{{Short description|Argentine footballer (born 1987)}} {{Redirect|Messi}} {{Good article}} {{pp-move}} {{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} {{Use British English|date=March 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Lionel Messi | image = Lionel Messi White House 2026 (3x4 cropped).jpg | caption = Messi at the White House in 2026 | full_name = Lionel Andrés Messi<ref name="NameBirthHeight">{{Cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Squad List: Argentina (ARG)|publisher=FIFA |page=1 |date=18 December 2022 |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195301/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|24|df=y}}<ref name="NameBirthHeight" /> | birth_place = Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina | height = 1.70 m<ref name="NameBirthHeight" /> | position = Forward | currentclub = Inter Miami | clubnumber = 10 | youthyears1 = 1992–1995 | youthclubs1 = Abanderado Grandoli FC | youthyears2 = 1995–2000 | youthclubs2 = Newell's Old Boys | youthyears3 = 2000–2004 | youthclubs3 = Barcelona | years1 = 2003–2004 | clubs1 = Barcelona C | caps1 = 10 | goals1 = 5 | years2 = 2004–2005 | clubs2 = Barcelona B | caps2 = 22 | goals2 = 6 | years3 = 2004–2021 | clubs3 = Barcelona | caps3 = 520 | goals3 = 474 | years4 = 2021–2023 | clubs4 = Paris Saint-Germain | caps4 = 58 | goals4 = 22 | years5 = 2023– | clubs5 = Inter Miami | caps5 = 67 | goals5 = 62 | nationalyears1 = 2004–2005 | nationalteam1 = Argentina U20 | nationalcaps1 = 18 | nationalgoals1 = 14 | nationalyears2 = 2008 | nationalteam2 = Argentina U23 | nationalcaps2 = 5{{efn-lg|name=U23}} | nationalgoals2 = 2 | nationalyears3 = 2005– | nationalteam3 = Argentina | nationalcaps3 = 198 | nationalgoals3 = 116 | club-update = 03:00, 25 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 03:11, 1 April 2026 (UTC) | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ARG}}}} {{MedalCompetition|FIFA World Cup}} {{Medal|W|2022 Qatar|}} {{Medal|RU|2014 Brazil|}} {{MedalCompetition|Copa América}} {{Medal|W|2021 Brazil|}} {{Medal|W|2024 United States|}} {{Medal|RU|2007 Venezuela|}} {{Medal|RU|2015 Chile|}} {{Medal|RU|2016 United States|}} {{Medal|3rd|2019 Brazil|}} {{MedalCompetition|Finalissima}} {{Medal|W|2022 England|}} {{MedalCompetition|Olympics}} {{MedalGold|2008 Beijing|Team}} {{MedalCompetition|U20 World Cup}} {{Medal|W|2005 Netherlands|}} {{MedalCompetition|South American U20 Championship}} {{Medal|3rd|2005 Colombia|}} | module = {{Infobox person | embed=yes | website = {{URL|https://messi.com/}} | signature = File:Firma de Lionel Messi.svg | signature_alt = Lionel Messi signature }} | upright = 1 }} '''Lionel Andrés''' "'''Leo'''" '''Messi'''{{refn|group=note|{{IPA|es|ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈleo ˈmesi|small=no|lang}}; according to FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, ''Messi'' by Guillem Balagué, his surname is the single "Messi", in accordance with Argentine customs.<ref name="BarcaProfile">{{Cite web |title=Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi |publisher=FC Barcelona |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi |access-date=8 September 2015 |archive-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018100823/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}} Other sources, including a 2014 document by FIFA, give his surname as the double "Messi Cuccittini".<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players |publisher=FIFA |date=10 June 2014 |page=2 |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625085714/http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf |archive-date=25 June 2014 |access-date=8 September 2015}}</ref> After winning a libel case in 2017, Messi's own management company stated: "The football player '''Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini''' has donated a total of €72,783.20 to the organisation Doctors Without Borders."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marsden |first=Sam |url=http://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-newspaper |title=Messi donates to charity after libel case win |publisher=ESPN |date=2 November 2017 |access-date=3 November 2017 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204030732/https://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-newspaper |url-status=live}}</ref>}} (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history,<!--DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT CONSENSUS--> Messi has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballons d'Or, six European Golden Shoes, and eight times being named the world's best player by FIFA.{{refn|group=note|name=BDOFIFA|Messi received ''France Football''{{'}}s 2009 Ballon d'Or and FIFA's 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award, prior to their six-year merger; he proceeded to win the newly formed award, the FIFA Ballon d'Or, four times: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015. Both organisations credited him with five (FIFA) Ballon d'Or awards.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web |first=Rémy |last=Lacombe |title=Messi, le Cinquième Élément |trans-title=Messi, the Fifth Element |magazine=France Football |date=11 January 2016 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121175932/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 |publisher=FIFA |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202210654/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html |archive-date=2 February 2016 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Straeten |first1=Karine van der |last2=Laslier |first2=Jean-François |last3=Daoust |first3=Jean-François |last4=Blais |first4=André |last5=Arrondel |first5=Luc |last6=Anderson |first6=Christopher J. |title=Messi, Ronaldo, and the Politics of Celebrity Elections: Voting for the Best Soccer Player in the World |journal=Perspectives on Politics |volume=18 |pages=91–110 |doi=10.1017/S1537592719002391 |issn=1537-5927 |year=2020 |issue=1 |doi-access=free}}</ref>}} He then went on to win the Ballon d'Or three more times – 2019, 2021, 2023 – again solely assigned by ''France Football'', and won the newly established The Best FIFA Men's Player three times as well – 2019, 2022, 2023. ''France Football'' recognises him as a record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA recognises him as a record eight-time world's best player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi sacré pour la huitième fois |trans-title=Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi crowned for the eighth time |publisher=L'Equipe |date=30 October 2023 |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ballon-d-or-2023-lionel-messi-sacre-pour-la-huitieme-fois/1428922 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121173444/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ballon-d-or-2023-lionel-messi-sacre-pour-la-huitieme-fois/1428922 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi wins The Best FIFA Men's Player Award |publisher=FIFA |date=15 January 2024 |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-wins-best-fifa-mens-player-award-2023 |quote=Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men's Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022 [...] Messi also won the 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player award and was recognised by FIFA as the leading player in the men's game on five occasions prior to that – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 – making this his eighth individual award in total. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121173350/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-wins-best-fifa-mens-player-award-2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024}}</ref>}} 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.{{refn|group=note|name=TrophiesNote|According to FC Barcelona,<ref name="BarcelonaHonours">{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2105010/messi-wins-35th-trophy-with-barca |title=Messi wins 35th trophy with Barça |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=17 April 2021 |access-date=20 July 2024 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901093606/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2105010/messi-wins-35th-trophy-with-barca |url-status=live }}</ref> FIFA,<ref name="FIFAHonours">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/the-world-cup-the-best-and-all-of-lionel-messis-trophy-wins |title=The World Cup, The Best and all of Lionel Messi's trophy wins |publisher=FIFA |date=19 January 2024 |access-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715172803/https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/the-world-cup-the-best-and-all-of-lionel-messis-trophy-wins |archive-date=15 July 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> the Royal Spanish Football Federation,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rfef.es/sites/default/files/pdf/supercopa_internacional_version_ingles_0.pdf |title=Conditions regarding the marketing of the "Spanish Super Cup" audiovisual rights in the international markets |quote=Lionel Messi is the competition's all-time leading scorer and most successful player with eight titles. |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |date=12 November 2019 |access-date=25 July 2024 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725080758/https://rfef.es/sites/default/files/pdf/supercopa_internacional_version_ingles_0.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> and multiple media outlets,<ref>{{cite web |last=Aldunate |first=Ramiro |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/04/18/607bffa946163fcb5a8b4606.html |title=The legend of Messi |website=Marca |date=18 April 2021 |access-date=20 July 2024 |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720184709/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/04/18/607bffa946163fcb5a8b4606.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Corrigan |first=Dermot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2524267/2021/04/18/messis-magic-has-just-won-him-a-35th-trophy-with-barcelona-but-will-it-be-the-last/ |title=Messi's magic has just won him a 35th trophy with Barcelona – but will it be the last? |website=The New York Times |date=18 April 2021 |access-date=20 July 2024 |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720184707/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2524267/2021/04/18/messis-magic-has-just-won-him-a-35th-trophy-with-barcelona-but-will-it-be-the-last/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Azzoni |first=Tales |url=https://apnews.com/article/la-liga-barcelona-europe-health-coronavirus-pandemic-1096dbbaf349901147dfa850cf14d156 |title=Messi's future up in the air as Barcelona contract ends |publisher=Associated Press |date=1 July 2021 |access-date=20 July 2024 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630152024/https://apnews.com/article/la-liga-barcelona-europe-health-coronavirus-pandemic-1096dbbaf349901147dfa850cf14d156 |url-status=live }}</ref> Messi also won the 2005 Supercopa de España, bringing his Barcelona trophy total to 35.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2024/10/03/66fe2c0c46163f39848b4573.html |title=Lionel Messi wins 46th trophy as Inter Miami secures 2024 Supporters' Shield |website=Marca |date=3 October 2024 |access-date=6 October 2024 |archive-date=6 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006141118/https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2024/10/03/66fe2c0c46163f39848b4573.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, this particular trophy is not credited here since Messi was out of the squad and did not feature in any of the two games against Real Betis.<ref name="FirstMiami">{{cite web |last=Romero Nuñez |first=Fernando |url=https://buenosairesherald.com/sports/stars/messi/messi-wins-first-title-at-miami-does-he-hold-the-all-time-record |title=Messi wins first title at Miami, does he hold the all-time record? |website=Buenos Aires Herald |date=22 August 2023 |access-date=20 July 2024 |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720183552/https://buenosairesherald.com/sports/stars/messi/messi-wins-first-title-at-miami-does-he-hold-the-all-time-record |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Maverino |first=Silvio |url=https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/51880/lionel-messi-se-convirtio-en-el-jugador-mas-ganador-de-la-historia-del-futbol |title=Lionel Messi se convirtió en el jugador más ganador de la historia del fútbol |language=es |trans-title=Lionel Messi became the winningest player in football history |website=El Gráfico |issn=0017-291X |date=15 July 2024 |access-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716064037/https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/51880/lionel-messi-se-convirtio-en-el-jugador-mas-ganador-de-la-historia-del-futbol |archive-date=16 July 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, Messi and Inter Miami were awarded a trophy for winning the Eastern Conference title during the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs. However, this trophy is not officially recognized by FIFA, so it is not credited here as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cienfuegos |first=Manuel Meza |url=https://athlonsports.com/soccer/why-fifa-doesnt-officially-count-lionel-messi-inter-miami-conference-champions-title |title=Why FIFA Doesn't Count Lionel Messi & Inter Miami's Eastern Conference Championship As an Official Title? |date=29 November 2025 |access-date=30 November 2025|website=Athlon Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Maverino |first=Silvio |url=https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/95560/%C2%BFun-titulo-o-un-pase-a-la-final%3F-el-debate-por-la-copa-de-conferencia-que-levanto-lionel-messi-con-inter-miami |title=¿Un título o un pase a la final? El debate por la Copa de Conferencia que levantó Lionel Messi con Inter Miami |language=es |trans-title=A title or a place in the final? The Conference Cup debate sparked by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami |website=El Gráfico |issn=0017-291X |date=2 December 2025 |access-date=7 December 2025 |archive-date=7 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207152029/https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/95560/%C2%BFun-titulo-o-un-pase-a-la-final%3F-el-debate-por-la-copa-de-conferencia-que-levanto-lionel-messi-con-inter-miami |url-status=live }}</ref> For the aforementioned reasons, sources disagree on Messi's total number of accolades, ranging from 46 to 48 official career trophies.