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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.

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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.

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Latest Index

2026

NewsChecked against a primary source or trusted newsroom.

ScopeOnly attributable updates about Lionel Messi's work and public record.

News
Free-kick goal takes Messi to 20 league goals in 2026
Messi scored directly from a free kick as Inter Miami drew San Diego FC 2-2. The club's report said he reached 20 MLS goals and led the Golden Boot race after the completed match.
20 Sept 2026Official Inter Miami match report
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Award
Becomes the first Inter Miami player to score 100 goals
Messi reached 100 goals for Inter Miami in his 115th appearance, adding another club record three years after joining the team.
16 Sept 2026Official Inter Miami milestone report
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Award
Wins the 2026 Campeones Cup with Inter Miami
Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to claim the club's fifth trophy, with Messi part of the championship side.
16 Sept 2026Official Inter Miami match report
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News
Retires from Argentina duty after the 2026 World Cup
Messi ended a senior international career of more than two decades after captaining Argentina to the World Cup final, retiring with the 2022 title and two Copa América championships.
31 Aug 2026Official FIFA retirement report
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Award
Leads Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup
Inter Miami beat Vancouver 3-1 in the 2025 final. Messi supplied two assists and was named MLS Cup MVP.
6 Dec 2025Official Inter Miami final report
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Latest Index

Free-kick goal takes Messi to 20 league goals in 2026

Becomes the first Inter Miami player to score 100 goals

Wins the 2026 Campeones Cup with Inter Miami

Retires from Argentina duty after the 2026 World Cup

Leads Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup