Luca|date=2012|publisher=Corinthian Books|isbn=978-1-90685-040-1|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |title=Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend |last=Caioli |first=Luca |date=2012 |publisher=Corinthian Books |isbn=978-1-906850-40-1}}
* {{cite book|title=Messi: More than a Superstar|last=Caioli|first=Luca|date=2015|publisher=Icon Books|isbn=978-190685-091-3|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |title=Messi: More than a Superstar |last=Caioli |first=Luca |date=2015 |publisher=[[Icon Books]] |isbn=978-1-906850-91-3}}
* {{cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2015|date=2014|publisher=Guinness World Records|isbn=978-1-908843-65-4|ref={{harvid|Guinness World Records|2014}}}}
* {{cite book |title=Guinness World Records 2015 |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_f8z3 |url-access=registration |date=2014 |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] |isbn=978-1-908843-65-4 |ref={{harvid|Guinness World Records|2014}}}}
* {{cite book|title=Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World|last=Hunter|first=Graham|date=2012|publisher=BackPage Press|isbn=978-0-9564971-8-5|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |title=Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World |last=Hunter |first=Graham |date=2012 |publisher=BackPage Press |isbn=978-0-9564971-8-5}}
* {{cite book|title=A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010|last=Lisi|first=Clemente Angelo|date=2011|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-7754-2|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |title=A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010 |last=Lisi |first=Clemente Angelo |date=2011 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |isbn=978-0-8108-7754-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofworldcu0000lisi_v7i5}}
* {{cite book|title=Above Us Only Sky: Liverpool FC's Global Revolution|last=Tomkins|first=Paul|date=2007|publisher=Anchor Print Group|isbn=978-0-9556367-0-7|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |title=Above Us Only Sky: Liverpool FC's Global Revolution |last=Tomkins |first=Paul |date=2007 |publisher=Anchor Print Group |isbn=978-0-9556367-0-7}}
</div>
{{refend}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{Sister project links|c=Category:Lionel Messi|b=no|d=yes|n=yes|s=no|v=no|wikt=no}}
{{Portal|Biography|Association football|Argentina}}
* {{Official website}}
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|s=no|v=Football (soccer)/Famous Soccer Players#Lionel Messi|b=no}}
<!-- Per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only -->
* {{Official website|http://www.leomessi.com/}} {{ca icon}} {{en icon}} {{es icon}}
* [https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/2016-2017/messi Profile] for [[FC Barcelona]]
* [https://www.intermiamicf.com/players/lionel-messi/ Profile] at [[Inter Miami]]
* [http://www.laliga.es/en/player/messi Profile] at [[La Liga]]
* [https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/squad/lionel-messi Profile] at [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|PSG]]
* [https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi Profile] at [[FC Barcelona]]
* {{ESPN FC|45843}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180719183842/http://www.laliga.es/en/player/messi Profile] at [[La Liga]]
* {{BDFutbol|1753}}
* {{Soccerway|lionel-andres-messi/119}}
* [https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=lionel-andres-messi-cuccittini Profile] at [[Ligue 1]]
* [https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/lionel-messi/ Profile] at [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
* {{BDFutbol}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{NFT player|pid=12066}}
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Revision as of 07:46, 11 July 2024

Lionel Messi
Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Lionel Andrés Messi[1]
Date of birth (1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 37)[1]
Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Inter Miami
Number 10
Youth career
1992–1995 Grandoli
1995–2000 Newell's Old Boys
2000–2003 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (5)
2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (6)
2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
2021–2023 Paris Saint-Germain 58 (22)
2023– Inter Miami 18 (13)
International career
2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14)
2008 Argentina U23 5[α] (2)
2005– Argentina 186 (109)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2022 Qatar
Runner-up 2014 Brazil
Copa América
Winner 2021 Brazil
Runner-up 2007 Venezuela
Runner-up 2015 Chile
Runner-up 2016 United States
Third place 2019 Brazil
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Winner 2022 England
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 2005 Netherlands
South American U-20 Championship
Third place 2005 Colombia

Signature
Lionel Messi signature
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 04:00, 2 June 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 02:22, 10 July 2024 (UTC)

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi[note 1] (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi] ; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and was named the world's best player for a record eight times by FIFA.[note 2] He has won a record 43 trophies in his career. Until 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, where he won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and the UEFA Champions League four times. With his country, he won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals (474), hat-tricks (36), and assists (192) in La Liga, most appearances (36) and assists (18) in the Copa América. He has the most international goals (109) and appearances (186) by a South American male. Messi has scored over 800 senior career goals for club and country, and the most goals for a single club (672).

Messi relocated to Spain and joined Barcelona aged 13, making his competitive debut at age 17 in October 2004. He established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, and in his first uninterrupted season in 2008–09 helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football; that year, aged 22, Messi won his first Ballon d'Or. Messi won four consecutive Ballons d'Or, the first player to win it four times. During the 2011–12 season, he set La Liga and European records for most goals in a season, while establishing himself as Barcelona's all-time top scorer. The following two seasons, he finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, his perceived career rival, before regaining his best form during the 2014–15 campaign, becoming the all-time top scorer in La Liga and leading Barcelona to a historic second treble, and was awarded a fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015. Messi assumed captaincy of Barcelona in 2018, and won a record sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. He signed for French club Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, spending two seasons there and winning Ligue 1 twice. Messi joined American club Inter Miami in July 2023, winning the Leagues Cup in August.

An Argentine international, Messi is the country's all-time leading goalscorer and holds the national record for appearances. At youth level, he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics. His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed dribbler drew comparisons with compatriot Diego Maradona, who described Messi as his successor. After his senior debut in 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup (2006). As the squad's captain from 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2015 Copa América and the 2016 Copa América. After announcing his international retirement in 2016, he reversed this and led his country to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and victory in the 2021 Copa América. He led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, where he won a record second Golden Ball, scored seven goals including two in the final, and broke the record for most games played at the World Cup (26), later receiving his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023.

Messi has endorsed sportswear company Adidas since 2006. 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 named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team and became the second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.

Early life

Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe,[11] 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] 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.[12] 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.[13] He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother.[14][15]

"When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive."

Newell's Old Boys youth coach Adrián Coria shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi.[16]

A lifelong supporter of Newell's Old Boys, Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.[17][18] However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, aged 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. As his father's health insurance covered only two years of growth hormone therapy, which cost at least $1,000 per month, Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on their promise.[19] He was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate, whose playmaker Pablo Aimar he idolised.[20][21] It was speculated that he failed to be signed into River Plate due to his ill health, however in a 2019 interview, Messi revealed that the club had offered to pay for his medical treatment despite ultimately rejecting him.[22] His goalscoring idol growing up was Brazilian striker Ronaldo, with Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen".[23]

Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, aged 13.

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.[20][24] In February 2001, the family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, Camp Nou. During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the Infantiles due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled to integrate into the team; already reserved by nature, he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.[17][24][25]

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.[26] After completing his growth hormone therapy aged 14,[27] 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.[26][28] 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.[29] 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.[24][30][31]

Career

Club career

Barcelona

At the age of 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first-team debut as a 75th-minute substitute during a friendly against Porto on 16 November 2003.[24][32] Under Frank Rijkaard, who promoted him to the first team in October 2004,[33] he made his league debut on 16 October 2004 against Espanyol,[24] 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.[34][35] At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition.[36] Messi won the league title in the 2004–05,[37] and 2005–06 season. He won his first Champions League trophy in the 2006 final, although he was ruled out injured.[38][39] On 10 March 2007, Messi scored his first hat-trick in a Clásico, the first player to do so in 12 years, equalising after each goal by Real Madrid to end the match in a 3–3 draw in injury time.[40] In Rijkaard's final years at the club, Barcelona finished the 2006–07, and 2007–08 season without trophies,[41][42] leading to his departure. Messi was given the number 10 shirt for the 2008–09 season.[43] During that season, Messi, 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.[44][45]

Messi (pictured in 2005) at the age of 18 playing for FC Barcelona, where he played for 17 years.

During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep Guardiola, Messi played as a false nine for the first time on 2 May 2009 in a Clásico. He scored twice and assisted once in a 6–2 victory, the team's greatest-ever score at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[46][47] He played his first final on 19 May, winning the Copa del Rey.[48] Barcelona became the first club to achieve the sextuple. In addition to the Copa del Rey, Barcelona won the La Liga title and later won the Champions League, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in the second half of 2009.[49][50] Messi finished as the Champions League top scorer, the youngest in the tournament's history,[51] For his efforts in 2009, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.[52] In the new year of the 2009–10 season, Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions, equaling Ronaldo's club record from the 1996–97 campaign.[53][54] He finished the season as top scorer in the Champions League,[55] and La Liga, winning his second consecutive league trophy and earned his first European Golden Shoe.[54][56] In the 2010–11 campaign, Messi won the Supercopa de España,[57] Champions League,[58] and a third consecutive La Liga title. Messi was the top scorer in the Champions League, for the third consecutive year,[59] and the league's top scorer and assist provider.[60][61] He became Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer with 53 goals.[60][62]

During the 2011–12 season, Messi scored 73 goals and provided 29 assists in all club competitions.[63][64][65] He began the campaign winning both the Spanish and European Super Cups trophies.[66][67] At the close of the year, he won the FIFA Club World Cup and earned the Golden Ball for a second time.[68] For his efforts in 2011, he received the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times,[69] and the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.[70] During the year 2012, Messi became the second player to be top scorer in four Champions League campaigns.[71][72] On 20 March, Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old with a hat-trick against Granada.[73] He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all competitions made him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football.[74][75] Guardiola resigned that season after a four-year cycle of success.[76] A double scored on 9 December 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.[77] At the close of the year, Messi had scored a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina.[78] Messi again won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.[78][79]

Paris Saint-Germain

Inter Miami

International career

Player profile

Style of play

A versatile forward, Messi often plays as a classic number 10.

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;[80][81] this has led the Spanish media to dub him La Pulga Atómica ("The Atomic Flea").[82][83][84] 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.[17][81][85] 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.[86] His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it."[87] 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.[88][89]

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 of passing.[90] He has often been described as a magician; a conjurer, creating goals and opportunities where seemingly none exist.[91][92][93] Moreover, he is an accurate free kick and penalty kick taker.[81][94] As of September 2023, Messi ranks fifth all time in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65,[95] the most among active players.[96] He also has a penchant for scoring from chips.[97]

Messi is known to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate attacking plays, and create goal-scoring opportunities.

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.[85][94][98] Widely considered to be the best dribbler in the world,[99] and one of the greatest dribblers of all time,[100] 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."[89] Beyond his individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative combinations, in particular with former Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.[80][81]

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.[101] 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.[87] Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a false nine role; positioned as a centre-forward or lone striker, he would roam the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.[25] 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,[102][103] while he was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free playmaking role in later seasons.[104][105] 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,[106] or even on the right wing[107] or as a false nine,[108][109] he was also used in a more offensive, central role in a 4–2–3–1,[105] 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 Suárez.[110][111]

Messi prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

As his career advanced, and his 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.[112][113][114] 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.[115] With the Argentina national team, Messi has similarly played anywhere along the frontline; under various managers, he has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, as an out-and-out striker, in a supporting role alongside another forward, or in a deeper, free creative role as a classic number 10 playmaker or attacking midfielder behind the strikers.[116][117]

Reception and comparisons to Diego Maradona

"I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi."

Diego Maradona hailing the 18-year-old Messi as his successor in February 2006[118][119]

A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20.[120] Diego Maradona considered the 18-year-old Messi the best player in the world alongside Ronaldinho, while the Brazilian himself, shortly after winning the 2005 Ballon d'Or, commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça", in reference to his protégé.[121][122] Four years later, after Messi had won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin,[52] 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.[13][85][123] An early proponent was his then-manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, declared Messi to be the best player he had ever seen.[124] In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players,[62][125] and 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.[126][127] He initially received several dismissals by critics, based on the fact that he had not won an international trophy at senior level with Argentina,[128] until he won his first at the 2021 Copa América.[129]

Argentina fans with Messi and Maradona banners at the 2018 World Cup in Russia
The Sistine Chapel of Football painting (Messi to the left, Maradona to the right), on the ceiling of a sports club, Sportivo Pereyra, in Barracas, Buenos Aires

Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his late compatriot Maradona, due to their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed dribblers. Initially, he was merely one of many young Argentine players, including his boyhood idol Pablo Aimar, to receive the "New Maradona" moniker, but as his career progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing himself as the greatest player Argentina had produced since Maradona.[21][130] Jorge Valdano, who won the 1986 World Cup alongside Maradona, said in October 2013, "Messi is Maradona every day. For the last five years, Messi has been the Maradona of the World Cup in Mexico."[131] César Menotti, who as manager orchestrated their 1978 World Cup victory, echoed this sentiment when he opined that Messi plays "at the level of the best Maradona".[132] Other notable Argentines in the sport, such as Osvaldo Ardiles, Javier Zanetti, and Diego Simeone, have expressed their belief that Messi has overtaken Maradona as the best player in history.[133][134][135]

In Argentine society, prior to 2019, Messi was generally held in lesser esteem than Maradona, a consequence of not only his perceived uneven performances with the national team, but also of differences in class, personality, and background. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football.[136][137][138] An enduring mark against him is the fact that, through no fault of his own, he never proved himself in the Argentine Primera División as an upcoming player, achieving stardom overseas from a young age,[17][136] while his lack of outward passion for the Albiceleste shirt (until 2019 he did not sing the national anthem and is disinclined to emotional displays) have in the past led to the false perception that he felt Catalan rather than truly Argentine.[139] Football journalist Tim Vickery states the view among Argentines is that Messi "was always seen as more Catalan than one of them".[140] Despite having lived in Spain since age 13, Messi rejected the option of representing Spain internationally. He has said: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy."[141] Moreover, several pundits and footballing figures, including Maradona, questioned Messi's leadership with Argentina at times, despite his playing ability.[142][143][144] Vickery states the perception of Messi among Argentines changed in 2019, with Messi making a conscious effort to become "more one of the group, more Argentine", with Vickery adding that following the World Cup victory in 2022 Messi would now be held in the same esteem by his compatriots as Maradona.[140]

Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi has been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo (left) throughout much of their careers.

Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, as part of an ongoing rivalry that has been compared to past sports rivalries like the Muhammad AliJoe Frazier rivalry in boxing, the Prost–Senna rivalry in motorsport, and the tennis rivalries between Federer–Nadal and Borg–McEnroe.[145][146][147]

Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry,[148][149] they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world.[150] Since 2008, Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,[151] eight FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo's four.[152] Pundits and fans regularly argue the individual merits of both players.[150][153] Beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques – Ronaldo is 1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in) with a muscular build – and contrasting public personalities with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics a foil to Messi's humility.[154][155][156] 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.[157] Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.[157]

After Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, a number of football critics, commentators, and players have opined that Messi has settled the debate between the two players.[A]

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.[161][162] Messi was second on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes, after Ronaldo, with income of $81 million from salary and endorsements in 2015–16.[163] 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.[164] Forbes ranked him the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019.[165] 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.[166][167][168] 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.[169] His buyout clause was set at $835 million (€700 million).[169] 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.[170]

Messi's Argentina jersey, supplied by Adidas, was sold out worldwide during the 2022 World Cup.[171]

In addition to salary and bonuses, much of his income derives from endorsements; SportsPro has consequently cited him as one of the world's most marketable athletes every year since their research began in 2010.[172] 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.[173] Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser;[157] from 2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas Messi.[174][175] Since 2017, he has worn the latest version of the Adidas Nemeziz.[176] In 2015, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name and number was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.[177] At the 2022 World Cup, Adidas sold out Messi's No. 10 Argentina jersey worldwide.[171]

After blessing himself, Messi often celebrates a goal by pointing a finger on each hand towards the sky in dedication to his late grandmother.[178] His goal celebration features in the FIFA video game series, first appearing in FIFA 14.

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.[179][180] 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.[179][181] Messi is a global brand ambassador for Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Ooredoo, and Tata Motors, among other companies.[182][183][184][185] Messi was the face of Konami's video game series Pro Evolution Soccer, appearing on the covers of PES 2009, PES 2010, PES 2011 and PES 2020. He subsequently signed with rival company EA Sports to become the face of their series FIFA and appeared on consecutive covers from FIFA 13 to FIFA 16.[186][187]

Messi was among the Time 100, an annual list of the world's most influential people, in 2011, 2012 and 2023.[188][189][190] His fanbase on Facebook is among the largest of public figures: within seven hours of its launch in April 2011, Messi's Facebook page had nearly seven million followers, and by July 2023 he had over 114 million followers, the second highest for a sportsperson after Cristiano Ronaldo.[191][192] He has over 500 million Instagram followers, the second highest for an individual and sportsperson after Ronaldo.[193] His World Cup celebration post from 18 December 2022 is the most liked post on Instagram with over 70 million likes.[194] 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 Ronaldo, and the most likable of all contemporary players.[195][196] On his economic impact on the city in which he plays, Terry Gibson called him a "tourist attraction".[197]

Indian vehicle art of Messi

Madame Tussauds unveiled their first wax sculpture of Messi at Wembley Stadium in 2012.[198] A gold replica of his left foot, weighing 25 kg (55 lb) and valued at $5.3 million, went on sale in Japan in 2013 to raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[199] 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.[200][201] 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.[202] Messi, a documentary by filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2014.[203]

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."[204] 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.[205][206] In April 2023, Messi was featured in the 200 year old Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala, India.[207] During Thrissur Pooram, which is one of the largest festivals in Asia, 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.[208]

Personal life

Family and relationships

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, a fellow native of Rosario.[209] 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.[210] 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.[211]

"Leo is not shy. He's introverted. He's reserved."

— Endocrinologist Diego Schwarzstein,[note 3] who addressed Messi's growth hormone deficiency from 1997 to 2001.

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.[213] Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012.[214] In April 2015, Messi confirmed that they were expecting another child.[215] On 30 June 2017, he married Roccuzzo at a luxury hotel named Hotel City Center in Rosario.[216] In October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting their third child.[217] Messi and his family are Catholic Christians.[218]

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.[219]

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.[17][220][221] Messi has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's.[222] Messi holds triple citizenship, as he is a citizen of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.[223]

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.[224][225] Messi has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.[226] 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.[227]

Messi (pictured in 2007) has worked with UNICEF since 2004 and has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010.

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.[228] 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.[220] 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.[220][229] 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.[230][231]

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.[220] 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.[17] 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.[232] Messi made a donation worth €1 million ($1.1 million) to fight the spread of coronavirus.[233] This was split between Clinic Barcelona in Barcelona and his native Argentina.[234] 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.[235]

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.[236][237] 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.[238]

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.[239] A deal brokered by Uruguay's president Luis Lacalle Pou, the plan to prioritise football players caused 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".[239]

