Lionel Messi Rank
About Lionel Messi
The Argentine professional footballer is globally acclaimed as the world’s best footballer of his time and one of the most tactical in the history of sports. He beat his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, to the Ballon d’Or when he was named the world’s best footballer for the 7th time in 2021. Many consider him the successor of fellow Argentine forward Diego Maradona; a comparison that the deceased football legend seconded.
Early Life & Amateur Football
Born in Santa Fe Province in 1987, this Argentine superstar started playing soccer at an early age for a club his father was coaching. In 1995 he transferred to Newell's Old Boys. He also played for the Machine of 87, a local youth team. During this period, he lost only one match.
Career Highlights
Impressed by Messi's prowess, the sporting director of FC Barcelona Carles Rexach signed him to a contract and helped him relocate to Spain. November 2003 saw him make his first appearance against Portuguese club Porto in a friendly match.
In 2004, Messi debuted for the Barcelona B team where he averaged more than a goal for every game, scoring 35 goals in 30 matches.
He made his official debut for the team against RCD Espanyol. He was the youngest player to ever score a goal for the team against Albacete Balompié. He also held a record as the youngest to ever score in a La Liga game for FC Barcelona. Later that year, he captained Argentina in the under-20 World Cup where he scored two penalty kicks to qualify the team.
He went ahead to win the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. The following year, he netted two goals in the El Classico tournament. The match ended with a 6-2 win for Barcelona.
He continued to lead Barcelona in many victorious matches. Later in 2009, after finishing in the runner-up positions two consecutive times, he was crowned the FIFA “World Player of the Year.”
He improved tactically over the period and led Barcelona to make appearances at La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup Championships in 2010 and 2011.
The final months in 2012 saw him reach an impressive record of 91 goals both internationally and in club. In January 2013, and for the 4th time, he won the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
During the 2016 Copa América Centenario playoffs, he scored his 55th goal and broke Gabriel Batistuta’s goal scoring record.
Transfer to PSG
After playing more than 500 games and scoring over 470 goals for Barcelona, Messi transferred to Paris Saint-Germain. He made his debut for the French club in August 2021.
Controversy
In 2019, the South American Football Confederation slapped him with a three-game ban after he had rebuked referees who officiated their match against Brazil.
Humanitarian Works
In 2007, he started his Leo Messi Foundation to support disadvantaged youngsters and to connect them with opportunities. Four years later, UNICEF appointed him as a goodwill ambassador.
Accolades won by Lionel Messi
As of 2022, he is Argentina’s all-time best goal scorer and with the most appearances. He has made over 160 appearances for his country. In those games, he found the net more than 80 times.
While he was at the youth division, he was named the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.
After finishing as the runner-up at the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa América tournament, the Argentine finally won the coveted trophy in 2021.
In 2020, he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, making him the 1st footballer and club athlete to obtain the title.
With Barcelona, he won the La Liga a whopping 10 times. He also won the Copa del Rey trophy seven times.
Perhaps his greatest continental achievement came when he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy for the fourth time with Barcelona in 2015.
Also with Barcelona, he won the FIFA Club World Cup three times – in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
During his playing spell in Spain, he was crowned the La Liga Best Player six times.
From 2009 to 2019, he won the European Golden Shoe six times.
As of 2021, he has been crowned Argentine Footballer of the Year 14 times, a record that will most likely remain intact for many years to come.
In December of 2022, the Argentine star solidified his legendary status by adding the prestigious FIFA World Cup title as well as a "Golden Ball" award to his tall list of accolades. Messi was instrumental, and single handedly led Argentina to clinch a third FIFA World Cup glory at the end of the tournament held in Qatar.
Personal Life
In 2017, the Argentine football great married his longtime sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo. Antonella is a Rosario native and has known the footballer since she was five. The couple has three sons as of 2021.
Trivia
In 2016, Messi and his father were in the news over tax fraud allegations. He however denied any wrongdoing in court, citing they were unaware of any tax irregularities.
France Football reported he was the highest paid footballer for the years between 2009 and 2014.
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F.A.Q. about Lionel Messi
When is his birthday?
Lionel Messi's birthday is on June 24, 1987.
In how many days is his birthday?
Lionel Messi's birthday is in 108 days
How old is he?
He is 37 years old.
Where is Lionel Messi from?
He was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.
What is Lionel Messi's height?
He is 5′ 7″ (1.70m) tall.