<ref name="ElGrafico">{{cite web |last=Maverino |first=Silvio |url=https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/79507/polemica-la-verdadera-lista-de-titulos-de-la-carrera-de-lionel-messi |title=Polémica: la verdadera lista de títulos de la carrera de Lionel Messi |language=es |trans-title=Controversy: The true list of titles in Lionel Messi's career |website=El Gráfico |issn=0017-291X |date=6 December 2025 |access-date=7 December 2025 |archive-date=7 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207151909/https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/79507/polemica-la-verdadera-lista-de-titulos-de-la-carrera-de-lionel-messi |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wodner |first=Matias |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2025/12/07/6935083d46163fec518b4583.html |title=Lionel Messi has an even more special reason to play 2026 World Cup after Inter Miami MLS Cup triumph |website=Marca |date=6 December 2025 |access-date=7 December 2025 |quote=Messi's MLS Cup win gives him 48 trophies earned in his career to this point. |archive-date=7 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207151948/https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2025/12/07/6935083d46163fec518b4583.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Associated Press |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/06/sport/soccer-messi-inter-miami-vancouver-mls-cup |title=Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have completed their journey, winning the MLS Cup over Vancouver |publisher=CNN |date=6 December 2025 |access-date=7 December 2025 |quote=The trophy is Messi's 47th for club and country, extending his global men's soccer record, and some say it's actually 48 because MLS awards a trophy for winning conference titles as well. |archive-date=7 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207152132/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/06/sport/soccer-messi-inter-miami-vancouver-mls-cup |url-status=live }}</ref>}} 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 international football (61), most goal contributions in the FIFA World Cup (21), and most goal contributions in the Copa América (32). Messi has scored over 910 senior career goals and provided over 410 assists for club and country, resulting in over 1,320 goal contributions—the highest total in the sport's history.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sagar |first=Sunaadh |date=24 November 2025 |title=Stats: Messi first-ever to 1300 with Ronaldo on 1213; Eze scores PL's 400th; Bayern lead with 41 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47079470/stats-lionel-messi-first-ever-1300-cristiano-ronaldo-1213-eberechi-eze-scores-premier-league-400-bayern-munich-lead-41 |access-date=24 November 2025 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref>
Messi made his competitive debut for Barcelona at age 17 in October 2004. 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 Ballon d'Ors, 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.
Messi was named Barcelona's captain in 2018. While playing for the club, he won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. Financial difficulties at Barcelona led Messi to depart in August 2021 and sign with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title during both of his seasons there. He joined the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July 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.
An Argentine international, Messi is the national team's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. Several years after his senior debut in 2005, he won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Assuming captaincy in 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals in the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa América and the Copa América Centenario, all of which they lost. After announcing his retirement from international football in 2016, he returned to help Argentina qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Messi was central to ending Argentina's 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América. In 2022, he led Argentina to a World Cup victory, the country's first in 36 years. Messi's third major international title arrived when Argentina won the 2024 Copa América.
Messi has endorsed the sportswear company Adidas since 2006. He was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by ''Forbes'' in 2019 and 2022, and was among ''Time''{{'}}s 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023. In 2020 and 2023, he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, the first team-sport athlete to win the award. In 2020, Messi was named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team and became the second footballer and second team-sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings. Following his arrival and impact on football in the United States, Messi was named ''Time''<nowiki/>'s Athlete of the Year in 2023, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US president Joe Biden in 2025. {{TOClimit|4}}
==Early life== Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi {{!}} Ficha del jugador 20/21 {{!}} Delantero|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/futbol/primer-equipo/jugadores/4974/lionel-messi|access-date=1 June 2021|work=FC Barcelona|language=es|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811113532/https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/futbol/primer-equipo/jugadores/4974/lionel-messi|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the third of four children of Jorge Messi, head of department at the {{ill|Acindar|es}} pressed steel manufacturer in Villa Constitución, and his wife Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. His parents met as youngsters in Rosario's south-eastern district of Las Heras, where Messi himself later grew up, and married on Jorge Messi's completion of military service in the Argentine Armed Forces in 1978. On his father's side, Messi is of Italian and Spanish descent, the great-grandson of immigrants from the north-central Adriatic Marche region of Italy (with his surname coming from Porto Recanati), and on his mother's side he has primarily Italian ancestry.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=32–37}}{{sfn|Caioli|2017|pp=7–9, 12}} Growing up in a tight-knit, football-loving family, "Leo" developed a passion for the sport from an early age, playing constantly with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom became professional footballers.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=9–10}}
At the age of four, Messi joined the local football club Abanderado Grandoli FC where he was coached by his father. His maternal grandmother, Celia, accompanied him to training and matches.<ref name="MagicFeet">{{Cite news |first=John |last=Carlin |title=Lionel Messi: Magic in His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705210947/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html }}</ref> He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday. Since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=44–45}}<ref>{{Cite news |first=Chris |last=Maume |title=Lionel Messi: The World at His Feet |newspaper=The Independent |date=11 July 2014 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>
==Youth career== ===Newell's Old Boys=== {{quote box | width = 35% | align = right | quote = "When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon." | source = – Newell's Old Boys youth coach Adrián Coria, sharing his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi{{sfn|Caioli|2012|p=38}} }} Messi started playing for the Rosario-based football club Newell's Old Boys when he was seven years old; he would become a lifelong supporter of the club. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost 500 goals, and was a member of "The Machine of '87", a nearly unbeatable youth team named for the year of their birth. Messi regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half-time, when the Newell's first team played home games.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Here">{{Cite web |first=Wright |last=Thompson |title=Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina |work=ESPN |date=22 October 2012 |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=Lionel-Messi |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014134319/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=Lionel-Messi |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BR>{{Cite news |title=The Machine of '87: Messi's Boyhood Teammates Recall Early Signs of Greatness |work=Bleacher Report |date=23 June 2017 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717227-the-machine-of-87-messis-boyhood-teammates-recall-early-signs-of-greatness |access-date=25 June 2017 |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Richard |archive-date=24 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624155913/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717227-the-machine-of-87-messis-boyhood-teammates-recall-early-signs-of-greatness |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=31–35}}}} His goalscoring idol growing up was Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who Messi called "the best forward I've ever seen".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Messi: Brazil striker Ronaldo my hero |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512043227/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero |url-status=live}}</ref>
Messi's future as a professional player was threatened when, at the age of 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. He began growth hormone therapy at age 11;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mackie |first=Ed |date=14 December 2022 |title=What height is Lionel Messi? Explaining his growth deficiency as a child |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4000883/2022/12/14/lionel-messi-height-feet-why/ |work=New York Times}}</ref> however, his father's health insurance covered only two years of the therapy, which cost at least 1,000 pesos per month. Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on their promise.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Jérôme |last1=Cazadieu |first2=Alexandre |last2=Juillard |first3=Frédéric |last3=Traïni |title=Leo Messi: La Légende d'El Enano |trans-title=Leo Messi: The Legend of El Enano |newspaper=L'Équipe via Irish Independent |date=15 November 2008 |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-26496103.html |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=26 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926074749/http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-26496103.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi was scouted by the Buenos Aires club River Plate, whose playmaker Pablo Aimar he idolised.<ref name="Mission">{{Cite news |first=Ian |last=Hawkey |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/spain/barcelona/lionel-messi-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw |title=Lionel Messi on a Mission |work=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=20 April 2008 |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819075002/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lionel-messi-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Aimar">{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Wilson |title=Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-retired-age-35-valencia |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=18 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818042844/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-retired-age-35-valencia |url-status=live}}</ref> It was speculated for a time that Messi failed to sign with River Plate due to his ill health; however, in a 2019 interview, he revealed that River Plate had wanted to sign him after he scored four goals at a trial, and even offered to pay for his medical treatment, but Newell's refused to release his player card, preventing the transfer.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2 June 2019 |title=Leo Messi reveló el motivo por el que no fichó por River Plate |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/02/leo-messi-revelo-el-motivo-por-el-que-no-ficho-por-river-plate |access-date=12 January 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=es-us |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112091643/https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/02/leo-messi-revelo-el-motivo-por-el-que-no-ficho-por-river-plate |url-status=live}}</ref>
===Barcelona=== 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.<ref name="Mission" /><ref name="Serviette">{{Cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 October 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=26 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726182618/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2001, Messi's family relocated to Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, Camp Nou.<ref name="Serviette" />
During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the ''Infantiles'' due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled to integrate into the team. He was reserved by nature, and was so quiet that some of his teammates initially believed he was mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and younger sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Here" /><ref name="Serviette" /><ref name="BoyGenius">{{Cite news |first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Lionel Messi: Boy Genius |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 May 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701125859/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
[[File:La Masia (Can Planas) (Barcelona) - 1.jpg|thumb|At age 13, Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia.]] After a year at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, Messi was finally enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in February 2002. Now he could play in all competitions, and quickly befriended his teammates, including Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}} After completing his growth hormone therapy at 14,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=149}} Messi became an integral part of the "Baby Dream Team", Barcelona's greatest-ever youth side. During his first full season (2002–03), he was the top scorer with 36 goals in 30 games for the ''Cadetes'' ''A'', who won an unprecedented treble of the league, the Spanish cup, and the Copa Catalunya.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=61–62}}<ref>{{Cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Fàbregas, Messi, Piqué: Class of 2002 |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 March 2010 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> In the Copa Catalunya final, their 4–1 victory over Espanyol became referred to in club lore as the ''partido de la máscara'', the final of the mask. A week after suffering a broken cheekbone during a league match, Messi was allowed to start the game on the condition that he wear a protective plastic mask. When the mask became a hindrance, Messi took it off and scored two goals in 10 minutes.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=44–45}} At the close of the season, he received an offer to join Arsenal, his first from a foreign club. Although Fàbregas and Piqué soon left for England with their own offers, Messi chose to remain in Barcelona.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Serviette" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=7 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707002728/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Messiah">{{Cite web |title=The New Messiah |publisher=FIFA |date=5 March 2006 |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021172445/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html |archive-date=21 October 2014 |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>}}
Messi continued to progress through his club's ranks at a rapid pace, debuting for four youth teams during the 2003–04 season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=All time stats for Messi in the Barça youth teams |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/1692969/all-time-stats-for-messi-in-the-bara-youth-teams |access-date=23 September 2020 |work=FC Barcelona}}</ref> After being named player of the tournament in four separate international pre-season competitions with the ''Juvenil B'', he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to the ''Juvenil A''. In the ''Juvenil A'' he scored 18 goals in 11 league games.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Liviu |last=Bird |title=Ex-Teammate, La Masia Coach Recall Lionel Messi's Early Days, Persona |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=5 June 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/04/lionel-messi-champions-league-final-barcelona |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> During the international break, Messi was one of several youth players called up to strengthen the depleted first team. Ludovic Giuly, one of Barcelona's wingers, described Messi's performance during a training session: "He destroyed us all ... He would dribble past four players and score a goal. Even the team's starting centre-backs were nervous ... He was an alien."<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Giuly remembers the first time he saw Messi 'kill' his team-mates |work=Sport |url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/giuly-remembers-the-first-time-saw-messi-kill-his-team-mates-5378823 |date=14 September 2016}}</ref>
{{quote box | width = 25% | align = right | quote = "It seemed as if he had been playing with us all his life." | source = – Barcelona's then assistant coach Henk ten Cate on Messi's first-team debut.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=The best quotes about Lionel Messi's 10 years at Barcelona |work=ESPN FC |date=16 October 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2089807/the-best-quotes-about-lionel-messis-10-years-at-barcelona}}</ref> }}
At 16 years old, Messi made his first-team debut when he came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against FC Porto on 16 November 2003.<ref name="Serviette" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |title=Messi Reflects on Debut 10 Years On |work=ESPN |date=15 November 2013 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-divisi%C3%B3n/story/1616845/lionel-messi-reflects-on-dream-barcelona-debut |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> His performance impressed the technical staff, and he subsequently began training daily with the club's reserve side, Barcelona B, as well as weekly with the first team.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=191–193}} After Messi's first training session with the senior squad, Barcelona's new star player Ronaldinho told his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} Ronaldinho called Messi "little brother", and his friendship greatly eased Messi's transition onto the first team.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|p=53}}<ref name="LastJump" />
To gain further match experience, Messi joined his club's third team, Barcelona C, in addition to the ''Juvenil A''. He helped save the third team from the relegation zone of the Tercera División, scoring five goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in eight minutes during a Copa del Rey Juvenil match.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=183–185}} His progress was reflected in his first professional contract, signed on 4 February 2004, which lasted until 2012 and contained an initial buyout clause of €30 million. A month later, he made his debut for Barcelona B in the Segunda División B, and his buyout clause automatically increased to €80 million.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}} He played five games with the B team that season but did not score.<ref name="Matches 2003–04">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04 |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> He was physically weaker than his opponents, who were often much older and taller, and he worked on increasing his muscle mass and overall strength. Towards the end of the season, he returned to both youth teams, helping the ''Juvenil B'' win the league. He finished the campaign having scored goals for four of his five teams, with a total of 36 goals in all official competitions.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=68–71}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=183–185}}
== Club career == {{Main|Career of Lionel Messi#Club career}}
===Barcelona=== ====2004–2008: Rise to the first team==== [[File:Leo messi barce 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|In 2004, Messi (pictured in 2005) began his 17-year professional career with FC Barcelona|left]] Messi began the 2004–05 season as a guaranteed starter for the Barcelona B team, but after some lobbying by the senior players, he was promoted to the first team by manager Frank Rijkaard.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=246–249}} He made his La Liga debut for Barcelona on 16 October 2004, at 17 years old.<ref name="Serviette" /> He scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005, becoming the youngest-ever scorer for the club at the time.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=35–36}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=6 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206234603/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was at that time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition, and the club won the league title during that season.<ref name="LastJump">{{cite news |first=Rafael |last=Carbonell |title=El Último Salto de la 'Pulga' |trans-title=The Last Jump of the 'Flea' |newspaper=El País |date=26 October 2004 |language=es |url=http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/26/deportes/1098741604_850215.html |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208171912/http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/26/deportes/1098741604_850215.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MessiDriven">{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Hunter |title=Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite |work=ESPN |date=4 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-league-greats |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723184250/http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-league-greats |url-status=live}}</ref>
On his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player, which kept him with Barcelona through 2010, and had a release clause of €150 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=19 October 2016 |title=A history of Messi's nine deals at Barca |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37458495/a-history-lionel-messi-nine-deals-barcelona-signs-2021 |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Three months later, as his performance continued to make waves, his contract was updated to double his salary and keep him with the club until 2014.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=262–263}}<ref name="Starlet">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014 |work=ESPN |date=17 September 2005 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/342857 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> By the end of the 2005–06 season, Barcelona had won La Liga again as well as the UEFA Champions League.{{sfn|Hunter|2012|pp=266–269}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi has admitted he 'deeply regrets' missing Barcelona's Champions League final celebrations in 2006 |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/liga/2021-2022/lionel-messi-has-admitted-he-deeply-regrets-missing-barcelonas-champions-league-final-celebrations-i_sto8656843/story.shtml |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=Eurosport |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122205211/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/liga/2021-2022/lionel-messi-has-admitted-he-deeply-regrets-missing-barcelonas-champions-league-final-celebrations-i_sto8656843/story.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>
During the 2006–07 season, Messi scored his first hat-trick during a game against Real Madrid, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a ''Clásico'' in 12 years.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=There's Something about Messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1 |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-date=18 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618155307/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two goals scored by Messi against Getafe and Espanyol during the season drew notice for their similarities to two famous goals scored by fellow Argentine Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup match against England, leading to comparisons between Messi and Maradona that would endure throughout Messi's career.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Hawkey">{{#invoke:Cite|news|first=Ian |last=Hawkey |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lionel-messi-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw |title=Lionel Messi on a Mission |work=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=20 April 2008 |access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Andy |last=Mitten |title=Hand of Messi Saves Barcelona |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hand-of-messi-saves-barcelona-q8dgljbwzx7 |work=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=10 June 2007 |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="Maradona">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Christopher |last=Davies |title=Maradona Hails His Successor |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 July 2015}}{{cbignore}} {{Subscription required|date=November 2021}}</ref>}} Barcelona finished the 2006–07 season with only one trophy – the 2006 Supercopa de España – and the 2007–08 season without a single trophy, leading to Rijkaard's departure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline |work=ESPN |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for-barca-decline-ingla |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135656/http://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for-barca-decline-ingla |url-status=live}}</ref>
====2008–2012: Success under Pep Guardiola==== At the beginning of the 2008–09 season – his first under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep Guardiola – Messi was given the number 10 shirt.<ref name="MessiRonaldinho">{{cite web |title=Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number |work=FIFA |date=4 August 2008 |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328054707/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html |archive-date=28 March 2015 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> Over time, he effectively became the tactical focal point of Guardiola's strategy, increasing his goalscoring rate as a result.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=476–478}} During that season, Messi scored 38 goals, and alongside Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, contributed to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club.<ref name="Matches 2008–09">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209091527/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Lee |last=Roden |title=Are Messi, Suarez and Neymar Barcelona's Best-Ever Front Three? |publisher=ESPN |date=20 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-luis-suarez-the-clubs-best-ever |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=15 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615103455/http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-luis-suarez-the-clubs-best-ever |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi played in his first final as Barcelona won the Copa del Rey.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 May 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Barcelona also won the La Liga title and the Champions League, thus achieving the first treble in the history of Spanish football.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 2–0 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8060878.stm |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref>
During the first half of the 2009–10 season, Barcelona won the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first club to achieve the sextuple.<ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Adams |title=The Treble Club |work=ESPN FC |date=21 May 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners |access-date=26 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012747/http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners |archive-date=23 October 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2009 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm |access-date=26 July 2015 |archive-date=23 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323005910/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi finished as the Champions League top scorer, the youngest in the tournament's history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Sweeps up Goalscoring Honours |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2009 |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01d9-0e723fa0bf50-a11f10e8b995-1000--messi-sweeps-up-goalscoring-honours/ |access-date=26 July 2015 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510012328/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=833286.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Haslam |title=Messi Takes Scoring Plaudits |newspaper=UEFA |publisher=UEFA |date=22 May 2010 |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01e5-0e749dc4dbed-0a10c2225a79-1000--messi-takes-scoring-plaudits/ |access-date=27 July 2010 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322200627/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1490400.html |url-status=live}}</ref> For his efforts in 2009, Messi won the Ballon d'Or, the FIFA World Player of the Year award and his first European Golden Shoe.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Deserve" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Wilson |title=Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer |newspaper=U-T San Diego |date=30 September 2010 |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scorer/ |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=27 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827235600/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scorer/ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}}}} He scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions, equalling Ronaldo's club record from the 1996–97 campaign.<ref name="Matches 2009–10">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318114330/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Deserve">{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 May 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=18 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818155457/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid |url-status=live }}</ref> He signed a new 7-year contract with Barcelona through 2016.<ref name=":0" />
