Lionel Messi: Difference between revisions
m Revert to Splash |
GanzKnusper (talk | contribs) →Family and relationships: remove what seems to be a misplaced, unreferenced sentence in the middle of an unrelated paragraph |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Argentine footballer (born 1987)}} |
|||
[[Image:Lionel_Messi.jpg|frame|right|80px|Lionel Messi]] |
|||
{{Redirect|Messi}} |
|||
'''Lionel Andrés Messi''' (born [[June 24]], [[1987]] in [[Rosario, Argentina|Rosario]]) is an [[Argentina|Argentine]] [[football (soccer)]] player. |
|||
{{pp-move}} |
|||
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} |
|||
{{Good article}} |
|||
{{Use British English|date=January 2024}} |
|||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} |
|||
{{Infobox football biography |
|||
| name = Lionel Messi |
|||
| image = Lionel-Messi-Argentina-2022-FIFA-World-Cup (cropped).jpg |
|||
| caption = Messi with [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]] |
|||
| 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> |
|||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|24|df=y}}<ref name="NameBirthHeight" /> |
|||
| birth_place = [[Rosario]], Argentina |
|||
| height = 1.70 m<ref name="NameBirthHeight" /> |
|||
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]] |
|||
| currentclub = [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]] |
|||
| clubnumber = 10 |
|||
| youthyears1 = 1992–1995 |
|||
| youthclubs1 = Grandoli |
|||
| youthyears2 = 1995–2000 |
|||
| youthclubs2 = [[Newell's Old Boys]] |
|||
| youthyears3 = 2000–2003 |
|||
| youthclubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] |
|||
| years1 = 2003–2004 |
|||
| clubs1 = [[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]] |
|||
| caps1 = 10 |
|||
| goals1 = 5 |
|||
| years2 = 2004–2005 |
|||
| clubs2 = [[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]] |
|||
| caps2 = 22 |
|||
| goals2 = 6 |
|||
| years3 = 2004–2021 |
|||
| 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]]}} |
|||
{{Medal|Winner|[[2021 Copa América|2021 Brazil]]|}} |
|||
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Copa América|2007 Venezuela]]|}} |
|||
{{Medal|RU|[[2015 Copa América|2015 Chile]]|}} |
|||
{{Medal|RU|[[Copa América Centenario|2016 United States]]|}} |
|||
{{Medal|3rd|[[2019 Copa América|2019 Brazil]]|}} |
|||
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions]]}} |
|||
{{Medal|W|[[2022 Finalissima|2022 England]]|}} |
|||
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the Summer Olympics#Men's tournament|Olympic Games]]}} |
|||
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}} |
|||
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}} |
|||
{{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 Messi started playing football at a very early age in his hometown's [[Newell's Old Boys]]. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]]. Shortly after arriving in Spain, Lionel tried his luck with a trial at [[FC Barcelona]], despite being only 13 years of age. He excelled at the trial and rapidly found himself starting for the |
|||
[[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]] team, averaging more than a goal per game. |
|||
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. |
|||
In October 2004 Messi made his official debut for the first team against [[Espanyol]], becoming the third-youngest player to ever play for [[FC Barcelona]]. He scored his first senior goal for the club against [[Albacete Balompie|Albacete]] on [[May 1]], [[2005]]. |
|||
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. |
|||
He was offered the chance to play for the [[Spain national football team]], but declined, prefering to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in a U-20 friendly match against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]]. |
|||
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 billion in career earnings. |
|||
[[Image:Leo_Messi.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Lionel Messi wearing FC Barcelona's colors]] |
|||
{{TOClimit|4}} |
|||
In June 2005 he starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the [[Football World Youth Championship]] played in [[The Netherlands]]. Messi picked up the [[Golden Boot]] as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel has already drawn comparisons with [[Diego Maradona]], arguably one of the best football players of all time. |
|||
== Early life == |
|||
On [[June 27]], [[2005]] FC Barcelona renewed his contract until [[2010]], establishing a selling clause of [[€]]150 millions. |
|||
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> |
|||
On [[August 4]], [[José Pekerman]] called him up to the senior Argentine national team. He made his debut against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] - coincientally the very same side that [[Maradona]] debuted against for Argentina. However, he only played three minutes of the game, being harshly shown a red card in his first attempt on goal. |
|||
{{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}}}} |
|||
On [[September 25]], [[2005]] Messi obtained a Spanish [[citizenship]] and was finally able to make his debut in this season's [[La Liga|Spanish First Division]]. He had previously been unable to play because [[FC Barcelona]] had filled up all of their quota of non-EU players. |
|||
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|right|Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, [[La Masia]], aged 13.]] |
|||
Messi's first outing in the [[UEFA Champions League]] at the [[Nou Camp]] was on Sept 28 against Italian club [[Udinese]]. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with [[Ronaldinho]] that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful. On December of that year, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in [[Europe]], over [[Wayne Rooney]] and [[Lukas Podolski]] |
|||
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> |
|||
==External links== |
|||
*[http://www.lionel-messi.net Lionel Messi] |
|||
*[http://www.lionel-messi.org lionel-messi.org] |
|||
*[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/06/19/sociedad/s-998344.htm Clarin Newspaper] (Spanish) |
|||
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> |
|||
[[Category:1987 births|Messi, Lionel]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine footballers|Messi, Lionel]] |
|||
[[Category:FC Barcelona footballers|Messi, Lionel]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Rosario|Messi, Lionel]] |
|||
== Career == |
|||
[[ar:ليونيل ميسي]] |
|||
{{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}} |
|||
[[de:Lionel Andres Messi]] |
|||
{{Main|Career of Lionel Messi}} |
|||
[[it:Lionel Messi]] |
|||
=== Club career === |
|||
[[he:ליונל מסי]] |
|||
==== Barcelona ==== |
|||
[[nl:Lionel Messi]] |
|||
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> |
|||
[[ja:リオネル・メッシ]] |
|||
[[pl:Lionel Messi]] |
|||
[[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.]] |
|||
[[zh:萊昂內爾·梅西]] |
|||
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> |
|||
{{clear}} |
|||
==== Paris Saint-Germain ==== |
|||
{{Empty section|date=July 2024}} |
|||
==== Inter Miami ==== |
|||
{{Empty section|date=July 2024}} |
|||
=== International career === |
|||
{{Empty section|date=July 2024}} |
|||
== Player profile == |
|||
=== 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> |
|||
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> |
|||
[[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" /> |
|||
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> |
|||
[[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]].]] |
|||
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> |
|||
=== Reception and comparisons to Diego Maradona === |
|||
{{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> |
|||
{{multiple image |
|||
| align = right |
|||
| direction = vertical |
|||
| header = |
|||
| width = 250 |
|||
| image1 = Messi Maradona.jpg |
|||
| width1 = |
|||
| alt1 = |
|||
| caption1 = Argentina fans with Messi and Maradona banners at the [[2018 World Cup]] in Russia |
|||
| image2 = Maradona messi creacion adan.jpg |
|||
| width2 = |
|||
| alt2 = |
|||
| 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]] |
|||
}} |
|||
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> |
|||
=== Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo === |
|||
{{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> |
|||
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> |
|||
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>}} |
|||
== In popular culture == |
|||
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.<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 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 million to €13 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 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 million (€700 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 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= |
|||
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]].'']] |
|||
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> |
|||
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 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:Messi car.jpg|thumb|[[Truck art in South Asia#Cars|Indian vehicle art]] of Messi]] |
|||
[[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 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> |
|||
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> |
|||
== Personal life == |
|||
=== 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.}} |
|||
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 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}} |
|||
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> |
|||
=== 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 [[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.]] |
|||
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> |
|||
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 million ($1.1 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> |
|||
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> |
|||
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> |
|||
=== Tax fraud === |
|||
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 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 sentence|suspended]] 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 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 == |
|||
=== Club === |
|||
{{updated|match played 1 June 2024}} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
|||
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |
|||
!rowspan="2"|Club |
|||
!rowspan="2"|Season |
|||
!colspan="3"|League |
|||
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Copa del Rey]], [[Coupe de France]], [[U.S. Open Cup]]}} |
|||
!colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|All appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], unless otherwise noted}} |
|||
!colspan="2"|Other |
|||
!colspan="2"|Total |
|||
|- |
|||
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[FC Barcelona C|Barcelona C]] |
|||
|{{nowrap|[[2003–04 Tercera División|2003–04]]{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=69–71}}}} |
|||
|[[Tercera División]] |
|||
|10||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||5 |
|||
|- |
|||
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Barcelona B|Barcelona B]] |
|||
|[[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> |
|||
|[[Segunda División B]] |
|||
|5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||0 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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 |
|||
|- |
|||
!colspan="2"|Total |
|||
!22!!6!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!22!!6 |
|||
|- |
|||
|rowspan="18"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] |
|||
|[[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05]]<ref name="Matches 2004–05" /> |
|||
|[[La Liga]] |
|||
|7||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||9||1 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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{{efn|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||0||36||17 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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{{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>{{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{{efn|name=SDE|Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España}}||3||55||53 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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{{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>{{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{{efn|name=SDE}}||2||50||60 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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{{efn|name=SDE}}||0||46||41 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[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{{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=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{{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 |
|||
!520||474||80||56||149||120||29||22||778||672 |
|||
|- |
|||
|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 |
|||
!628||520||83||56||166||131||37||33||914||740 |
|||
|} |
|||
{{notelist}} |
|||
=== International === |
|||
{{See also|List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi}} |
|||
{{updated|match played 9 July 2024}} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
|||
|+ Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition |
|||
!rowspan="2"|Team |
|||
!rowspan="2"|Year |
|||
!colspan="2"|Competitive |
|||
!colspan="2"|Friendly |
|||
!colspan="2"|Total |
|||
|- |
|||
!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}} |
|||
|2004 |
|||
|colspan=2|—||2||3||2||3 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2005 |
|||
|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 |
|||
!16||11||2||3||18||14 |
|||
|- |
|||
|rowspan=2|[[Argentina national under-23 football team|Argentina U23]]{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}} |
|||
|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 |
|||
|- |
|||
!Total |
|||
!5||2||0||0||5||2 |
|||
|- |
|||
|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 |
|||
|3{{efn|name=WCQ|Appearance(s) in [[FIFA World Cup qualification]]}}||0||2||0||5||0 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2006 |
|||
|3{{efn|name=WCF|Appearance(s) in [[FIFA World Cup]]}}||1||4||1||7||2 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2007 |
|||
|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 |
|||
|6{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||2||1||8||2 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2009 |
|||
|8{{efn|name=WCQ}}||1||2||2||10||3 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2010 |
|||
|5{{efn|name=WCF}}||0||5||2||10||2 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2011 |
|||
|8{{efn|Four appearances in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification}}||2||5||2||13||4 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2012 |
|||
|5{{efn|name=WCQ}}||5||4||7||9||12 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2013 |
|||
|5{{efn|name=WCQ}}||3||2||3||7||6 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2014 |
|||
|7{{efn|name=WCF}}||4||7||4||14||8 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2015 |
|||
|6{{efn|name=CA|Appearance(s) in Copa América}}||1||2||3||8||4 |
|||
|- |
|||
|2016 |
|||
|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 |
|||
|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 |
|||
!130||58||56||51||186||109 |
|||
|- |
|||
!colspan=2|Career total |
|||
!151||71||58||54||209||125 |
|||
|} |
|||
{{notelist}} |
|||
== Honours == |
|||
{{For|a comprehensive listing of Messi's achievements|List of career achievements by Lionel Messi}} |
|||
[[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> |
|||
* [[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]] |
|||
* [[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]] |
|||
* [[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]] |
|||
* [[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> |
|||
* [[Ligue 1]]: [[2021–22 Ligue 1|2021–22]], [[2022–23 Ligue 1|2022–23]] |
|||
* [[Trophée des Champions]]: [[2022 Trophée des Champions|2022]] |
|||
'''Inter Miami''' |
|||
*[[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''' |
|||
* [[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''' |
|||
* [[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> |
|||
'''Argentina''' |
|||
* [[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> |
|||
* [[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> |
|||
* [[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> |
|||
'''Individual''' |
|||
* [[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}} |
|||
* [[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}} |
|||
* [[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> |
|||
== See also == |
|||
{{Portal|portal|Association football|Argentina|Biography}} |
|||
{{div col}} |
|||
* [[European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics]] |
|||
* [[La Liga records and statistics]] |
|||
* [[List of Argentina international footballers]] |
|||
* [[List of FC Barcelona players]] |
|||
* [[List of FC Barcelona records and statistics]] |
|||
* [[List of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players]] |
|||
* [[List of Inter Miami CF players]] |
|||
* [[List of FIFA World Cup winning players]] |
|||
* [[List of largest sports contracts]] |
|||
* [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals]] |
|||
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]] |
|||
* [[List of 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 == |
|||
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-upper-alpha"><references group="upper-alpha" /></div> |
|||
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-note"><references group="note" /></div> |
|||
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-lower-greek"><references group="lower-greek" /></div> |
|||
== References == |
|||
<references /> |
|||
'''Bibliography''' |
|||
<templatestyles src="Refbegin/styles.css" /><div class="refbegin"> |
|||
* {{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=978-1-906850-40-1}} |
|||
* {{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 |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}} |
|||
* {{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}} |
|||
</div> |
|||
== External links == |
|||
{{Sister project links|c=Category:Lionel Messi|b=no|d=yes|n=yes|s=no|v=no|wikt=no}} |
|||
* {{Official website}} |
|||
<!-- Per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only --> |
|||
* [https://www.intermiamicf.com/players/lionel-messi/ Profile] at [[Inter Miami]] |
|||
* [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]] |
|||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180719183842/http://www.laliga.es/en/player/messi Profile] at [[La Liga]] |
|||
* [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}} |
|||
* {{Soccerway}} |
|||
* {{NFT player}} |
|||
* {{FIFA player}} |
|||
* {{UEFA player}} |
|||
{{s-start}} |
|||
{{s-sports}} |
|||
{{succession box|title=[[FC Barcelona]] captain|before=[[Andrés Iniesta]]|after= [[Sergio Busquets]]|years=2018–2021}} |
|||
{{s-end}} |
|||
{{Inter Miami CF squad}} |
|||
{{#invoke:navboxes|top |
|||
| title = Argentina squads |
|||
| bg = white |
|||
| fg = #0074E7 |
|||
| bordercolor = black |
|||
}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2007 Copa América}} |
|||
{{Argentina men's football squad 2008 Summer Olympics}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2011 Copa América}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2015 Copa América}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad Copa América Centenario}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2019 Copa América}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2021 Copa América}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}} |
|||
{{Argentina squad 2024 Copa América}} |
|||
{{#invoke:navboxes|bottom}} |
|||
{{#invoke:navboxes|top |
|||
| title = Awards |
|||
| bg = gold |
|||
| fg = navy |
|||
}} |
|||
{{2014 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}} |
|||
{{2007 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} |
|||
{{2015 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} |
|||
{{Copa América Centenario Team of the Tournament}} |
|||
{{2021 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} |
|||
{{FIFA World Cup Golden Ball}} |
|||
{{FIFA World Cup winning captains}} |
|||
{{CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions winning captains}} |
|||
{{Copa América top scorers}} |
|||
{{Copa América MVP}} |
|||
{{Copa América winning captains}} |
|||
{{FIFA U-20 World Cup awards}} |
|||
{{Ballon d'Or recipients}} |
|||
{{FIFA Player of the Year}} |
|||
{{FourFourTwo player of the year}} |
|||
{{Globe Soccer Awards best Player}} |
|||
{{IFFHS World's Best Player}} |
|||
{{IFFHS World's Best Playmaker}} |
|||
{{IFFHS World's Best Top Goal Scorer}} |
|||
{{IFFHS World's Best International Top Goal Scorer}} |
|||
{{IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer}} |
|||
{{FIFPro awards}} |
|||
{{Onze Mondial European Footballer of the Year}} |
|||
{{UEFA Club Footballer of the Year}} |
|||
{{UEFA Men's Player of the Year}} |
|||
{{UEFA Club Football Awards}} |
|||
{{Argentine Footballer of the Year}} |
|||
{{Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano}} |
|||
{{La Liga Best Player of the Year}} |
|||
{{La Liga Foreign Player of the Year}} |
|||
{{La Liga Forward of the Year}} |
|||
{{Trofeo EFE}} |
|||
{{Golden Boy award winners}} |
|||
{{Bravo award winners}} |
|||
{{FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}} |
|||
{{European Golden Shoe}} |
|||
{{UEFA Champions League top scorers}} |
|||
{{La Liga top scorers}} |
|||
{{Copa del Rey top scorers}} |
|||
{{Leagues Cup top scorers}} |
|||
{{2007 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2008 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2009 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2010 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2011 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2012 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2013 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2014 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2015 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2016 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2017 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2018 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2019 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2020 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2021 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2022 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2023 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} |
|||
{{2008 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2009 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2010 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2011 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2012 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2014 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2015 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2016 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2017 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2018 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2019 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2020 UEFA Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2014–15 La Liga Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2015–16 La Liga Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{2022–23 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}} |
|||
{{Sports Illustrated Soccer 2000s All-Decade Team}} |
|||
{{UEFA All-time XI}} |
|||
{{Ballon d'Or Dream Team}} |
|||
{{IFFHS All-time Men's World Dream Team}} |
|||
{{IFFHS All-time Men's South American Dream Team}} |
|||
{{IFFHS World's Man Team of the Decade 2011–2020}} |
|||
{{Trofeo Aldo Rovira}} |
|||
{{Premi Barça Jugadors}} |
|||
{{Laureus World Sportsman of the Year}} |
|||
{{BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year}} |
|||
{{L'Équipe Champion of Champions}} |
|||
{{ESPY International Athlete}} |
|||
{{#invoke:navboxes|bottom}} |
|||
{{Notable people from Rosario}} |
|||
{{#invoke:Authority control|authorityControl}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Messi, Lionel}} |
|||
[[Category:Lionel Messi| ]] |
|||
[[Category:1987 births]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]] |
|||
[[Category:2007 Copa América players]] |
|||
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]] |
|||
[[Category:2011 Copa América players]] |
|||
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]] |
|||
[[Category:2015 Copa América players]] |
|||
[[Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players]] |
|||
[[Category:2019 Copa América players]] |
|||
[[Category:2021 Copa América players]] |
|||
[[Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players]] |
|||
[[Category:2024 Copa América players]] |
|||
[[Category:FIFA World Cup-winning players]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentina men's international footballers]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentina men's under-20 international footballers]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentina men's youth international footballers]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine emigrants to Spain]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in France]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine men's footballers]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine fraudsters]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine people of Catalan descent]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine sportspeople of Italian descent]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine sportspeople of Spanish descent]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine philanthropists]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine Roman Catholics]] |
|||
[[Category:Ballon d'Or winners]] |
|||
[[Category:Copa América Centenario players]] |
|||
[[Category:Copa América-winning players]] |
|||
[[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]] |
|||
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]] |
|||
