Lionel Andrés “Leo” Messi[B] (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, Messi has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballons d’Or, six European Golden Shoes, and being named the world’s best player by FIFA eight times.[D] In 2025, he was named the All Time Men’s World Best Player by the IFFHS. Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football, having won 46 team trophies.[E] His records include most goals in a calendar year (91), most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona), most goals in La Liga (474), most assists in the FIFA World Cup (12), and most assists in international football (65). Messi has scored over 920 senior career goals and provided over 410 assists for club and country, making him the second-highest goalscorer and the highest assist provider in the history of the sport
n 2004, Messi made his competitive debut for Barcelona at age 17. He gradually established himself as an integral player for the club, and during his first uninterrupted season in 2008–09 he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football. This resulted in Messi winning the first of four consecutive Ballons d’Or, and by the 2011–12 season he had set the European record for most goals in a season and established himself as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. During the 2014–15 season, where he became the all-time top scorer in La Liga, he led Barcelona to a historic second treble, earning his fifth Ballon d’Or. Messi was named Barcelona’s captain in 2018. While playing for the club, he won a club-record 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. Financial difficulties at Barcelona forced Messi to depart in 2021 and sign with Paris Saint-Germain. During the 2022–23 Ligue 1 season, he registered 16 goals and 16 assists in 32 matches, helping PSG win the Ligue 1 title for the second time since he signed with the club. He joined MLS club Inter Miami in 2023 and led them to their first MLS Cup victory in 2025, while also winning back-to-back league MVP awards in 2024 and 2025.lionel pessi
personal life
Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he married on 30 June 2017 in their home city of Rosario.[424][425] Roccuzzo is the cousin of Messi's childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia, and Messi has known her since he was five years old.[426] After keeping their relationship private for a year, Messi confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009.
first club
lionel messi As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with Barcelona in September 2000, when Messi was 13. First-team director Carles Rexach immediately wanted to sign him, but the board of directors hesitated; at the time it was highly unusual for European clubs to sign foreign players of such a young age. On 14 December, an ultimatum was issued for Barcelona to prove their commitment, and Rexach, with no other paper at hand, wrote a contract on a paper napkin.[41][44] In February 2001, Messi's family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, Camp Nou.