| Full Name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Born | June 24, 1987 |
| Age |
|
| Place of birth | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Occupation | Professional Footballer |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position(s) | Forward, attacking midfielder |
- Lionel Messi
- Early Life and Career of Lionel Messi
- Messi's Career at Barcelona 2003 – 2021
- Messi's Career at Paris Saint-Germain 2021 – present
- Messi's Achievements and Records
- Messi's International Career Performance for Argentina 2004 - Present
- 2021–2022: Copa América and World Cup Win
- Player profile - Style of play
- Reception and comparisons to Diego Maradona
- Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo
- How old is Lionel Messi?
- Messi's Net Worth and Salary
- Personal Life and Family of Lionel Messi
- Messi's Height and Other Physical Attributes
- Lionel Messi's Charity Work and Philanthropy
- Tax fraud
- Lionel Messi and his influence in popular culture
Lionel Messi is a name that has become synonymous with success and excellence in football. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, having won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. From his humble beginnings in Argentina to his current position as a star player for Paris Saint-Germain, Messi's journey to the top of the football world has been nothing short of incredible. Lets further venture on to take a closer look at Messi's life and career, his achievements and records, his style of play, and his impact on popular culture.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987. Messi was the third of four children born to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini. From a young age, Messi showed a natural talent for football, and he joined his local club, Grandoli, at the age of five. Messi's talent was soon recognized, and he was offered a place in the youth academy at Newell's Old Boys, one of the most prestigious football clubs in Argentina.
At the age of 13, Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, which threatened to derail his football career. However, a local businessman, who had seen Messi play, offered to pay for his treatment in Spain. Messi and his family moved to Barcelona, where he joined the youth academy at FC Barcelona. It was here that Messi began to develop his skills as a footballer and make a name for himself in the world of football.
Early Life and Career of Lionel Messi
Messi's early years in Barcelona were not without their challenges. He struggled to adapt to life in a new country and faced numerous setbacks in his football career. However, Messi's talent and determination soon began to shine through, and he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players at the club.
Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004, at the age of just 17. He quickly became a regular in the team, and his performances on the pitch soon caught the attention of football fans around the world. Messi's talent and skill were evident to all who watched him play, and it was clear that he was destined for great things.
Messi's Career at Barcelona 2003 – 2021
Messi's career at Barcelona was nothing short of spectacular. Over the course of his 18-year career at the club, Messi won an incredible 35 major trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, and 4 UEFA Champions League titles. Messi also won numerous individual awards, including 7 Ballon d'Or awards, which are given to the best player in the world each year.
Messi's achievements at Barcelona are too numerous to list here, but some of his most memorable moments include his stunning solo goal against Getafe in 2007, his hat-trick against Real Madrid in 2014, and his incredible performance in the 2011 Champions League final, where he scored a stunning goal to help Barcelona win the trophy.
Messi's Career at Paris Saint-Germain 2021 – present
In August 2021, Messi shocked the football world by announcing that he would be leaving Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain. Messi's move to PSG was one of the biggest transfers in football history, and it was seen as a major coup for the French club.
Since joining PSG, Messi has continued to showcase his incredible talent on the pitch. He has formed an impressive attacking partnership with fellow superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and he has already scored a number of important goals for the club.
Messi's Achievements and Records
Messi's list of achievements and records is truly impressive. He has won more Ballon d'Or awards than any other player in history (6 in total), and he holds numerous records in La Liga, including the record for the most goals scored in a single season. Messi has also scored more than 700 career goals, making him one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.
Perhaps Messi's most impressive achievement, however, is his consistency. Messi has been one of the best players in the world for over a decade, and he has maintained a level of excellence that is almost unparalleled in the history of football.
Messi's International Career Performance for Argentina 2004 - Present
Messi's international career got off to a slow start, but he has since established himself as one of Argentina's greatest ever players. Messi has played in four World Cups for Argentina and has helped his country reach the final of the tournament on one occasion. He has also won the Copa America, South America's premier international tournament, on four occasions.
2021–2022: Copa América and World Cup Win
In 2021, Messi finally achieved his dream of winning a major international trophy with Argentina, as they won the Copa America. Messi was instrumental in Argentina's success, scoring four goals and providing five assists in the tournament. This victory was seen as a major milestone in Messi's career, and it cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
Player profile - Style of play
Messi's style of play is often described as elegant, graceful, and effortless. He is known for his incredible dribbling skills, his lightning-fast pace, and his ability to score goals from almost any position on the pitch. Messi is also a master of the free-kick, and he has scored numerous spectacular goals from set-pieces throughout his career.
Reception and comparisons to Diego Maradona
Messi is often compared to fellow Argentine legend Diego Maradona, and the two players share many similarities. Both players are known for their incredible skill and technique, and both have led Argentina to success on the international stage.
Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi is often compared to his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, and the debate over which player is better has been raging for years. While Ronaldo is known for his incredible physicality and goal-scoring prowess, Messi is often seen as the more creative and technically gifted of the two.
How old is Lionel Messi?
Messi's Net Worth and Salary
Messi's net worth is estimated to be around $400 million, making him one of the wealthiest footballers in the world. He earns a salary of around $100 million per year, which includes both his wages at PSG and his various endorsement deals.
Personal Life and Family of Lionel Messi
Messi is married to Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart, and the couple have three children together. Messi is known for being fiercely private about his personal life, and he rarely speaks about his family or personal relationships in public.
Messi's Height and Other Physical Attributes
Messi is often described as small or diminutive, standing at just 5'7" tall. However, his small stature belies his incredible strength and agility, and he is known for his lightning-fast speed and incredible balance.
Lionel Messi's Charity Work and Philanthropy
Messi is known for his philanthropy and charitable work, and he has been involved in numerous projects over the years. He has donated millions of dollars to various charitable organizations, and he has also set up his own foundation to help underprivileged children around the world.
Tax fraud
Messi has been embroiled in a number of legal issues throughout his career, including a high-profile case involving tax fraud in 2016. Messi was found guilty of defrauding the Spanish government of millions of euros, and he was sentenced to 21 months in prison (which was later reduced to a fine).
Initially in 2013, an investigation was launched into Messi's financial affairs over alleged tax evasion. Messi and his associates were accused of using offshore companies in Uruguay and Belize to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009. Additionally, a shell company in Panama set up in 2012 was identified as belonging to the Messis in the Panama Papers data leak, despite it being unrelated to the alleged scheme. Messi denied any knowledge of the scheme and voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million in August 2013. However, in 2016, Messi and his father were found guilty of tax fraud and given suspended 21-month prison sentences. They were also ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 million in fines respectively.
Lionel Messi and his influence in popular culture
Lionel Messi's impact on the world of football is quite numerous to overstate. He has won countless awards and accolades throughout his career, and he has inspired millions of fans around the world. Messi's legacy will be felt for generations to come, and his influence on popular culture is truly remarkable. Whether he is scoring goals on the pitch or donating his time and money to charitable causes, Lionel Messi is a true icon of our time.