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]] |
|||
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]] |
|||
[[Category:FC Barcelona players]] |
|||
[[Category:FC Barcelona Atlètic players]] |
|||
[[Category:FC Barcelona C players]] |
|||
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]] |
|||
[[Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners]] |
|||
[[Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] |
|||
[[Category:Footballers from Barcelona]] |
|||
[[Category:Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe]] |
|||
[[Category:Golden Boy winners]] |
|||
[[Category:Inter Miami CF players]] |
|||
[[Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners]] |
|||
[[Category:La Liga players]] |
|||
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]] |
|||
<!--[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]--> |
|||
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] |
|||
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]] |
|||
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Spain]] |
|||
[[Category:Olympic footballers for Argentina]] |
|||
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Argentina]] |
|||
[[Category:Olympic medalists in football]] |
|||
[[Category:Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players]] |
|||
[[Category:People convicted of fraud]] |
|||
[[Category:People convicted of tax crimes]] |
|||
[[Category:People named in the Panama Papers]] |
|||
[[Category:Pichichi Trophy winners]] |
|||
[[Category:Segunda División B players]] |
|||
[[Category:Argentine sportspeople convicted of crimes]] |
|||
[[Category:Tercera División players]] |
|||
[[Category:The Best FIFA Men's Player winners]] |
|||
[[Category:UEFA Champions League winning players]] |
|||
[[Category:UEFA Champions League top scorers]] |
|||
[[Category:UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award winners]] |
|||
[[Category:UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors]] |
|||
[[Category:World record holders]] |
|||
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]] |
Revision as of 07:46, 11 July 2024
Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | [1] | 24 June 1987|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*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]
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
| ||
---|---|---|
Argentine professional footballer Eponyms and public art Media
Family Related |
||
This section needs expansion with: 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. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024) |
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]
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
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
Inter Miami
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
International career
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
Player profile
Style of play
Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles;[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'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]
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]
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
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 Ali–Joe 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+1⁄2 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]
In popular culture
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
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 |
- ^ Includes Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, U.S. Open Cup
- ^ All appearances in UEFA Champions League, unless otherwise noted
- ^ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España
- ^ 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
- ^ a b c d e f g h Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
- ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
- ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
International
- As of match played 9 July 2024
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 |
- ^ 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
- ^ Appearances in Summer Olympics
- ^ a b c d e f g h Appearance(s) in FIFA World Cup qualification
- ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in FIFA World Cup
- ^ Six appearances and two goals in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification
- ^ Four appearances in Copa América, four appearances and two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Copa América
- ^ Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América
- ^ Nine appearances and five goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four goals in Copa América
- ^ 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
Barcelona[271]
- La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
- Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21
- Supercopa de España: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
- UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
- UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Paris Saint-Germain[272]
Inter Miami
Argentina U20
Argentina U23
Argentina
Individual
- Ballon d'Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023[note 2]
- FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023[note 2]
- European Golden Shoe: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19[279]
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022[280]
- FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
- FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
- FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005
- FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008–09
- UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2010–11, 2014–15
- UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19
- Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021
- Copa América Top Goalscorer: 2021
- La Liga Best Player: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15,[281][282][283] 2016–17,[284] 2017–18,[285] 2018–19[286]
- Pichichi Trophy: 2009−10, 2011–12, 2012−13, 2016–17, 2017−18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020,[280] 2023[287]
- Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020[288]
- FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[289][290]
- Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023[291]
- Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[281][280][292]
See also
- European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics
- La Liga records and statistics
- List of Argentina international footballers
- List of FC Barcelona players
- List of FC Barcelona records and statistics
- List of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players
- List of Inter Miami CF players
- List of FIFA World Cup winning players
- List of largest sports contracts
- List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
- List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals
- List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
- List of most-followed Instagram accounts
- List of most-liked Instagram posts
- List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
- List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA World Cups
- List of association football rivalries
Notes
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]
- ^ According to Bleacher Report's Richard Fitzpatrick, "Schwarzstein and Messi built up a close relationship during more than four years of treatment."[212]
- ^ 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]
References
- ^ a b c "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: List of Players: Argentina" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ a b Balagué 2013, pp. 32–37.
- ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 10 June 2014. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ Marsden, Sam (2 November 2017). "Messi donates to charity after libel case win". ESPN. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Lacombe, Rémy (11 January 2016). "Messi, le Cinquième Élément" [Messi, the Fifth Element]. France Football (in French). Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015". FIFA. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ Straeten, Karine van der; Laslier, Jean-François; Daoust, Jean-François; Blais, André; Arrondel, Luc; Anderson, Christopher J. (2020). "Messi, Ronaldo, and the Politics of Celebrity Elections: Voting for the Best Soccer Player in the World". Perspectives on Politics. 18: 91–110. doi:10.1017/S1537592719002391. ISSN 1537-5927.
- ^ "Ballon d'Or 2023 : Lionel Messi sacré pour la huitième fois" [Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi crowned for the eighth time] (in French). L'Equipe. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Lionel Messi wins The Best FIFA Men's Player Award". FIFA. 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
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.