During the 2010–11 season, Barcelona won the Supercopa de España,<ref>{{cite web |title=Magic Messi Wins Supercopa for Barça |publisher=ESPN FC |date=21 August 2010 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-wins-supercopa-for-barca |access-date=27 July 2010 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140127/http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-wins-supercopa-for-barca |url-status=live}}</ref> the Champions League,<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13576522 |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128030307/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13576522 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a third consecutive La Liga title. Messi's club performances in 2010 earned him his second consecutive Ballon d'Or.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 January 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/jan/11/lionel-messi-xavi-ballon-dor |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> He was the top scorer in the Champions League for the third consecutive year,<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark |newspaper=UEFA |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2011 |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0250-0c50f817cbec-aabf3c53695a-1000--top-scorer-messi-matches-van-nistelrooy-mark/ |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530025624/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1634951.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the league's top scorer and assist provider.<ref name="Matches 2010–11">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630194758/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11 |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010 |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709063314/http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> He became Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer with 53 goals.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Matches 2010–11" /><ref name="Sublime">{{cite news |first1=Tony |last1=Cascarino |first2=Patrick |last2=Barclay |title=Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever? |newspaper=The Times |url-access=subscription |date=27 May 2011 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/is-sublime-lionel-messi-the-greatest-footballer-ever-c00970m0f9g |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=17 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517125621/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3041129.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Paul |last=Hayward |title=FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012: Lionel Messi Rewarded for Displays No Rival Could Ever Match |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 January 2013 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9786403/Fifa-Ballon-dOr-2012-Lionel-Messi-rewarded-for-displays-no-rival-could-ever-match.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9786403/Fifa-Ballon-dOr-2012-Lionel-Messi-rewarded-for-displays-no-rival-could-ever-match.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}
During the 2011–12 season Barcelona won both the Spanish and European Super Cup trophies, and the FIFA Club World Cup.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Barcelona 2 Porto 0: Match Report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 August 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid |newspaper=USA Today |date=17 August 2011 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018175757/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Barcelona Win FIFA Club World Cup |work=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16234168 |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222225555/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16234168 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Messi won the Golden Ball for the second time<ref name=":1" /> and the Ballon d'Or for the third time,<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Crowned World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 January 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi-crowned-worlds-best |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405232008/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi-crowned-worlds-best |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award |publisher=UEFA |date=25 August 2011 |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0250-0c50f3bb01f8-2230f3d90345-1000--messi-wins-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award/ |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818090834/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/awards/news/0250-0c50f3bb01f8-2230f3d90345-1000--messi-wins-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award/ |url-status=live}}</ref> During the year 2012, Messi became the second player to be top scorer in four Champions League campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics |publisher=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322121657/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour |publisher=UEFA |date=19 May 2012 |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0250-0c50fb1dc97f-29773ffa75dd-1000--record-breaking-messi-takes-top-scorer-honour/ |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510004431/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1795767.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking César Rodríguez's 57-year record of 232 goals.<ref>{{:cite news |title=Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 March 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He finished the season as the league top scorer in Spain for the second time with 50 goals, a La Liga record. His 73 goals in all competitions made him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football excluding regional and local competitions.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=29 October 2012 |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-barcelona-ap |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017043849/https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-barcelona-ap |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Smashes Müller's 40-Year Record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 December 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-of-2012 |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407214629/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal-of-2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Barcelona won the Copa del Rey that season, their 14th trophy under Guardiola, who resigned after a four-year cycle of success.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Brassell |title=Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17867892 |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017214415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17867892 |url-status=live}}</ref>
====2012–2014: Record-breaking year and ''Messidependencia''==== For the start of the 2012–13 season, Barcelona had virtually secured their La Liga title by the start of 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=A Sense of Anticlimax but Barcelona Still Deserve Their La Liga Title |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 May 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/13/barcelona-title-anti-climax |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> A double scored against Real Betis saw Messi becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer in La Liga, and surpassed Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year; Messi scored a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina throughout 2012.<ref>{{cite web |first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi |work=Reuters |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E8NA1RM20121210 |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-date=8 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408012732/https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E8NA1RM20121210 }}</ref><ref name="MostDecorated">{{cite news |first=Majid |last=Mohamed |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 January 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Messi again won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.<ref name="MostDecorated" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile |work=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20910453 |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107134704/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20910453 |url-status=live}}</ref> He signed a new contract committing himself to the club through 2018, and wore the captain's armband for the first time in a league match against Rayo Vallecano.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=556}}<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Messi Signs New Barcelona Deal |publisher=CNN |date=7 February 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/07/sport/football/football-leo-messi-barcelona/ |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Iain |last=Rogers |title=Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph |work=Reuters |date=11 May 2013 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-spain-messi-idUKBRE94A0GW20130511 |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>}} The team won La Liga again that year, Messi's sixth, equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. With 60 goals in all competitions, including 46 goals in La Liga, he finished the campaign as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in history to win the European Golden Shoe three times.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona |newspaper=The Independent |date=20 November 2013 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-8951828.html |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522051148/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-8951828.html }}</ref>
Messi's overall input into the team's attack had increased significantly. Whereas he contributed to 24% of the team's goals in their treble-winning campaign in 2008–09, this number rose to more than 40% by the end of the 2012–13 season.{{sfn|Caioli|2015|loc=ch. 38}} These statistics, as well as lopsided losses in the Champions League where Messi was unfit, gave credence to the notion of ''Messidependencia'', Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological dependence on their star player.<ref name="Messidependencia">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Messidependencia Brought into Focus as Barcelona Show Vulnerability |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 April 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/apr/11/lionel-messi-barcelona-psg-champions-league |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
To offset the load on Messi, Barcelona signed Brazilian forward Neymar from Santos before the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/santos-fc-to-face-fc-barcelona-in-the-joan-gamper-trophy-on-august-2 |title=Santos FC to face FC Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy |publisher=FCBarcelona.com |date=28 June 2013 |access-date=29 June 2013}}</ref> The team won the Supercopa de España at the beginning of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/29/barcelona-super-cup-atletico-madrid-messi|title= Barcelona win Super Cup against Atlético despite Messi's penalty miss|date= 28 August 2013|work= Guardian|access-date= 29 August 2013|archive-date= 21 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210121010350/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/29/barcelona-super-cup-atletico-madrid-messi|url-status= live}}</ref> Messi finished the campaign with his worst output in five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals in all competitions.<ref name="OneFlick">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=One Flick of Lionel Messi's Left Foot Ends Talk of Crisis at Barcelona |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/12/lionel-messi-barcelona-champions-league-manchester-city |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> For the first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season without a major trophy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi: I Had a Lot of Problems during 2013–14 Season |publisher=ESPN FC |date=19 February 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2306392/barcelona-lionel-messi-i-had-a-lot-of-problems-during-2013-14-season |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>
====2014–2017: Arrival of Luis Enrique and birth of MSN==== [[File:Moment of the Champions League final FC Barcelona - Juventus 2015.jpg|thumb|left|Messi dribbling past Patrice Evra of Juventus during the 2015 UEFA Champions League final]] Barcelona hired coach Luis Enrique before the 2014–15 season, and continued to aid Messi in the attack by signing Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez, who had won the European Golden Shoe the year before at Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27477125|title=Barcelona appoint Luis Enrique as first-team coach|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 May 2014|access-date=19 May 2014|archive-date=19 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519221816/https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27477125|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-and-liverpool-fc-have-reached-an-agreement-for-the-transfer-of-luis-suarez |title=Suárez joins Barça. |publisher=FCBarcelona.com |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712034551/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-and-liverpool-fc-have-reached-an-agreement-for-the-transfer-of-luis-suarez |archive-date=12 July 2014 }}</ref> Luis Enrique's system featured quick transitions from defence to attack, led by the front three of Messi, Suárez and Neymar. The attacking trio, which colloquially became known as 'MSN', broke goalscoring records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2463053-complete-analysis-of-the-new-look-barcelona-under-luis-enrique|title=Complete analysis of the new-look Barcelona under Luis Enrique|publisher=Bleacher Report|last=Tighe|first=Sam|date=13 May 2015|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> A hat-trick scored against Sevilla earlier in the season also made him the all-time top scorer in La Liga, as he surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona Forward Will Leave 'Unreachable' Record |work=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30165949 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> After securing the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League that year, Messi helped Barcelona become the first club to win the continental treble twice.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |title=Bayern Mun 3–2 Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32683310 |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Sam |last=Borden |title=Barcelona Overwhelms Juventus to Win Fifth Champions League Title |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 June 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/barcelona-defeats-juventus-in-champions-league-final.html |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> He recorded 58 goals, but combined with Neymar and Suárez, the attacking trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish football.<ref name="TooGood">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Barcelona's Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 June 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/06/barcelona-luis-suarez-lionel-messi-juventus-champions-league-final |access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
Messi opened the 2015–16 season by helping Barcelona's win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Lionel Messi Says Free Kick Goals in UEFA Super Cup Were 'Lucky' |publisher=ESPN FC |date=11 August 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/2559713/lionel-messi-calls-free-kick-goals-in-uefa-super-cup-lucky |access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> Messi capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup final over River Plate in Yokohama, collecting his fifth club trophy of the calendar year.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-club-world-cup/story/2765338/lionel-messi-club-world-cup-shows-barcelona-are-world-best |title=Lionel Messi: Club World Cup triumph proves Barcelona are 'best in the world' |publisher=ESPN FC |first=Dermot |last=Corrigan |date=20 December 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref> On 11 January 2016, Messi won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time in his career.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2784555/lionel-messi-wins-2015-ballon-dor-ahead-of-ronaldo-neymar |title=Lionel Messi wins 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar |first=Dermot |last=Corrigon |date=12 January 2016}}</ref> He ended the season by winning La Liga as well as the Copa del Rey again.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/02/03/lionel-messis-500th-goal-shows-off-scintillating-skill/ |title=Lionel Messi's 500th goal shows off scintillating skill |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Des |last=Bieler |date=3 February 2016 |access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref> In total, Messi scored 41 goals, and Barcelona's attacking trio of him, Neymar and Suárez managed a Spanish record of 131 combined goals throughout the season, breaking the record they had set the previous season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/messi-suarez-and-neymar-jr-end-season-with-131-goals |title=Messi, Suárez and Neymar Jr end season with 131 goals |publisher=FC Barcelona |first=Robert |last=Güell |date=23 May 2016 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref>
The 2016–17 season ended with Barcelona winning the Supercopa de España and the Copa del Rey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/08/18/actualidad/1471475075_599601.html |title=Messi levanta la Supercopa|trans-title=Messi lifts the Supercup |work=El País |language=es |first=Ramon |last=Besa |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/3036856/lionel-messi-equals-ronald-koemans-barcelona-free-kick-record |title=Lionel Messi equals Ronald Koeman's Barcelona free-kick record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=11 January 2017 |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> Messi finished the season with 54 goals, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the Pichichi and European Golden Shoe Awards for the fourth time in his career.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/11/24/5a182794268e3ef82a8b4639.html |title=Messi receives fourth Golden Shoe Award: Each day I enjoy it more |work=Marca |location=Spain |date=24 November 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017}}</ref>
====2017–2021: Final years at Barcelona==== [[File:Lionel Messi vs Valladolid.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi, wearing the captain's armband, against Real Valladolid in 2018]] Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona on 25 November 2017, keeping him with the club through 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/video-lionel-messi-signs-new-contract-fc-barcelona |title=Lionel Messi signs new deal through 2020/21 season |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=25 November 2017|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> The 2017–18 season saw Barcelona winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey once again.<ref name="2018CdR">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43845692 |title=Sevilla 0–5 Barcelona |work=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2018 |access-date=21 April 2018}}</ref> Messi again finished the season as the top scorer in La Liga, with 34 goals, and won his fifth European Golden Shoe award.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=20 May 2018 |title=Messi Wins Fifth Golden Shoe After Winning Pichichi Trophy |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-set-for-fifth-golden-shoe-after-winning-pichichi/16zqsqe8e9tr3187k929hjiwpt|access-date=20 May 2018 |publisher=Goal}}</ref> With the departure of captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the team's new captain for the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messi-will-be-barcelonas-next-captain-6781878 |title=Lionel Messi will be Barcelona's next captain |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=9 August 2018 |publisher=Sport |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204356/https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messi-will-be-barcelonas-next-captain-6781878 }}</ref> He lifted his first trophy as Barcelona's captain, the Supercopa de España, following a 2–1 victory over Sevilla. He also helped Barcelona clinch the La Liga title.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/messi-helps-barcelona-clinch-spanish-league-title/2019/04/27/84f90fbe-692d-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427205444/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/messi-helps-barcelona-clinch-spanish-league-title/2019/04/27/84f90fbe-692d-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html |archive-date=27 April 2019 |title=Messi helps Barcelona clinch Spanish league title |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Joseph |last=Wilson |date=27 April 2019 |access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref> With 36 goals in 34 appearances that season, Messi won his sixth La Liga Golden Shoe trophy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=The best individual season of all time? – A look at Lionel Messi's 2018/19 season |url=https://www.overlyzer.com/en/football/the-best-individual-season-of-all-time-a-look-at-lionel-messis-2018-19-season/ |website=Overlyzer |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://apnews.com/article/a3965b778e324f6c8882587d0e9f55fc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206130647/https://apnews.com/article/a3965b778e324f6c8882587d0e9f55fc |archive-date=6 February 2023 |title=Messi hits 50 goals for Barca, Madrid ends season to forget |publisher=Associated Press |last=Wilson |first=Joseph |date=19 May 2019 |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> He also captured his sixth European Golden Shoe award, setting a record for winning the award three seasons in a row.<ref name="SixthGoldenShoe">{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1225730/messi-wins-his-sixth-golden-shoe-award |title=Messi wins his sixth Golden Shoe award |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref>
Messi won his sixth Ballon d'Or, but the subsequent 2019–20 season saw Barcelona go trophyless for the first time since 2007–08.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/02/ballon-dorlive-updates-ceremony-lionel-messi-virgil-van-dijk/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/02/ballon-dorlive-updates-ceremony-lionel-messi-virgil-van-dijk/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk compete for top award |last=Magee |first=Will |date=2 December 2019 |work=The Telegraph|access-date=2 December 2019 |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Following a disappointing season, Messi expressed to the club his desire to leave, but ultimately decided to fulfill the final year of his contract.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|date=25 August 2020 |title=Messi tells Barca he wants to leave, signaling end of era |url=https://apnews.com/141fb4432a0421bc942a7f87cfdeba6e|access-date=26 August 2020 |work=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Messi breaks silence on Barcelona exit saga: 'The president did not keep his word' |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-breaks-silence-barcelona-exit-saga-president-did-not/12u81b5iumt2d1tkqol18wpcxg|access-date=4 September 2020 |work=Goal}}</ref> In 2021, he led Barcelona to victory in the Copa del Rey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Lionel Messi sets an utterly ridiculous record as he leads Barcelona to Copa Del Rey glory |url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2021/04/17/lionel-messi-sets-an-utterly-ridiculous-record-as-he-leads-barcelona-to-copa-del-rey-glory/ |work=Caught Offside|date=17 April 2021 |access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/messi-nets-2-barcelona-beats-bilbao-4-0-to-win-copa-del-rey-1.1625290 |title=Lionel Messi nets two, Barcelona beats Athletic Bilbao to win Copa del Rey |publisher=TSN |date=17 April 2021 |access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref> His last two seasons with Barcelona saw him lead La Liga in goal scoring, giving him a record-breaking total of eight Pichichi trophies.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.thescore.com/esp_fed/news/1987681 |title=Messi stands alone after winning Pichichi award for 7th time |publisher=The Score |last=Nesci |first=Gianluca |date=19 July 2020 |access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="eighth">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Messi: The Pichichi of Pichichis |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/05/22/60a971ad268e3e2e128b45c3.html |access-date=31 December 2022 |work=Marca|date=22 May 2021 }}</ref>
Although Messi became a free agent after his contract expired, he was hoping to stay with Barcelona, even though the club was facing immense financial challenges due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Messi officially becomes a free agent as superstar's Barcelona contract expires |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/messi-free-agent-barcelona-contract-expires/6oic4yrrw62d1mcffybvao1qi |work=Goal |first=Rubén |last=Uría |date=1 July 2021 |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Lionel Messi: Barcelona forward agrees contract extension with 50 per cent pay cut |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12355747/lionel-messi-barcelona-forward-agrees-contract-extension-with-50-per-cent-pay-cut |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714155615/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12355747/lionel-messi-barcelona-forward-agrees-contract-extension-with-50-per-cent-pay-cut |date=14 July 2021 |location=United Kingdom |archive-date=14 July 2021 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=14 July 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following initial progress in contract negotiations, Messi was expecting to sign a new contract with a 50% salary cut, but Barcelona surprised him by announcing that it could not re-sign him, citing financial constraints and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Leo Messi not staying at FC Barcelona |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/2207655/leo-messi-not-staying-at-fc-barcelona |access-date=13 July 2022 |publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Lionel Messi 'shocked' and 'surprised' at Barcelona contract collapse |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12374082/lionel-messi-shocked-and-surprised-at-barcelona-contract-collapse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806122748/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12374082/lionel-messi-shocked-and-surprised-at-barcelona-contract-collapse |date=8 August 2021 |archive-date=6 August 2021 |work=Sky Sports |last1=Thomas |first1=Lyall |first2=Kaveh |last2=Solhekol |access-date=6 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 August 2021, Messi held a tearful press conference at Camp Nou, confirming that he would leave the club.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Lionel Messi Says Goodbye To FC Barelona At Tearful Press Conference |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2021/08/08/lionel-messi-says-goodbye-to-fc-barelona-at-tearful-press-conference/ |last1=Sanderson |first1=Tom |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=Forbes}}</ref>
===Paris Saint-Germain=== ====2021–2023: 7th Ballon d'Or and consecutive Ligue 1 titles==== [[File:Mbappe Messi Neymar.jpg|thumb|Messi (middle) with Paris Saint-Germain teammates Kylian Mbappé (left) and Neymar in 2021.]] On 10 August 2021, two days after his farewell remarks to Barcelona, Messi joined the Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a two-year contract with an option for an extra year.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|news|title=Lionel Messi signs two-year Paris St-Germain deal after leaving Barcelona|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58163106|access-date=10 August 2021|work=BBC|date=10 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/content/cp-lionel-messi-psg-paris-saint-germain-mercato|title=Leo Messi signs for Paris Saint-Germain|website=PSG|date=10 August 2021}}</ref> He chose 30 as his squad number, which is the number he wore when he made his senior debut for Barcelona.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|news|title=Lionel Messi shirt number revealed by PSG|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-messi-psg-shirt-number-transfer-b1900397.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-messi-psg-shirt-number-transfer-b1900397.html|archive-date=14 June 2022|url-status=live|access-date=11 August 2021|work=The Independent |date=10 August 2021 }}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a Champions League group stage win over former manager Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|last=Morse |first=Ben |title=Lionel Messi scores first PSG goal in Champions League win over Manchester City |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/football/lionel-messi-first-psg-goal-ucl-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=30 September 2021 |website=CNN |date=29 September 2021}}</ref> After finishing the year with 40 goals at the club and international levels and leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, Messi won a record seventh Ballon d'Or.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|news|title=Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi wins award as best player in world football for seventh time|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59454640|access-date=29 November 2021|work=BBC|date=29 November 2021 }}</ref> Messi won his first Ligue 1 title, which was a recording-tying 10th league title for PSG.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=Worst season in Lionel Messi's career! How did the Argentine perform in the 2021–22 season for PSG?|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/lionel-messi-psg-performance-2021-22-season/bltcd4c10b617272ed1|access-date=12 June 2022|website=Goal.com}}</ref> However, he had an underwhelming season, scoring just 6 goals in the league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-12 |title=Neymar defends Lionel Messi following a tough debut at PSG |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/neymar-defends-lionel-messi-following-a-tough-debut-at-psg-35185169 |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=OneFootball |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37632217/messi-debut-season-psg-had-bad-struggled-find-myself |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref>
Near the start of the 2022–23 season, Messi won his second trophy with PSG in the Trophée des Champions.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/content/a-final-lots-of-goals-and-a-trophy-a-great-start-to-the-season-match-report-paris-saint-germain-trophee-des-champions-psg-nantes |title=A final, lots of goals and a trophy: a great start to the season! |publisher=Paris Saint-Germain FC |date=31 July 2022|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> A goal against Nice saw him surpass Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time highest goalscorer in European club football with 702 goals; during the match, he also achieved 1,000 career direct goal contributions at club level.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/lionel-messi-overtakes-cristiano-ronaldo-for-goals-scored-in-europe-with-latest-psg-strike |title=Lionel Messi overtakes Cristiano Ronaldo for goals scored in Europe with latest PSG strike |work=FourFourTwo |last=Hayward |first=Ben |date=9 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/psg/2023/04/09/6431efddca4741e5078b459a.html |title=Lionel Messi edges Cristiano Ronaldo once again, Argentinian is now the all-time club goal leader in Europe |work=Marca |date=8 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023 }}</ref> By the end of the season, he had 21 goals across all competitions and the highest number of assists in the league with 16, which helped PSG clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title and his second in a row.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|last=Ronald |first=Issy |title=Lionel Messi breaks Cristiano Ronaldo record as PSG wins historic Ligue 1 title |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/28/football/lionel-messi-record-psg-ligue-1-title-spt-intl/index.html |date=28 May 2023 |access-date=4 June 2023 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=Ligue 1 Uber Eats Team of the Season|url=https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/News/2023/05/29/the-ligue-1-team-of-the-season-in-full|access-date=4 June 2023|website=Ligue1 COM}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|last=Summerscales|first=Robert|date=3 June 2023|title=Lionel Messi Ends Ligue 1 Season With More Assists Than Any Other Player|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/lionel-messi-ends-ligue-1-season-top-of-assists-rankings|access-date=4 June 2023|website=Futbol on FanNation}}</ref> Messi was awarded the Ligue 1 Best Foreign Player of the Season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=brilliance! |first=Lionel Messi reigns as Ligue 1's best foreign player of the season, showcasing his unmatched |title=Lionel Messi Claims Ligue 1's Best Foreign Player of the Season Award |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/ligue-1/articles-video/lionel-messi-claims-ligue-1-s-best-foreign-player-of-the-season-award-2023-06-26 |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=beIN SPORTS |language=en-us}}</ref> At the end of the season, he departed PSG.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65776489 |title=Lionel Messi: PSG manager Christophe Galtier confirms forward's departure |website=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2023 |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref>
=== Inter Miami === ====2023–present: 8th Ballon d'Or, all-time assists record and MLS champion==== thumb|upright|Messi with Inter Miami in 2025 On 15 July 2023, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF announced the signing of Messi on a two-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|last=|date=15 July 2023|title=Inter Miami CF Signs Seven-Time Ballon d'Or Winner, World Cup Champion, Lionel Messi {{!}} Inter Miami CF|url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/inter-miami-cf-signs-seven-time-ballon-d-or-winner-world-cup-champion-lionel-mes|access-date=16 July 2023|website=Inter Miami CF}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|last=Sigal|first=Jonathan|date=15 July 2023|title=Official! Lionel Messi signs with Inter Miami|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/official-lionel-messi-signs-with-inter-miami|access-date=15 July 2023|website=Major League Soccer}}</ref> Messi's pay set an MLS record, with his earnings from salary, signing bonus, and an equity stake in the club reportedly surpassing $50 million.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=18 October 2023 |title=The latest salaries unveiled by the MLS Players Association finds Lionel Messi in a class by himself |url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/lionel-messi-salary-inter-miami-mls-20231018.html |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url-access=limited |access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref> According to ''Goal'', Messi's arrival in the United States helped to raise the profile of MLS within the US and abroad. Inter Miami co-president Xavier Asensi said that for MLS "there is a before and after Messi. He has changed everything."
After Messi joined Inter Miami, the club's games began selling out.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2024 |title='He has changed everything' - Inter Miami chief hails Lionel Messi's impact on MLS as he compares eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to NBA legend Michael Jordan |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/changed-everything-inter-miami-chief-hails-lionel-messi-impact-mls-compares-nba-legend-michael-jordan/blt07f24130ccba8883#cs7e5c632a41124722 |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Goal |last=Burton|first=Chris}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Chris |date=11 February 2024 |title='Nothing without Lionel Messi' – Why Inter Miami superstar is doing more for MLS than Super Bowl-bound Taylor Swift is for NFL |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c |access-date=18 March 2026 |website=Goal}}</ref> The frenzy over his arrival was dubbed "Messimania", and Inter Miami's No. 10 Messi jersey became the best-selling jersey in the league, and nearly the best-selling in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rodríguez |first1=Eduardo Burgos |last2=Brennan |first2=Joe |date=23 October 2024 |title=Here's just how much of an impact Messi has had on MLS and Inter Miami |url=https://en.as.com/soccer/heres-just-how-much-of-an-impact-messi-has-had-on-mls-and-inter-miami-n/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=AS USA }}</ref> Messi was made the team captain of his new club, and began the 2023 season by scoring nine goals in his first six games. He led Inter Miami to their first-ever trophy as they defeated Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mlssoccer |title=Classy! Messi gives Yedlin armband for Leagues Cup celebrations {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/classy-messi-gives-yedlin-armband-for-leagues-cup-celebrations |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deen |first=Safid |date=19 August 2023 |title=Inter Miami vs. Nashville live updates: Messi wins Leagues Cup after penalty shootout |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2023/08/19/messi-inter-miami-vs-nashville-leagues-cup-final-live-highlights/70618499007/ |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=USA Today}}</ref> Miami missed the MLS playoffs, however, finishing second to last in the Eastern Conference.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last1=Lewis |first1=Aimee |title=Lionel Messi's final game of the season for Inter Miami ends in defeat |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/22/sport/lionel-messi-inter-miami-charlotte-mls-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=8 November 2023 |date=22 October 2023}}</ref> On 30 October 2023, following his World Cup win with Argentina and Ligue 1 trophy with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi was awarded a record eighth Ballon d'Or.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|date=30 October 2023|title=Men's Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi wins eighth award, beating Erling Haaland to trophy|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67232561|access-date=30 October 2023|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He was named ''Time'' Athlete of the Year, the first footballer ever to win the award.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|last=Summerscales|first=Robert|date=5 December 2023|title=Lionel Messi Becomes First Men's Soccer Player To Be Named TIME Athlete Of The Year|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/lionel-messi-named-time-athlete-of-the-year-for-2023|access-date=25 December 2023|magazine=Sport Illustrated}}</ref>
During the 2024 season, Messi broke the record for the most assists in a single MLS game with five assists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2024 |title=SIX goal contributions! Lionel Messi sets two more MLS records vs. RBNY |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/six-goal-contributions-lionel-messi-sets-two-more-mls-records-in-matchday-12 |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=Major League Soccer |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505022513/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/six-goal-contributions-lionel-messi-sets-two-more-mls-records-in-matchday-12 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 October, he scored two goals in a 3–2 win over the Columbus Crew, clinching the Supporters' Shield award for Miami.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2024 |title=Lionel Messi, Inter Miami win MLS Supporters Shield with 3-2 win at Crew. It's Messi's 46th trophy |url=https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-mls-miami-columbus-0fcdbeab716cb05dcf99a76dc235dccc |access-date=20 October 2024 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=10 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010053349/https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-mls-miami-columbus-0fcdbeab716cb05dcf99a76dc235dccc |url-status=live }}</ref> In the final game of the season, Messi scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 6–2 victory. Miami finished the regular season with 74 points, an MLS league record, while Messi finished with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches, becoming the all-time top goalscorer for the young team.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Becherano |first=Lizzy |title=Lionel Messi hat trick helps Inter Miami break MLS points record |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41856092/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-single-season-points-record-hat-trick |date=19 October 2024 |access-date=19 October 2024 |work=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Tim |date=19 October 2024 |title=Messi and Inter Miami finish with best record in MLS history, roll past New England 6-2 |url=https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-a8d2c6c8ae5df490cc615b2ae527434d |access-date=19 October 2024 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> Miami made its first postseason appearance in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs but was eliminated in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deen |first1=Safid |title=Messi, Inter Miami see record-setting season end in stunning playoff collapse: Highlights |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/11/09/inter-miami-vs-atlanta-where-to-watch-messi-playing-score-live-updates/76156845007/ |website=USA TODAY |access-date=9 November 2024 |date=9 November 2024 |archive-date=10 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110042504/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/11/09/inter-miami-vs-atlanta-where-to-watch-messi-playing-score-live-updates/76156845007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Messi was named the MLS Most Valuable Player for the season.<ref name="MLSMVP" />
