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Everything to know about the extraordinary life and career of Lionel Messi, a player who redefined football excellence, exploring his personal life, stats and achievements, rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo and wealth.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. 

He plays forward and captain for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.  

Messi is renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills, precise passing and prolific goalscoring ability. 

Throughout his career, he has achieved numerous individual awards, including a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, given to the world’s best player. He has also been named the world’s best player by FIFA eight times.

Messi’s impact on football extends beyond his individual achievements. He has led his teams to numerous titles, including multiple Champions League and La Liga titles with Barcelona. 

He also captained Argentina to victory in the Copa America in 2021, ending their long wait for a major international trophy, claiming a World Cup in 2022 and retaining the Copa in 2024.

Lionel Messi Full Name

Lionel Messi’s full name is Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini. 

Lionel Messi Age

Lionel Messi Age Lionel Messi is 37 years old (as of March 2025). He was born on June 24, 1987.

Lionel Messi Height

Lionel Messi is 5 feet 7 inches tall (1.70m).

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Where was Lionel Messi born? 

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina. However, his family relocated to Spain when he was 13, joining Barcelona. 

Lionel Messi Biography

Lionel Messi’s passion for football blossomed in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. 

He joined local club Grandoli at the age of four, where his father was his coach. His maternal grandmother, Celia, played a significant role in nurturing his love for the game, accompanying him to training and matches. 

Her passing, shortly before his eleventh birthday, deeply affected Messi, and he continues to pay tribute to her by pointing to the sky after scoring goals.

At seven, Messi joined Newell’s Old Boys, his boyhood club. He quickly rose through the ranks, scoring almost 500 goals as a member of “The Machine of ’87”, a formidable youth side. 

However, his promising career was threatened when he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age ten. Newell’s initially agreed to help cover the expensive treatment costs but later reneged on their promise.

Rise to stardom at Barcelona

Faced with financial challenges, Messi’s family sought opportunities in Europe. In 2000, they arranged a trial with Barcelona, and his talent immediately impressed the club’s technical staff. 

Despite initial hesitation due to his young age and the challenges of signing foreign players, Barcelona offered Messi a contract, famously written on a paper napkin.

Messi’s early years at Barcelona were marked by homesickness and challenges adapting to a new environment. However, he persevered, and his talent shone through. 

He quickly progressed through the club’s youth ranks, becoming an integral part of the “Baby Dream Team”, Barcelona’s greatest-ever youth side.

At 16, Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in a friendly match against Porto. His performance impressed the coaching staff, and he began training regularly with the senior squad. 

He was soon befriended by Ronaldinho, who recognised his exceptional talent and helped him integrate into the team.

Messi’s rise to stardom was swift. He made his La Liga debut in 2004 and scored his first senior goal in 2005, becoming the youngest-ever scorer for Barcelona at the time. 

He continued to break records, establishing himself as a key player for Barcelona and helping them win numerous titles, including La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.

Success under Pep Guardiola

Messi’s partnership with manager Pep Guardiola proved particularly fruitful. Guardiola’s possession-based system maximised Messi’s strengths, allowing him to flourish as a false nine and a creative playmaker. 

Under Guardiola, Barcelona achieved unprecedented success, winning six trophies in a calendar year, including a historic treble in 2009.

Messi’s individual brilliance also earned him numerous accolades during this period. He won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, followed by three more consecutive awards from 2010 to 2012. 

He also became Barcelona’s all-time top scorer in 2012, surpassing Cesar Rodriguez’s long-standing record.

Record-breaking feats and “Messidependencia”

Messi’s goalscoring exploits continued to break records. In 2012, he scored an astonishing 91 goals in a calendar year, surpassing Gerd Muller’s previous record (85 goals). 

However, his exceptional performances also led to the concept of “Messidependencia”, highlighting Barcelona’s perceived over-reliance on their star player.

MSN

To alleviate the pressure on Messi, Barcelona signed Neymar and Luis Suarez, forming the formidable attacking trio known as ‘MSN’. 

This trio broke numerous goalscoring records, leading Barcelona to another treble in 2015. Messi continued to win individual awards, including a fifth Ballon d’Or in 2016.

Final years at Barcelona

Messi’s final years at Barcelona were marked by continued success, but also by growing frustration with the club’s management and financial difficulties. 

In 2021, he shocked the football world by announcing his departure from Barcelona after a long and illustrious career.

He joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2021, reuniting with Neymar. In his first season, he helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title and received a record seventh Ballon d’Or. 

Despite a mixed time in Paris, Messi contributed to PSG’s success in the following season, winning another Ligue 1 title and surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time highest goalscorer in European club football.

Inter Miami and Argentina success

In July 2023, Messi made a move to Major League Soccer (MLS), joining Inter Miami CF. He led the team to their first-ever trophy, winning the Leagues Cup in his debut season. 

Messi’s impact on MLS was immediate, as he broke numerous records and led Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield in 2024.

On the international stage, Messi has represented Argentina with pride and passion. He led the U20 team to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and won an Olympic gold medal with the U23 team in 2008. 

With the senior national team, he faced numerous disappointments, including three consecutive Copa America final losses and a World Cup final defeat in 2014. 

However, he finally achieved international glory in 2021, captaining Argentina to victory in the Copa America and ending their 28-year trophy drought.

Messi continued his international success, leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

He also became the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers and the second-highest international goalscorer of all time.

Lionel Messi Salary

Lionel Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is around $12 million annually ($230,000 weekly). 

However, his total compensation is significantly higher due to bonuses and commercial deals. 

It is reported that his total guaranteed compensation is just over $20.4 million.

His deal also includes revenue-sharing agreements with partners like Apple and Adidas, further increasing his earnings.

Lionel Messi Stats (Lionel Messi Goals)

Lionel Messi has scored 740 club senior goals and 112 international strikes (as of March 2025), totalling 852 goals for club and country. 

Messi netted 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 times for PSG and has found the back of the net 36 times for Inter Miami.

The legendary attacker found the net 474 times in LaLiga and scored 129 goals in the Champions League before departing European football. 

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo

The Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry is arguably the greatest in the history of football, captivating fans and pundits for over a decade. 

The rivalry began in the late 2000s when both Messi and Ronaldo emerged as the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. 

Their first encounter on the pitch came in the 2007-08 Champions League semi-final, where Manchester United (with Ronaldo) edged out Barcelona (with Messi).

The rivalry intensified when Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009, setting the stage for numerous El Clasico clashes, where the two faced each other at least twice a season. These matches were often seen as the ultimate battleground to determine who was the better player.

The period between 2009 and 2018 was arguably the most intense period of the rivalry, with both players consistently breaking records and pushing each other to new heights. 

They traded goals and assists in La Liga and the Champions League, often finishing as the top scorers in these competitions.

Their achievements during this period were remarkable. Messi scored a record 91 goals in a calendar year in 2012, while Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in the Champions League. 

While both players achieved immense success at the club level, international trophies remained elusive for a long time. 

Messi finally led Argentina to victory in the Copa America in 2021, followed by the World Cup in 2022 and another Copa in 2024. Ronaldo captained Portugal to victory in Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated individual awards throughout their careers. Messi has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, while Ronaldo has won five. 

They have also consistently been among the top scorers in domestic leagues and European competitions, winning numerous Golden Boot awards.

Messi is the all-time top scorer in La Liga, while Ronaldo holds the record for most goals in the Champions League. They are the only two players to score over 800 goals each in their careers for club and country.

Despite the intense competition, both Messi and Ronaldo have expressed respect for each other’s abilities. 

While the media often fuelled the rivalry, the players themselves have maintained a professional relationship, acknowledging each other’s contributions to the sport.

In 2023, both players left European football, with Ronaldo joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi joining Inter Miami CF in the United States, marking the end of an era in which they had been competing against each other in Europe for over a decade.

Their departures were seen as a significant moment in football history, with many believing that Messi had settled the debate about who was the better player after leading Argentina to World Cup glory. 

As of March 2025, Messi has won 45 trophies to Ronaldo’s 33. The Argentine, though, trails the Portuguese player for career goals: 852 to 925.

Lionel Messi International Career

Lionel Messi’s international journey began with Argentina’s U20 team in 2004. 

He quickly made his mark, leading them to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. 

His senior national team debut followed soon after, at the age of 18, against Hungary on August 17, 2005. However, the teenager was sent off for violent conduct two minutes after his 65th-minute introduction.

In 2008, Messi achieved a major milestone with Argentina, leading the U23 team to an Olympic gold medal in Beijing. 

