Lionel Messi
Footballer · Forward
b. 1987 · Born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina · 3 min read
- Last verified: 12 November 2026
- Sources: 4
- Reviewed by Muse — Phase D second review (independent check)
Argentine footballer, a record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup; Barcelona's all-time top scorer with 672 goals, now with Inter Miami.
Early Life
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina. He played youth football for Newell's Old Boys in Rosario. At the age of 11 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency; in 2000, at 13, he moved with his family to Barcelona, where FC Barcelona agreed to fund his treatment and he joined the club's La Masia academy.
Career
Messi joined FC Barcelona's academy, La Masia, at the age of 13 and made his first-team debut in October 2004, aged 17. Over 17 seasons with Barcelona he became the club's all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, winning ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles before leaving in 2021. He then played for Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023, winning two Ligue 1 titles, and joined Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in July 2023. For Argentina, he made his senior debut in 2005 and played in five World Cups. After losing the 2014 World Cup final and winning the Olympic gold in 2008, he led Argentina to the Copa América in 2021, the Finalissima in 2022 and the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, scoring seven goals in the tournament, including two in the final against France, and winning the Golden Ball. He led Argentina to a second successive Copa América title in 2024. All career totals in this profile are stated as of November 2026; totals for a player still active change with every match, so the profile records dated milestones rather than a running total.
Achievements
Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards as the world's top male player (2009–12, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023). He captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player for the second time, after first winning it in 2014. He led Argentina to the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and to the Finalissima in 2022, and won the Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008. In 2012 he scored 91 goals in a calendar year, a Guinness World Record. For FC Barcelona he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances, the most goals by a player for a single club, winning ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles, and six European Golden Shoes.
Legacy
Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. His records include eight Ballon d'Or awards, the most goals in a calendar year (91, in 2012) and the most goals for a single club (672, for Barcelona). His captaincy of Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, after four previous World Cup campaigns, completed a set of honours that includes the Copa América, the Finalissima and an Olympic gold medal. His move to Inter Miami in 2023 brought one of the sport's most followed players to Major League Soccer.
Major Achievements
- Won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards as the world's top male player (2009–12, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- Captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player for a second time
- Won the Copa América with Argentina in 2021 and 2024, and the Finalissima in 2022
- Won the Olympic gold medal with Argentina at Beijing 2008
- Scored 91 goals in the calendar year 2012, a Guinness World Record
- Scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for FC Barcelona, the most goals by a player for a single club
- Won six European Golden Shoes as Europe's top league scorer
- Won ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona
Contributions
Messi's contribution to football is a body of goalscoring and playmaking records: eight Ballon d'Or awards, 91 goals in a calendar year, 672 goals for a single club, and Argentina's 2022 World Cup as captain. His style, built on close control, balance and vision, has shaped how the forward position is understood in the modern game.
Milestones
- 2000 — Moved to Barcelona at 13 and joined FC Barcelona's La Masia academy Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica; Wikipedia
- 2004 — Made his first-team debut for Barcelona, aged 17 Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica; Wikipedia
- 2008 — Won the Olympic gold medal with Argentina at Beijing 2008 Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2009 — Won his first Ballon d'Or; the first of four in consecutive years Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2012 — Scored 91 goals in the calendar year, a Guinness World Record, breaking Gerd Müller's 1972 mark of 85 Source: Guinness World Records; Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2014 — Reached the World Cup final with Argentina and won the Golden Ball Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2015 — Won a fifth Ballon d'Or Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2019 — Won a sixth Ballon d'Or Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2021 — Won the Copa América with Argentina; left Barcelona after 672 goals in 778 appearances and joined Paris Saint-Germain Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2022 — Won the Finalissima and captained Argentina to victory at the World Cup, winning the Golden Ball for a second time Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2023 — Joined Inter Miami and won a record eighth Ballon d'Or Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 2024 — Led Argentina to a second successive Copa América title Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Timeline
- 24 June 1987
Born Lionel Andrés Messi in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2000
Moved to Barcelona at 13 and joined FC Barcelona's La Masia academy
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica; Wikipedia - 2004-10
Made his first-team debut for Barcelona, aged 17
Approximate date Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica; Wikipedia - 2008
Won the Olympic gold medal with Argentina at Beijing 2008
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2009
Won his first Ballon d'Or
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2012
Scored 91 goals in the calendar year, a Guinness World Record
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Guinness World Records; Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2014
Reached the World Cup final with Argentina and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2021
Won the Copa América with Argentina; left Barcelona after 17 seasons and joined Paris Saint-Germain
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2022
Won the Finalissima with Argentina; captained Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar, winning the Golden Ball for a second time
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2023
Joined Inter Miami in July; won a record eighth Ballon d'Or
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica - 2024
Led Argentina to a second successive Copa América title
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Related Personalities
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi (born 1987) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami and captains the Argentina national team. He has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Source: Encyclopaedia BritannicaHow many Ballon d'Or awards has Lionel Messi won?
Eight: in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023 — more than any other player.
Source: Encyclopaedia BritannicaWhen did Lionel Messi win the World Cup?
In December 2022, in Qatar. Argentina beat France in the final, and Messi scored seven goals in the tournament and won the Golden Ball as its best player — the first player to win that award twice.
Source: Encyclopaedia BritannicaWhat is Lionel Messi's 91-goal record?
In 2012 Messi scored 91 goals in a calendar year — 79 for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina — breaking Gerd Müller's 1972 record of 85. It is recognised by Guinness World Records as the most goals scored in a calendar year.
Source: Guinness World Records (via messivsronaldo.football); Encyclopaedia BritannicaWhich clubs has Lionel Messi played for?
He spent 17 seasons with FC Barcelona (2004–2021), then played for Paris Saint-Germain in France (2021–2023), and joined Inter Miami in the United States in July 2023.
Source: Encyclopaedia BritannicaSources & References
- Lionel Messi — Encyclopaedia Britannica — Encyclopaedia Britannica (accessed 12 November 2026)
- Lionel Messi — Wikipedia (cross-check) — Wikipedia (accessed 12 November 2026)
- Records — Messi vs Ronaldo (Guinness-sourced records) — Guinness World Records (via messivsronaldo.football) (accessed 12 November 2026)
- File:Lionel Messi 20180626.jpg — Wikimedia Commons (portrait file page) — Wikimedia Commons (accessed 12 November 2026)