During the 2025 season, Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 league goals.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Gordillo |first=George |date=12 April 2025 |title=Lionel Messi eyes Inter Miami extension as he refuses to leave before christening their new stadium |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2025/04/12/67fac77e46163fb2ac8b4583.html |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=MARCA |language=en}}</ref> He ended the season by winning the MLS Golden Boot as the league's top scorer, with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games.<ref name="MLSMVP" /> On 23 October, he signed a contract extension with the club through 2028, by which time he would be 41 years old.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Spencer |first=Jamie |date=23 October 2025 |title=Inter Miami Announce Lionel Messi Long-Term Contract Renewal |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/inter-miami-announce-lionel-messi-long-term-contract-renewal |access-date=23 October 2025 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> During the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC in the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, an assist from Messi put his career assists across all competitions at 405, surpassing Ferenc Puskás for the most career assists of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Becherano |first=Lizzy |date=29 November 2025 |title=Inter Miami, Messi storm into first MLS Cup final with 5-1 win |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47144024/inter-miami-messi-advance-first-mls-cup-final-5-1-win-nycfc |access-date=29 November 2025 |work=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2025 |title=Lionel Messi breaks world record for most assists in football history |url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-11-30-lionel-messi-becomes-player-with-most-assists-in-football-history/ |access-date=29 November 2025 |website=Tribuna.com}}</ref> Messi led Miami to MLS Cup 2025, where they won 3–1 over the Vancouver Whitecaps to win the team's first league championship. Providing two assists during the match, Messi was named MLS Cup MVP.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Cesar |date=6 December 2025 |title=Lionel Messi leads Miami past Vancouver to 1st MLS Cup title |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47225110/mls-cup-final-inter-miami-lionel-messi-vancouver-whitecaps |access-date=6 December 2025 |work=ESPN}}</ref> At the end of the season, Messi was again named MLS MVP, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back years.<ref name="MLSMVP" />
In March 2026 it was reported that Messi was earning between $70 and $80 million per year from Inter Miami from his compensation and equity rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cancel |first=Daniel |title=Messi Is Paid Up to $80 Million a Year by Inter Miami, Mas Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-06/messi-is-paid-up-to-80-million-a-year-by-inter-miami-mas-says |website=Bloomberg}}</ref> On 18 March 2026, Messi scored his 900th career goal during Inter Miami's 1–1 draw with Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. He became the second player to reach the mark in top-level men's football after Ronaldo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi scores 900th career goal, joins Ronaldo in elite club |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/messi-scores-900th-career-goal-joins-ronaldo-in-elite-club-6003741 |access-date=19 March 2026 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author-first1=Lizzy |author-last1=Becherano |date=18 March 2026 |title=Lionel Messi scores 900th goal, but Miami bounced from CCC |url=https://global.espn.com/football/story/_/id/48081661/lionel-messi-scores-900-goals-cristiano-ronaldo |access-date=19 March 2026 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
== International career == {{Main|Career of Lionel Messi#International career}}
As a citizen of both Argentina and Spain, Messi was eligible to play for both national teams.<ref name="Burden2">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Jeff|last=Himmelman|title=The Burden of Being Messi|newspaper=The New York Times|date=5 June 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html|access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> He began his international career in 2004 with Argentina's U20 team, and was subsequently included in the squad for the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, in which they finished third.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}} Messi then led the team to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. He finished the tournament with six goals and two assists, and won the Golden Ball.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite news |date=10 July 2024 |title=Messi passes Ali Daei |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeNQ1qaCPjJZ/ |access-date=10 July 2024 |work=The Athletic |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710125438/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeNQ1qaCPjJZ/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Saaid |first=Hamdan |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol2008f-det.html |title=Games of the XXIX. Olympiad |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=12 September 2008 |access-date=6 August 2024 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806071542/https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol2008f-det.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MagicMessi">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands |publisher=FIFA |date=July 2005 |url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906082949/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html |archive-date=6 September 2015 |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>}}
[[File:ARG-BRA 2008 Olympic semi-final.jpg|thumb|left|Messi evades Brazil's Marcelo in the semi-final of the 2008 Summer Olympics.]] Messi made his debut with the senior national team in 2005, at age 18,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Tim |last=Vickery |title=Messi Handles 'New Maradona' Tag |work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_football/4172400.stm |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> and scored his first international goal in a 2006 friendly against Croatia.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Messi Is a Jewel Says Argentina Coach |publisher=ESPN FC |date=10 October 2005 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/345383/messi-is-a-jewel-says-argentina-coach |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Century">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html |title=Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances |last=Mamrud |first=Roberto |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=21 January 2026 |access-date=21 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219174523/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html |archive-date=19 February 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he became the youngest player to represent and score for Argentina in the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 June 2006 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm |access-date=12 August 2015 |archive-date=22 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922121433/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Messi was named the best young player of the 2007 Copa América, during which he scored two goals and provided one assist.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 July 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/sports/soccer/16soccer.html |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Messi led Argentina's U23 team to claim the Olympic gold medal over Nigeria; he was singled out by FIFA as the stand-out player from the tournament's best team.<ref name="Messi Olympics">{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Report and Statistics: Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments Beijing 2008 |publisher=FIFA |page=21 |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206162134/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf |archive-date=6 December 2008 |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
With the international retirement of Juan Román Riquelme in 2009, Messi was given Argentina's number 10 shirt.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Ian |last=Chadband |title=Lionel Messi Can Achieve More at Barcelona than Diego Maradona |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 April 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/5231676/Lionel-Messi-can-achieve-more-at-Barcelona-than-Diego-Maradona.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/5231676/Lionel-Messi-can-achieve-more-at-Barcelona-than-Diego-Maradona.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Argentina built their team around Messi ahead of the 2011 Copa América, although Messi scored no goals during the tournament.<ref name="NewRole">{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Michael |last=Cox |title=Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role |publisher=ESPN FC |date=13 November 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}} At 24 years old, Messi became captain of the national team, but over the next several years was unable to lead Argentina to a trophy.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=If Messi Is Argentina's Star, Then Mascherano Is the Glue |newspaper=The New York Times |date=10 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/sports/soccer/if-messi-is-argentinas-star-then-mascherano-is-the-glue.html |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Argentina lost to Germany in the final, though Messi was awarded the Golden Ball.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|first=Scott |last=Murray |title=World Cup Final 2014: Germany v Argentina – as It Happened |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 July 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/world-cup-final-2014-germany-v-argentina-live-report |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Adam |last=Bate |title=World Cup Final: Was Lionel Messi Really a Disappointment in Brazil or Have We Just Become Numb to His Genius? |work=Sky Sports |date=16 July 2014 |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15241/9381511/world-cup-final-was-lionel-messi-really-a-disappointment-in-brazil-or-have-we-just-become-numb-to-his-genius |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> The following year, Argentina lost to Chile in the 2015 Copa América final; Messi was reportedly selected to receive the Golden Ball, but he rejected the honour.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|first=Adriana |last=Garcia |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa América Defeat |publisher=ESPN FC |date=7 July 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2514749/lionel-messi-grateful-for-support-after-copa-america-defeat |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> During a semi-final match against the United States during the 2016 Copa América Centenario, Messi became Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches.<ref name="record">{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Lionel Messi equals Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record |url=http://www.espnfc.com/argentina/story/2897489/lionel-messi-equals-argentinas-gabriel-batistuta-all-time-goal-scoring-record |work=ESPN FC |date=22 June 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref> Argentina won the semi-final but lost again to Chile in the final.<ref name="Messi retirement" />
Losing three finals in three consecutive years caused Messi to retire from international football, but a nationwide campaign in Argentina helped convince him to return to the national team to lead them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.<ref name="Messi retirement">{{#invoke:cite|news|date=27 June 2016 |title=Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2902891/lionel-messi-flags-potential-argentina-retirement-after-penalty-loss-to-chile |work=ESPN FC}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=Messi 'God's gift' to Argentina – president |newspaper=AS |url=http://en.as.com/en/2016/06/28/football/1467141271_384638.html |date=28 June 2016 |access-date=28 June 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923184002/https://en.as.com/en/2016/06/28/football/1467141271_384638.html }}</ref> Argentina were in jeopardy of missing the tournament on the last game of the qualifiers against Ecuador, but a hat-trick from Messi secured their entry.<ref name="Guardian 2017">{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/11/lionel-messi-hat-trick-secures-argentinas-passage-to-world-cup |title=Lionel Messi hat-trick secures Argentina's passage to World Cup |work=The Guardian |date=11 October 2017}}</ref> They went on to lose to France in the round of 16 during the World Cup, with Messi having one goal and two assists in the tournament.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/43976007 |title=France 4–3 Argentina |work=BBC Sport |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |date=30 June 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> The next year, Messi had only a single goal and one assist in the 2019 Copa América. Argentina finished the tournament in third place after defeating Chile, a victory which marked the start of a 36-game winning streak for the team that lasted for more than three years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/copa-america/0/blog/post/3894006/messis-red-card-overshadows-argentinas-encouraging-win-and-chiles-end-of-an-era |title=Messi's red card overshadows Argentina's encouraging win and Chile's end of an era |publisher=ESPN |last=Vickery |first=Tim |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="unbeaten">{{#invoke:cite|news|last1=Bonn |first1=Kyle |last2=Savage |first2=Will |title=Lionel Messi and Argentina 36-game unbeaten run ends at World Cup: How Saudi Arabia denied Albiceleste's world record bid |work=Sporting News |date=16 November 2022 |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/argentina-unbeaten-run-italy-world-record-streak-messi/bmcsegbknr7e0comxmoojrtf |access-date=3 February 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Argentina vs mexico messi vs erick gutierrez (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Messi facing off against Érick Gutiérrez of Mexico in the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage]] Messi led his team to the end of a 28-year trophy drought in the 2021 Copa América, during which he surpassed Javier Mascherano for most international appearances for Argentina.<ref name="Messi Copa América">{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Das |first=Andrew|date=11 July 2021|title=Messi and Argentina Beat Brazil to Win the Copa América |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-argentina-brazil-copa-america.html|access-date=11 July 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina-arg/story/4422176/messi-sets-argentina-appearances-mark-in-copa-america-match-vs-bolivia |title=Messi sets Argentina appearances mark in Copa America match vs. Bolivia |work=ESPN |first=Sam |last=Marsden |date=28 June 2021|access-date=29 June 2021}}</ref> Messi's team defeated Brazil in the final, and he was named the player of the tournament, having either scored or assisted nine of Argentina's 12 goals.<ref name="Messi Copa América"/> He led Argentina to another victory at the 2022 Finalissima, where he was named player of the match.<ref name="Messi CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup">{{#invoke:cite|web|last=UEFA.com |date=1 June 2022 |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi named official Finalissima Player of the Match |url=https://www.uefa.com/finalissima/news/0276-1549531afce1-16d40688390d-1000--player-of-the-match-messi/ |access-date=2 June 2022 |website=UEFA}}</ref> At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup victory in 36 years, scoring twice in the final to defeat France.<ref name="ArgentinaRecord">Nemer, Roy (19 December 2022). "Lionel Messi scores record 18 goals in 2022 with the Argentina national team". Mundo Albiceleste. Retrieved 19 June 2024.</ref> Having scored seven goals and assisted three during the tournament, Messi again won the World Cup's Golden Ball, becoming the first player to win it twice.<ref name=BCC221218>{{#invoke:cite|news|title=World Cup final: Lionel Messi named best player as Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64019023 |access-date=18 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2022}}</ref>