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.[240] 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."[241]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 June 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona C 2003–04[242] Tercera División 10 5 10 5
Barcelona B 2003–04[243] Segunda División B 5 0 5 0
2004–05[244] Segunda División B 17 6 17 6
Total 22 6 22 6
Barcelona 2004–05[244] La Liga 7 1 1 0 1 0 9 1
2005–06[245] La Liga 17 6 2 1 6 1 0 0 25 8
2006–07[246] La Liga 26 14 2 2 5 1 3[c] 0 36 17
2007–08[247] La Liga 28 10 3 0 9 6 40 16
2008–09[248] La Liga 31 23 8 6 12 9 51 38
2009–10[249] La Liga 35 34 3 1 11 8 4[d] 4 53 47
2010–11[250] La Liga 33 31 7 7 13 12 2[e] 3 55 53
2011–12[251] La Liga 37 50 7 3 11 14 5[f] 6 60 73
2012–13[252] La Liga 32 46 5 4 11 8 2[e] 2 50 60
2013–14[253] La Liga 31 28 6 5 7 8 2[e] 0 46 41
2014–15[254] La Liga 38 43 6 5 13 10 57 58
2015–16[255] La Liga 33 26 5 5 7 6 4[g] 4 49 41
2016–17[256] La Liga 34 37 7 5 9 11 2[e] 1 52 54
2017–18[257] La Liga 36 34 6 4 10 6 2[e] 1 54 45
2018–19[258] La Liga 34 36 5 3 10 12 1[e] 0 50 51
2019–20[259] La Liga 33 25 2 2 8 3 1[e] 1 44 31
2020–21[260] La Liga 35 30 5 3 6 5 1[e] 0 47 38
Total 520 474 80 56 149 120 29 22 778 672
Paris Saint-Germain 2021–22[261] Ligue 1 26 6 1 0 7 5 34 11
2022–23[262] Ligue 1 32 16 1 0 7 4 1[h] 1 41 21
Total 58 22 2 0 14 9 1 1 75 32
Inter Miami 2023 MLS 6 1 1 0 7[i] 10 14 11
2024 MLS 12 12 3[j] 2 0 0 15 14
Total 18 13 1 0 3 2 7 10 29 25
Career total 628 520 83 56 166 131 37 33 914 740
  1. ^ Includes Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ All appearances in UEFA Champions League, unless otherwise noted
  3. ^ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  9. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
  10. ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup

International

As of match played 9 July 2024
Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
Team Year Competitive Friendly Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Argentina U20[263][264] 2004 2 3 2 3
2005 16[a] 11 16 11
Total 16 11 2 3 18 14
Argentina U23[265] 2008 5[b] 2 5[α] 2
Total 5 2 0 0 5 2
Argentina[269][270] 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[c] 1 2 1 8 2
2009 8[c] 1 2 2 10 3
2010 5[d] 0 5 2 10 2
2011 8[f] 2 5 2 13 4
2012 5[c] 5 4 7 9 12
2013 5[c] 3 2 3 7 6
2014 7[d] 4 7 4 14 8
2015 6[g] 1 2 3 8 4
2016 10[h] 8 1 0 11 8
2017 5[c] 4 2 0 7 4
2018 4[d] 1 1 3 5 4
2019 6[g] 1 4 4 10 5
2020 4[c] 1 0 0 4 1
2021 16[i] 9 0 0 16 9
2022 10[j] 8 4 10 14 18
2023 5[c] 3 3 5 8 8
2024 4[g] 1 2 2 6 3
Total 130 58 56 51 186 109
Career total 151 71 58 54 209 125
  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ Appearances in Summer Olympics
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Appearance(s) in FIFA World Cup qualification
  4. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in FIFA World Cup
  5. ^ Six appearances and two goals in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification
  6. ^ Four appearances in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification
  7. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Copa América
  8. ^ Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América
  9. ^ Nine appearances and five goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four goals in Copa América
  10. ^ Two appearances and one goal in FIFA World Cup qualification, one appearance in CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, seven appearances and seven goals in FIFA World Cup

Honours

Messi (Golden Ball winner) pictured with future teammate Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) at the conclusion of the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final

Barcelona[271]

Paris Saint-Germain[272]

Inter Miami

Argentina U20

Argentina U23

Argentina

Individual

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Citations:[158][159][160]
  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. ^ a b c 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 Bleacher Report's Richard Fitzpatrick, "Schwarzstein and Messi built up a close relationship during more than four years of treatment."[212]
  1. ^ a b Does not include an unofficial friendly match played on 24 May 2008 in Barcelona between Argentina U23 and the Catalonia national football team,[266][267] 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.[268]

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Bibliography

Sporting positions
Preceded by FC Barcelona captain
2018–2021
Succeeded by