Messi’s early World Cup experiences were a mix of brilliance and disappointment. In 2006, he became the youngest player to represent and score for Argentina in the tournament, but their campaign ended in the quarter-finals. 

Four years later in South Africa, despite being identified as one of the tournament’s best players, he could not prevent Argentina’s elimination in the quarter-finals again.

The Copa America also brought its share of frustrations. Argentina reached the final in 2007 but fell short against Brazil. In 2011, they suffered a quarter-final exit, and Messi’s inability to lead them to victory led to criticism and questions about his leadership.

In 2014, Messi captained Argentina to the World Cup final, where they faced Germany. Despite a valiant effort, they lost in extra time, and his dream of lifting the World Cup trophy was shattered. He did, however, receive the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

The Copa America continued to be a source of heartbreak. In 2015 and 2016, Argentina reached the final but lost to Chile on both occasions, with Messi missing a crucial penalty in the 2016 shootout. 

These consecutive defeats led to his brief retirement from international football. The attacker’s return to the national team in 2017 marked a turning point in his international career. He led Argentina to the 2018 World Cup, but they were eliminated in the Round of 16. 

However, their third-place finish in the 2019 Copa America marked the beginning of a remarkable unbeaten streak.

In 2021, Messi finally achieved his dream of winning a major international trophy, captaining Argentina to victory in the Copa America. He was named the player of the tournament, playing a pivotal role in their success.

Messi’s international triumphs continued in 2022, leading Argentina to victory in the Finalissima against Italy and then achieved the ultimate glory, lifting the World Cup trophy after a thrilling final against France. 

He also became the first player to win the Golden Ball twice, solidifying his status as a World Cup legend.

Messi continued to break records in the following years, becoming the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers and the second-highest international goalscorer of all time. 

He also led Argentina to their second consecutive Copa America title in 2024, setting a new record for most appearances in the tournament.

As of March 2025, Messi has 112 goals in 191 appearances for Argentina.

Lionel Messi Honours

Barcelona

• 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

• Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23
• Trophée des Champions: 2022

Inter Miami

• Supporters’ Shield: 2024
• Leagues Cup: 2023

Argentina U20

• FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U23Argentina

• FIFA World Cup: 2022
• Copa America: 2021, 2024
• Finalissima: 2022

Individual

• Ballon d’Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
• FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d’Or/The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023
• European Golden Shoe: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
• 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 Golden Ball: 2015, 2021
• Copa América Golden Boot: 2021
• La Liga Best Player: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
• MLS Most Valuable Player: 2024
• 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, 2023
• Ballon d’Or Dream Team: 2020
• FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

  OrdersCreu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (April 30, 2019)Presidential Medal of Freedom, United States (January 4, 2025)

Lionel Messi Wife

Antonela Roccuzzo is Lionel Messi’s longtime partner and wife. 

They grew up together in Rosario, Argentina, and their relationship blossomed from childhood friendship. They have been in a relationship since 2008, although their status was not disclosed until January 2009. 

They married on June 30, 2017, and have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. 

Antonela has also established herself as an influencer and businesswoman, with a significant presence on social media. 

She is often seen at Messi’s matches, demonstrating her continued support for her husband.

Lionel Messi Parents

Lionel Messi’s parents are Jorge Horacio and Celia Cuccittini. 

Jorge, Lionel’s long-time agent, was a steel factory manager, while Celia worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop.

Lionel Messi Net Worth

Lionel Messi has amassed a substantial fortune throughout his illustrious football career, with estimates placing his net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Messi’s earnings stem primarily from his lucrative football contracts with clubs like FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.

Significant income also comes from endorsement deals with major brands, including Adidas, and other commercial partnerships with Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bitget, Cirque du Soleil, Gatorade, Hard Rock Cafe Inc., Konami, Lowe’s, Mastercard, PepsiCo and Royal Caribbean Group.

Messi’s high-profile status and global recognition have made him one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

His contract with Inter Miami, includes revenue-sharing deals with companies like Apple and an ownership stake in the team.

Pulse Sports indicated in February 2025 that Messi’s net worth is estimated to be $850 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.

His business ventures and investments also contribute to his overall wealth.

Lionel Messi Social Media

Lionel Messi is active on social media, sharing photos of training, matches and events in his personal life. 

Messi can be found on Instagram (@leomessi) or Facebook (Leo Messi).