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Lionel Messi

Professional footballer

Born 1987

Lionel Messi is an Argentine footballer whose low centre of gravity, close control, passing and finishing made him the defining player of his generation. Born in Rosario, he began playing at Grandoli at four and joined Newell's Old Boys at eight. A growth-hormone deficiency required daily injections during childhood; at 13 he moved with his family to Barcelona, where he entered FC Barcelona's academy and endured early registration and injury setbacks before reaching the first team in 2004. Ronaldinho supplied the pass for his first senior goal, the start of a 17-season Barcelona career in which Messi became the club's record scorer and won 34 team trophies, including ten LaLiga titles, seven Copas del Rey and four UEFA Champions Leagues. His game developed from an explosive wide forward into a prolific scorer, creator and captain. After two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain, he joined Inter Miami in 2023 and led the club to the Leagues Cup, Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup and 2026 Campeones Cup. Internationally, Messi won the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Olympic gold, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He retired from Argentina duty after captaining the team to the 2026 World Cup final and continues to play for Inter Miami under a contract through 2028.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

Keep exploring

Connected people

ConnectionAntonela RoccuzzoWife and childhood connection from Rosario; they raise three sons together.

ConnectionLuis SuárezLongtime Barcelona teammate who reunited with Messi at Inter Miami.

ConnectionSergio BusquetsShared Barcelona's most successful era and later joined Messi at Inter Miami.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2026
FIFACompetitive win
FIFA World Cup Silver Boot
Lionel Messi
Official record
2025
Major League SoccerCompetitive win
Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player
Lionel Messi
Official record
2025
Major League SoccerCompetitive win
MLS Golden Boot
Lionel Messi
Official record
2025
Major League SoccerCompetitive win
MLS Cup Most Valuable Player
Lionel Messi
Official record
2024
Major League SoccerCompetitive win
Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player
Lionel Messi
Official record
2023
France FootballCompetitive win
Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2022
FIFACompetitive win
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Lionel Messi
Official record
2021
France FootballCompetitive win
Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2019
France FootballCompetitive win
Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2015
France FootballCompetitive win
Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2014
FIFACompetitive win
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Lionel Messi
Official record
2012
FIFA and France FootballCompetitive win
FIFA Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2011
FIFA and France FootballCompetitive win
FIFA Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2010
FIFA and France FootballCompetitive win
FIFA Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2009
France FootballCompetitive win
Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi
Official record
2005
FIFACompetitive win
FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball
Lionel Messi
Official record
2005
FIFACompetitive win
FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot
Lionel Messi
Official record

FIFA World Cup Silver Boot

Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player

MLS Golden Boot

MLS Cup Most Valuable Player

Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player

Ballon d'Or

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball

Ballon d'Or

Ballon d'Or

Ballon d'Or

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball

FIFA Ballon d'Or

FIFA Ballon d'Or

FIFA Ballon d'Or

Ballon d'Or

FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball

FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot