Lionel Messi
Argentine footballer, record-holder, and most decorated player in history.
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, is a forward and captain of Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. He is widely considered one of football's all-time greats, holding records for individual honors that include eight Ballons d'Or, six European Golden Shoes, and eight FIFA World Player of the Year awards. In 2024, ESPN named him the greatest player of the 21st century, and the IFFHS designated him the All Time Men's World Best Player in 2025. He became the first team-sport athlete to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, taking the prize in 2020 and 2023. Time magazine listed him among the world's 100 most influential people in 2011, 2012, and 2023.
Messi is the most decorated footballer ever, with 46 team trophies from over 1,150 career appearances. His records include 91 goals in a single calendar year, 12 assists in FIFA World Cup history, and 65 assists for his national team. Across club and country, he has scored more than 920 senior goals and provided over 420 assists, ranking second all-time in goals and first in assists. Forbes ranked him the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019 and 2022. In 2020, he became the second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings, and by 2026 his net worth of $1.1 billion placed him on Forbes' World's Billionaires list.
Messi debuted competitively for Barcelona's first team in 2004 at age 17, quickly gaining recognition as a top young talent and winning the FIFPro Young Player of the Year three times in a row from 2006 to 2008. His first full season, 2008–09, saw Barcelona achieve Spanish football's first treble, and Messi won the first of four consecutive Ballons d'Or. By 2011–12, he had set the European record for most goals in a season and become Barcelona's all-time top scorer. During 2014–15, he formed the MSN trio with Luis Suárez and Neymar, leading Barcelona to a second treble and earning his fifth Ballon d'Or.
He became Barcelona's captain in 2018. Over his time there, he won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. He also set records for most goals for a single club (672) and most in La Liga (474). Barcelona's financial troubles forced his departure in 2021, and he signed with Paris Saint-Germain, winning two Ligue 1 titles. In 2023, he joined Inter Miami, leading them to their first M
- born
- 24 June 1987
- field
- Professional footballer
- nationality
- Argentine
- known_for
- Eight Ballons d'Or, six European Golden Shoes, most goals in a calendar year (91), most assists in FIFA World Cup (12), most assists in international football (65)
Lore & Background
Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina. He began playing at age four for local club Abanderado Grandoli, coached by his father. At age seven he joined Newell's Old Boys, scoring nearly 500 goals in six years. Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age 10, he started therapy at 11; Newell's initially agreed to contribute but later reneged. After trials with River Plate fell through due to Newell's refusal to release his player card, Messi's family arranged a trial with Barcelona in September 2000. Barcelona signed him after director Carles Rexach wrote a contract on a paper napkin. Messi moved to Barcelona in February 2001, struggled initially with homesickness and limited play, but after enrollment in the RFEF in February 2002, he became a key part of the 'Baby Dream Team.' He made his competitive debut for Barcelona in 2004 at age 17.
Reader's Guide
Messi's significance lies in his unprecedented accumulation of individual and team honors. He won 34 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues, and set records for most goals for a single club (672) and most goals in La Liga (474). After financial difficulties forced his departure in 2021, he won two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain, then joined Inter Miami in 2023, leading them to their first MLS Cup in 2025 and winning league MVP in 2024 and 2025. For Argentina, he is the all-time leading goalscorer (125) and most-capped player (207). He led Argentina to victory at the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup (winning the Golden Ball twice), and the 2024 Copa América. At the 2026 World Cup, he led Argentina to a second consecutive final, winning the Silver Boot and Silver Ball, then retired from international football. Off the field, he became the second footballer to surpass $1 billion in career earnings and appeared on Forbes' billionaires list in 2026 with a net worth of $1.1 billion.
Did You Know?
- Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age 10 and began therapy at age 11.
- He scored 91 goals in a calendar year, a record.
- He is the most decorated player in professional football history with 46 team trophies.
- He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US president Joe Biden in 2025.
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