- ^ "Messi | Ficha del jugador 20/21 | Delantero". FC Barcelona (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ Caioli 2012, pp. 9–10.
- ^ a b Carlin, John (27 March 2010). "Lionel Messi: Magic in His Feet". The Independent. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 44–45.
- ^ Maume, Chris (11 July 2014). "Lionel Messi: The World at His Feet". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Caioli 2012, p. 38.
- ^ a b c d e f Thompson, Wright (22 October 2012). "Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina". ESPN. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Caioli 2012, pp. 31–35.
- ^ Cazadieu, Jérôme; Juillard, Alexandre; Traïni, Frédéric (15 November 2008). "Leo Messi: La Légende d'El Enano" [Leo Messi: The Legend of El Enano]. L'Équipe via Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b Hawkey, Ian (20 April 2008). "Lionel Messi on a Mission". The Times. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b Wilson, Paul (16 July 2015). "Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Leo Messi reveló el motivo por el que no fichó por River Plate". Sports Illustrated. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Messi: Brazil striker Ronaldo my hero". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Lowe, Sid (15 October 2014). "Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b Longman, Jeré (21 May 2011). "Lionel Messi: Boy Genius". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b Caioli 2012, pp. 61–62.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 149.
- ^ Jenson, Pete (27 March 2010). "Fàbregas, Messi, Piqué: Class of 2002". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Hunter 2012, pp. 44–45.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger". The Guardian. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "The New Messiah". FIFA. 5 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Corrigan, Dermot (15 November 2013). "Messi Reflects on Debut 10 Years On". ESPN. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 246–249.
- ^ Hunter 2012, pp. 35–36.
- ^ Williams, Richard (24 February 2006). "Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Carbonell, Rafael (26 October 2004). "El Último Salto de la 'Pulga'" [The Last Jump of the 'Flea']. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Hunter, Graham (4 June 2015). "Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite". ESPN. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Hunter 2012, pp. 266–269.
- ^ "Lionel Messi has admitted he 'deeply regrets' missing Barcelona's Champions League final celebrations in 2006". Eurosport. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ Lowe, Sid (12 March 2007). "There's Something about Messi". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline". ESPN. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Ronaldinho Cleared for Barça Exit". BBC Sport. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number". FIFA. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09". BDFutbol. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Roden, Lee (20 April 2015). "Are Messi, Suarez and Neymar Barcelona's Best-Ever Front Three?". ESPN. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 453–459.
- ^ "Real Madrid v Barcelona: Six of the Best 'El Clásicos'". The Daily Telegraph. 9 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey". The Daily Telegraph. 14 May 2009. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Adams, Tom (21 May 2010). "The Treble Club". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup". BBC Sport. 19 December 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Messi Sweeps up Goalscoring Honours". UEFA. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ a b Balagué 2013, pp. 519–524.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b Lowe, Sid (17 May 2010). "La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ Haslam, Andrew (22 May 2010). "Messi Takes Scoring Plaudits". Uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ Wilson, Joseph (30 September 2010). "Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer". U-T San Diego. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Magic Messi Wins Supercopa for Barça". ESPN FC. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (28 May 2011). "Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark". Uefa.com. UEFA. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11". ESPN FC. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b Cascarino, Tony; Barclay, Patrick (27 May 2011). "Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever?". The Times. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, p. 512.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12". BDFutbol. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Mohamed, Majid (10 December 2012). "Lionel Messi: The Best Goalscorer Ever but Is the Barcelona Player the Greatest-Ever Footballer?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid". USA Today. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Winter, Henry (26 August 2011). "Barcelona 2 Porto 0: Match Report". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Barcelona Win FIFA Club World Cup". BBC Sport. 18 December 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Messi Crowned World's Best". ESPN FC. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award". UEFA. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics". UEFA. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour". UEFA. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record". The Daily Telegraph. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer". Sports Illustrated. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Messi Smashes Müller's 40-Year Record". ESPN FC. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Brassell, Andy (27 April 2012). "Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Rogers, Iain (10 December 2012). "Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi". Reuters. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ a b Mohamed, Majid (8 January 2013). "Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ Chowdhury, Saj (9 January 2013). "Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ a b Schnibben, Cordt (6 June 2012). "The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d Ritter, Karl (12 July 2014). "Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World". Boston Globe. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Messi, goals for 2010". Mundo Deportivo (Spanish). 7 December 2009.
- ^ "Lionel Messi becomes the 'Atomic Flea'". Goal. 20 September 2012.
- ^ "Messi, The Atomic Flea who became the best in the world". AS (Spanish). 28 January 2016.
- ^ a b c Garside, Kevin (29 March 2010). "Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Brown, Lucas (30 September 2005). "Lionel Messi – the New Maradona?". UEFA. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ a b Reng, Ronald (27 May 2011). "Lionel Messi". FT Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, p. 553.
- ^ a b Monti, Fabio (8 April 2010). "Controllo, Corsa, Tocco di Palla: Perché nel Calcio Piccolo è Bello" [Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever". The Sportster. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, goals, records, highlights, Juventus, hat trick, statistics, best stats, age, break down". Fox Sports. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "As Lionel Messi turns 32, a fan ruminates on the ambivalent legacy of the football wizard". Telegraph India. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Lionel Messi steals the show for Barcelona at Dundee United". The Daily Telegraph. 27 July 2008. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ a b Tomas, Francesc (25 June 2015). "Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best". ESPN FC. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Most goals via free-kicks in football history". Sports Adda. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Copeland, Robbie (4 July 2021). "Lionel Messi becomes top free-kick scorer among active players". 90min.com. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ del Río, Joel (22 February 2017). "The art of the chip: Falcao matches Totti, Messi and Raul". Marca. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- ^ Cohen, Roger (21 June 2010). "The Loose Vuvuzela". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ Davis, Scott (6 June 2015). "Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend". Business Insider. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ Ronay, Barney (7 May 2015). "Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical rules". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 155–156, 405–406.
- ^ West, Andy (19 March 2015). "Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ Tweedale, Alistair (21 May 2016). "How Luis Suarez moved Lionel Messi onto Barcelona's wing and became the best centre-forward on the planet". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- ^ Martin, Richard (19 April 2015). "In focus: Messi's changing role". UEFA. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ^ a b Balagué, Guillem; Wright, Nick; Smith, Adam (30 October 2017). "Barcelona's improvement under Ernesto Valverde examined". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- ^ Siregar, Cady (7 March 2018). "Barcelona top-scorer Lionel Messi explains how has role has developed under Valverde". Squawka. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Butt, Muhammad (12 August 2018). "Dembele is going nowhere: Five things learned from Barcelona's Super Cup win v Sevilla". Squawka. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "Valverde returns Messi to the False 9 role". Marca. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Sanz, Sergi (11 November 2017). "Valverde recycles Messi". Marca. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Chandler, Michael J. (6 January 2018). "3 ways Barcelona could line up with Coutinho". The Score. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- ^ Clarke, Tom (19 February 2018). "Dissected: How the new Barcelona play – and why there's hope for Chelsea". The Times. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- ^ "Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever". the Sportster. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ Haugstad, Thore (28 July 2017). "FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.2, Lionel Messi". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ Rangarajan, Aditya (6 December 2018). "Lionel Messi misses out on World's best Playmaker 2018 title, finishes second to Real Madrid star". Fox Sports Asia. Archived from the original on 8 December 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ Hayward, Ben (23 October 2012). "How Messi went from injury-prone teenager to bionic man". Goal. Footballco. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ Cox, Michael (13 November 2014). "Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role". ESPN FC. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ Mazur, Martin (18 June 2016). "Argentina's great tactical dilemma: where should Lionel Messi play?". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ "Maradona: Messi is my successor". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Davies, Christopher (24 February 2006). "Maradona Hails His Successor". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2015. (subscription required)
- ^ "Messi: I'm Not the Best". FIFA. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Maradona Hails Messi as Successor". BBC Sport. 24 February 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Ball, Phil (23 February 2006). "Britain v Spain (Sort Of)". ESPN FC. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Minshull, Phil (30 March 2010). "Is Messi the Greatest Ever?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Veré Jamás" [Messi Is the Best Player I Have Ever Seen]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 29 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever?". The Daily Telegraph. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Magical Messi Grabs Hat-trick in Copa America as Argentina Romp into Quarters". The Daily Telegraph. Agence France-Presse. 11 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Jenson, Pete (30 May 2015). "Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Cairns, Dan (8 January 2013). "How Does Lionel Messi Stack up against Football Legends?". BBC Newsbeat. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi y el título de Argentina en la Copa América 2021: "Necesitaba sacarme la espina". ESPN Argentina. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ^ Lisi 2011, pp. 533–539.
- ^ "Valdano: 'Messi Es Maradona Todos Los Días'" [Valdano: 'Messi Is Maradona Every Day'] (in Spanish). FIFA. 7 October 2013. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Menotti: 'Messi Está al Nivel del Mejor Maradona Que Vi'" [Menotti: 'Messi Is at the Level of the Best Maradona That I Saw']. AS (in Spanish). 10 January 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Hunter 2012, pp. 7–8.
- ^ Brennan, Dan (12 August 2013). "Face to Face: Javier Zanetti". World Soccer. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Sin Dudas, Messi Es Mejor que Maradona" [Without Doubt, Messi Is Better than Maradona]. Clarín (in Spanish). 31 December 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ a b Himmelman, Jeff (5 June 2014). "The Burden of Being Messi". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ Longman, Jeré (12 July 2014). "Adept? Yes. Adored? Not Yet". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Mora y Araujo, Marcela (23 December 2009). "Lionel Messi Is Not the New Maradona – He Can Be Better than That". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 414–420.
- ^ a b "Tim Vickery: Lionel Messi can now be recognised alongside Diego Maradona by Argentinians". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Vomits Because of Nerves, Says Argentina's Alejandro Sabella". The Guardian. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Diego Maradona: Lionel Messi lacks the leadership needed to carry a team". ESPN FC. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ Tilghman, John (4 November 2010). "Maradona vs. Messi: A Laughable Comparison". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ West, Andy (22 November 2018). "Lionel Messi: Is Barcelona forward really cut out for captaincy?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ Hunter, Graham (28 November 2010). "The game's best rivalry". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Messi v Ronaldo". Sky Sports. 17 October 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
- ^ "The Special Two". The Times. 21 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ "Barcelona's Lionel Messi Blames Media for Inventing Rivalry with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo". The Daily Telegraph. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Snowball, Ben (11 June 2015). "Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not My Rival". Eurosport. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ a b West, Andy (22 March 2014). "Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ "Ballons d'Or winners list". The Telegraph. 2 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022.
- ^ Arotaritei, Sorin; Di Maggio, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Golden Boot (Soulier d'Or) Awards". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Mendes, Chris (24 June 2014). "World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo's Personal Duel with Lionel Messi Is Affecting His Performances for Portugal". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Hughes, Rob (13 September 2011). "Ronaldo May Look Like the Best, but There Is Someone Better". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Pinto, Pedro; Montague, James (29 May 2012). "Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm Better than Messi". CNN. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Lewis, Tim (24 November 2013). "Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Badenhausen, Kurt (16 May 2014). "Lionel Messi Reaches $50 Million-A-Year Deal With Barcelona". Forbes. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Usry, Rob (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi puts the GOAT debate to rest with storybook World Cup win". SBNation.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ McIntyre, Doug (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi Cements His Goat Status With A Little Help From His Friends". Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ Sharland, Pete (18 December 2022). "World Cup 2022 Final: Win Or Lose, Argentina Star Lionel Messi Has Settled The Goat Debate Forever". ESPN. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Notarianni, Roberto (25 March 2015). "Messi, la (Très) Bonne Paie" [Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll]. France Football. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ Rainbow, Jamie (18 March 2014). "Stat of the Day: Top 20 Best Paid Players and Coaches". World Soccer. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Reynolds, Ben (8 June 2016). "Cristiano Ronaldo first footballer to top Forbes rich list of highest-earning athletes". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
- ^ ""Lionel Messi devance largement Cristiano Ronaldo au classement des joueurs les mieux payés au monde"". Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ "Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo to head Forbes top 100 highest paid athletes". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ Balagué 2013, p. 472.
