About
Lionel Andrés Messi, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. With a career that has spanned over two decades, Messi's feats on the field have earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards. Known for his impeccable dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring capabilities, Messi's influence extends beyond football, making him a global sports icon.
Before Fame
Messi's journey to greatness began at a very young age. He started playing football as a toddler and joined the local club, Grandoli, where his father coached. By the age of six, Messi was scoring over 500 goals for his youth team, Newell's Old Boys. However, his remarkable progress was threatened by a hormone deficiency diagnosed at the age of 11. His family could not afford the expensive treatment, but a trial with FC Barcelona led to the club offering to cover his medical costs. At age 13, Messi and his family moved to Spain, where he joined Barcelona's famed La Masia academy.
Trivia
- Lionel Messi holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, netting an astonishing 91 goals in 2012.
- He became the first player to win six Ballon d'Or awards.
- Messi has a tattoo of his mother's face on his left shoulder.
- He scored his first professional goal for Barcelona at the age of 17.
- Messi is the only player in history to score in his teens, twenties, and thirties in the FIFA World Cup.
Family Life
Messi was born to Jorge Messi, a factory manager, and Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. He has three siblings: two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and a sister, María Sol. In June 2017, Messi married his childhood sweetheart, Antonella Roccuzzo. The couple has three sons: Thiago, born in 2012; Mateo, born in 2015; and Ciro, born in 2018.
Associated With
Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has played alongside some of the greatest football talents, including Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernández, and Andrés Iniesta. His longstanding rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo has been a defining storyline in modern football, with fans and critics continually comparing the two to determine who is the greatest of their era. Messi's career at Barcelona also saw him forming formidable partnerships with players like Neymar and Luis Suárez, creating one of the most feared attacking trios in football history. Now at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi continues to shape the narrative of world football alongside stars like Kylian Mbappé and Neymar.