- ^ Heydari, Keyvan Antonio (26 May 2009). "Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Balagué 2013, p. 556.
- ^ a b ""Lionel Messi Signs New Barcelona Contract, Set To Become World's Highest-Paid Footballer"". Forbes. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ "World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players: Messi Wins, Mbappe Rises". Forbes. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Lionel Messi's Argentina jerseys are sold out worldwide". CNN. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ Long, Michael (20 May 2015). "The World's 50 Most Marketable 2015". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Caioli 2012, pp. 94–97.
- ^ "Retrospect: Adidas F50 Messi Collection". Soccer Bible. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ "Backed by Messi" (Press release). Adidas. 25 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ "adidas Football Launches Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility". Soccer Bible. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Leo Messi's Barcelona Shirt Is the Most Sold Worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ Matchett, Karl (25 April 2017). "The Story Behind Lionel Messi's 5 Most Iconic Barcelona Celebrations". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- ^ a b "The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi". SportsPro. 27 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Badenhausen, Kurt (10 January 2011). "Lionel Messi Voted Soccer's Best, But Sponsors Stay Away". Forbes. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi and Dolce & Gabbana: An Assist in Style" (PDF) (Press release). Dolce & Gabbana. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Millerchip, Oliver (3 February 2014). "Messi to Front New Gillette Campaign". SportsPro. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Argentine Soccer Star Leo Messi Named Global Brand Ambassador for Turkish Airlines". Reuters (Press release). 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ McPherson, Ian (28 February 2013). "Messi Cashes in with Qatari Contract". SportsPro. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Is Global Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors". Firstpost. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ Guinness World Records 2014, p. 102.
- ^ "Lionel Messi to Star on Cover of EA Sports FIFA for Fourth Straight Year". Sports Illustrated. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Henry, Thierry (21 April 2011). "The 2011 Time 100: Lionel Messi, God of the Field". Time. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Hamm, Mia (18 April 2012). "The World's 100 Most Influential People 2012: Lionel Messi". Time. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Federer, Roger (13 April 2023). "The 100 Most Influential People of 2023: Lionel Messi". Time. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Messi Joins Facebook, Nets 7 m Followers". ESPN. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Giuliano, Karissa (9 June 2015). "The 10 Most Popular Celebrities on Facebook". CNBC. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Sets Instagram Record With World Cup Victory Post". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ Madhok, Diksha (21 December 2022). "Lionel Messi's World Cup photos are most-liked Instagram post ever". CNN. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ Borg, Chris (2 December 2014). "Ballon D'Or: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo – Battle of the Brands". CNN. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Top 10 Most Marketable Footballers in the World" (PDF) (Press release). Repucom. 28 May 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Gibson: Messi is a tourist attraction". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Lionel Messi's Madame Tussauds Waxwork Unveiled At Wembley". Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Messi's Left Foot – Yours for $5.25 Million". CNN. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Krasselt, Kaitlyn (21 June 2014). "Cannes to Cannes: YouTube's Most Viewed Ads". USA Today. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Lorenzetti, Laura (3 June 2015). "YouTube Users Say This Is the 'Ad of the Decade'". Time. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "World Cup final photo of Lionel Messi eyeing trophy wins prize". ESPN. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Barker, Andrew (27 August 2014). "Venice Film Review: 'Messi'". Variety. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Hard Rock International Begins Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration By Announcing Partnership With Lionel Messi" Archived 21 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine. PR Newswire. Retrieved 11 June 2021
- ^ Zidan, Karim (12 May 2022). "Lionel Messi earned $122m last year. He still felt the need to take Saudi money". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ Farukh, Rimal (20 June 2022). "Messi Is Accused of Being the Face of a Blood-Soaked Regime". VICE. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ PTI (1 May 2023). "Kerala's iconic Thrissur Pooram held in full grandeur featuring Lionel Messi during 'Kudamattam". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Lionel Messi steals the show at Kerala's Iconic Thrissur Pooram". TimesNow. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Lionel Messi's wife explains her absence at World Cup opener that left him broken hearted". USAHint. 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- ^ "Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century'". BBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ Francombe, Amy (19 December 2022). "Antonela Roccuzzo — the first lady of Argentinean football". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Richard (23 June 2017). "The Machine of '87: Messi's Boyhood Teammates Recall Early Signs of Greatness". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ "Messi Shares Baby Joy". beIN Sports. 17 June 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Messi Junior Named Thiago". ESPN FC. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says". ESPN FC. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi marries stunning childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Argentine home town". Irish Independent. July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo expecting their third child". ESPN FC. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ Lisi, Clemente (16 September 2020). "A Messi situation: Examining the faith of the world's greatest soccer player". Religion Unplugged. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 31, 143, 570.
- ^ a b c d Balagué 2013, pp. 576–577.
- ^ Wright, Chris (5 November 2012). "After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's Old Boys". ESPN FC. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi reaffirms desire to return to Newell's Old Boys before retirement". ESPN FC. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Montes, Silvia (4 May 2019). "Leo Messi, llamado a votar en las próximas elecciones italianas". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ "Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador". UNICEF. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ Rogers, Iain; Palmer, Justin (12 November 2013). "Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Leo Messi Activity Highlights". UNICEF. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ "Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF" (Press release). UNICEF. 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Fast Facts". CNN. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in Algeria". Arab Times. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "'Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports". New England Sports Network. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Partners". Leo Messi Foundation. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity". ESPN. 7 June 2016.
- ^ "Messi, Guardiola donate $1.08 million each to coronavirus battle". Reuters. 25 March 2020.
- ^ Grez, Matias. "Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi donate to hospitals in fight against coronavirus". WFSB. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ Settimi, Christina. "Lionel Messi's Coronavirus Wage Cut Could Cost Him $50 Million". Forbes. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel". ESPN. 24 June 2016.
- ^ "Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team". Marca. Spain. 18 November 2016.
- ^ Sport (12 February 2021). "Adidas and Messi donate boots to Art Museum to be auctioned in April". Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ a b Uki, Goni (14 April 2021). "Lionel Messi helps obtain 50,000 Covid vaccines for South American players". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences". Sports Illustrated. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ "Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father". ESPN FC. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ Caioli 2012, pp. 69–71.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04". BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05". BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07". BDFutbol. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2007–08". BDFutbol. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09". BDFutbol. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12". BDFutbol. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2012–13". BDFutbol. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2013–14". BDFutbol. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2014–15". BDFutbol. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2015–16". BDFutbol. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2016–17". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2017–18". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2018–19". BDFutbol. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2019–20". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2020–21". BDFutbol. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2021–22". BDFutbol. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2022–23". BDFutbol. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 209–219.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 220–240.
- ^ Balagué 2013, pp. 436–437.
- ^ "La selección catalana pierde ante Argentina (0–1) en un partido marcado por la política". El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 27 May 2008.
- ^ "Fiesta y equilibrio". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 25 May 2008. p. 18. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022.
- ^ Hawkey, Ian (30 December 2013). "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ Mamrud, Roberto (19 January 2024). "Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Lionel Messi: Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi". FC Barcelona.
- ^ "Lionel Messi". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 4 June 2023.
- ^ Sigal, Jonathan (20 August 2023). "Lionel Messi & Inter Miami are Leagues Cup champions!". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands". FIFA. July 2005. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Report and Statistics: Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments Beijing 2008" (PDF). FIFA. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ Church, Ben (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina wins World Cup after beating France in sensational final". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ Das, Andrew (11 July 2021). "Messi and Argentina Beat Brazil to Win the Copa América". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Argentina's Lionel Messi named official Finalissima Player of the Match". UEFA. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ Pettigrove, Jason (16 October 2019). "A Sixth Golden Shoe Sees Lionel Messi Stand Alone". Forbes. ISSN 0015-6914. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Toby Davis; Ed Osmond, eds. (18 December 2022). "Argentina's Lionel Messi: World Cup goals, stats and career highlights". Reuters. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ a b Otero, Paul M. (12 November 2013). "Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos" [Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies]. Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador" [Messi, Best Forward and Best Player] (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ "Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player". Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ "Lionel Messi Beats Cristiano Ronaldo To La Liga Best Player Award". soccerladuma. 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Leo Messi reçoit le Pichichi et MVP de la Liga 2017–18". FC Barcelona. 12 November 2018. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- ^ "Lionel Messi wins La Liga best player award for 2018–19 season". barcablaugranes.com. 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Laureus Sport Awards: Lionel Messi & Argentina World Cup team win Laureus awards". BBC Sport. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ Crépin, Timothé (14 December 2020). "Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende !" (in French). France Football. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Lionel Messi: World 11 through the years". FIFPRO. 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "In focus: All Messi's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 inclusions". FIFA. 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Por segunda vez en la historia, el Olimpia de Oro fue compartido: Lionel Messi y Belén Casetta fueron galardonados por su 2023". Clarín (in Spanish). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "Belén Casetta compartió el Olimpia de Oro con Lionel Messi" (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
Bibliography
- Balagué, Guillem (2013). Messi. Orion Books. ISBN 978-1-4091-4659-9.
- Caioli, Luca (2012). Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend. Corinthian Books. ISBN 978-1-906850-40-1.
- Caioli, Luca (2015). Messi: More than a Superstar. Icon Books. ISBN 978-1-906850-91-3.
- Guinness World Records 2015. Guinness World Records. 2014. ISBN 978-1-908843-65-4.
- Hunter, Graham (2012). Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World. BackPage Press. ISBN 978-0-9564971-8-5.
- Lisi, Clemente Angelo (2011). A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7754-2.
- Tomkins, Paul (2007). Above Us Only Sky: Liverpool FC's Global Revolution. Anchor Print Group. ISBN 978-0-9556367-0-7.
External links
- Official website
- Profile at Inter Miami
- Profile at PSG
- Profile at FC Barcelona
- Profile at La Liga
- Profile at Ligue 1
- Profile at MLS
- Lionel Messi at BDFutbol
- Lionel Messi at Soccerbase
- Lionel Messi at Soccerway
- Lionel Messi at National-Football-Teams.com
- Lionel Messi – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Lionel Messi – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Lionel Messi
- 1987 births
- Living people
- 2006 FIFA World Cup players
- 2007 Copa América players
- 2010 FIFA World Cup players
- 2011 Copa América players
- 2014 FIFA World Cup players
- 2015 Copa América players
- 2018 FIFA World Cup players
- 2019 Copa América players
- 2021 Copa América players
- 2022 FIFA World Cup players
- 2024 Copa América players
- FIFA World Cup-winning players
- Argentina men's international footballers
- Argentina men's under-20 international footballers
- Argentina men's youth international footballers
- Argentine emigrants to Spain
- Argentine expatriate men's footballers
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in France
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Argentine men's footballers
- Argentine fraudsters
- Argentine people of Catalan descent
- Argentine sportspeople of Italian descent
- Argentine sportspeople of Spanish descent
- Argentine philanthropists
- Argentine Roman Catholics
- Ballon d'Or winners
- Copa América Centenario players
- Copa América-winning players
- Designated Players (MLS)
- Expatriate men's footballers in France
- Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
- Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
- FC Barcelona players
- FC Barcelona Atlètic players
- FC Barcelona C players
- FIFA Men's Century Club
- FIFA World Player of the Year winners
- Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Footballers from Barcelona
- Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe
- Golden Boy winners
- Inter Miami CF players
- Laureus World Sports Awards winners
- La Liga players
- Ligue 1 players
- Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Men's association football forwards
- Naturalised citizens of Spain
- Olympic footballers for Argentina
- Olympic gold medalists for Argentina
- Olympic medalists in football
- Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players
- People convicted of fraud
- People convicted of tax crimes
- People named in the Panama Papers
- Pichichi Trophy winners
- Segunda División B players
- Argentine sportspeople convicted of crimes
- Tercera División players
- The Best FIFA Men's Player winners
- UEFA Champions League winning players
- UEFA Champions League top scorers
- UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award winners
- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors
- World record holders
- Major League Soccer players