A hat-trick in a 2023 friendly against Curaçao saw Messi reach 100 international goals, the third player and the first South American in history to achieve the milestone. Later that year, he became the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-makes-history-with-100th-goal-for-argentina |title=Lionel Messi makes history with 100th goal for Argentina |work=FOX Sports |date=28 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2023 |title=Lionel Messi becomes Conmebol WC qualifiers all-time leading scorer |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/2023/10/18/652f5288268e3e8b258b45ad.html |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=MARCA |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001173308/https://www.marca.com/en/football/2023/10/18/652f5288268e3e8b258b45ad.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, Argentina won the Copa América for a second consecutive time,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeNQ1qaCPjJZ/ |title=Messi passes Ali Daei |work=The Athletic |date=10 July 2024 |access-date=10 July 2024 |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710125438/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeNQ1qaCPjJZ/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with Messi setting a new record for most appearances at Copa América, with 39.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|last=Thames |first=Alanis |title=Argentina wins record 16th Copa America title, beats Colombia 1-0 after Messi gets hurt |url=https://apnews.com/article/copa-america-argentina-colombia-score-messi-6753475603a48683a3c4971e451e8263 |publisher=Associated Press |date=14 July 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024}}</ref> After providing two assists in a friendly against Puerto Rico later that year, Messi became the top assist-provider in men's international football history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhawani |first=Vishal |date=5 September 2025 |title=Why Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's final World Cup qualifier vs. Ecuador |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/article/why-lionel-messi-miss-argentina-062458934.html |access-date=9 September 2025 |work=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2025 |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi becomes all-time international assists leader, surpassing Brazil's Neymar and USMNT's Landon Donovan {{!}} Goal.com UK |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/argentina-s-lionel-messi-becomes-all-time-international-assists-leader-surpassing-brazil-s-neymar-and-usmnt-s-landon-donovan/blt73c53ddfe7b9c911 |access-date=15 October 2025 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Player profile == === Style of play === [[File:Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 04 crop.jpg|thumb|Messi prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.]] Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility and allows him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles;<ref name="GoldenYell">{{Cite news |first=Cordt |last=Schnibben |title=The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era |work=Der Spiegel |date=6 June 2012 |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-837019.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608132820/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-837019.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FiveReasons">{{Cite news |first=Karl |last=Ritter |title=Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZWenjqJ/story.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925101639/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZWenjqJ/story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> the Spanish media has dubbed him '''''La Pulga Atómica''''' ("The Atomic Flea").{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, goals for 2010 |publisher=Mundo Deportivo (Spanish) |date=7 December 2009 |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938612.html |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-date=6 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206141454/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938612.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi becomes the 'Atomic Flea' |publisher=Goal |date=20 September 2012 |url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-at%C3%B3mica |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-date=14 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914231953/https://www.goal.com/es/news/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-at%C3%B3mica |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Messi, The Atomic Flea who became the best in the world |publisher=AS (Spanish) |date=28 January 2016 |url=http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colombia/1453936234_817270.html |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303162849/http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colombia/1453936234_817270.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Despite being physically unimposing, Messi possesses significant upper-body strength, which, when combined with his low centre of gravity and resulting balance, aids him in withstanding physical challenges from opponents; he has consequently been noted for his lack of diving in a sport rife with playacting.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Here" /><ref name="FiveReasons" /><ref name="MakingCase">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest Ever Player |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Kevin |last=Garside |date=29 March 2010 |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}} Messi's short, strong legs allow him short bursts of acceleration, while his quick feet enable him to retain control of the ball when dribbling at speed.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lucas |last=Brown |title=Lionel Messi – the New Maradona? |publisher=UEFA |date=30 September 2005 |url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=347644.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001075035/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=347644.html }}</ref> His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it."<ref name="FTMag">{{cite news |first=Ronald |last=Reng |title=Lionel Messi |magazine=FT Magazine |date=27 May 2011 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630163752/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> Messi is predominantly a left-footed player, although he has improved his ability with his weaker right foot since his mid-20s. He usually begins dribbling runs with the outside of his left foot, while using the inside of that foot to score and provide passes and assists.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|p=553}}<ref name="Control">{{Cite news |first=Fabio |last=Monti |title=Controllo, Corsa, Tocco di Palla: Perché nel Calcio Piccolo è Bello |trans-title=Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |language=it |date=8 April 2010 |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221031158/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>
A prolific goalscorer, Messi is known for his positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line. He also functions in a playmaking role, courtesy of his vision and range of passing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever |title=Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever |work=The Sportster |date=4 July 2015 |access-date=22 September 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129193935/https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He has often been described as a magician, conjuring goals and opportunities where none seemingly exist.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |date=7 January 2020 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, goals, records, highlights, Juventus, hat trick, statistics, best stats, age, break down |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goals-highlights-juventus-hat-trick-statistics-age-break-down/news-story/705ff21fcd63e4e372bb62d9f7c3e00a |access-date=10 August 2020 |work=Fox Sports |archive-date=26 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326162010/https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goals-highlights-juventus-hat-trick-statistics-age-break-down/news-story/705ff21fcd63e4e372bb62d9f7c3e00a |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=As Lionel Messi turns 32, a fan ruminates on the ambivalent legacy of the football wizard |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/as-lionel-messi-turns-32-a-fan-ruminates-on-the-ambivalent-legacy-of-the-football-wizard/cid/1693021 |access-date=10 August 2020 |work=Telegraph India |archive-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706113701/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/as-lionel-messi-turns-32-a-fan-ruminates-on-the-ambivalent-legacy-of-the-football-wizard/cid/1693021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 July 2008 |title=Lionel Messi steals the show for Barcelona at Dundee United |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Barcelona-at-Dundee-United.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Barcelona-at-Dundee-United.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 August 2020 |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}} He is known for the accuracy of his free kicks and penalty kicks, and as of March 2026 he ranks second in career goals scored from direct free kicks with 71.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2026 |title=Lionel Messi Breaks Historic Pele Record in Inter Miami's Latest Win |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/lionel-messi-breaks-historic-pele-record-in-inter-miami-s-latest-win |access-date=2 April 2026 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US|last=Langell|first=Amanda}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Summerfield |first=Jude |date=23 March 2026 |title=Lionel Messi scores 71st free-kick of his career to overtake Brazil legend Pele as New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese is left completely embarrassed |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/video-lionel-messi-scores-71st-083203023.html |access-date=2 April 2026 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="SixReasons">{{cite web |first=Francesc |last=Tomas |title=Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best |publisher=ESPN FC |date=25 June 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034318/http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best |url-status=live}}</ref>}} He also has a penchant for scoring from chips.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/02/22/58adac0ae5fdea9b038b45d2.html |title=The art of the chip: Falcao matches Totti, Messi and Raul |publisher=Marca |last=del Río |first=Joel |date=22 February 2017 |access-date=11 April 2017 |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102044650/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/02/22/58adac0ae5fdea9b038b45d2.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
thumb|Messi's dribbling abilities allow him to weave past several defenders and orchestrate attacking plays. Messi's pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards the goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually starting from the halfway line or the right side of the pitch.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="MakingCase" /><ref name="SixReasons" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22iht-edcohen.html |title=The Loose Vuvuzela |work=The New York Times |last=Cohen |first=Roger |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=12 April 2020 |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412150925/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22iht-edcohen.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}} He is widely considered to be one of the greatest dribblers of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6 |title=Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend |work=Business Insider |first=Scott |last=Davis |date=6 June 2015 |access-date=8 November 2015 |archive-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024100544/http://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich |title=Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical rules |work=The Guardian |first=Barney |last=Ronay |date=7 May 2015 |access-date=8 November 2015 |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211015917/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich |url-status=live}}</ref> Former Argentina manager Diego Maradona said of him, "The ball stays glued to his foot ... I've never seen anyone with Messi's ball control."<ref name="Control" /> Beyond Messi's individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative combinations, in particular with former Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.<ref name="GoldenYell" /><ref name="FiveReasons" />
As his career advanced and his athleticism and tendency to dribble diminished slightly with age, Messi began to dictate play in deeper areas of the pitch and developed into one of the best passers and playmakers in football history.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102044651/https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/ |archive-date=2 November 2022 |title=Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever |work=the Sportster |date=4 July 2015 |access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no2-lionel-messi |title=FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.2, Lionel Messi |work=FourFourTwo |first=Thore |last=Haugstad |date=28 July 2017 |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109021805/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no2-lionel-messi |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/la-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-real-madrid-star/ |title=Lionel Messi misses out on World's best Playmaker 2018 title, finishes second to Real Madrid star |work=Fox Sports Asia |first=Aditya |last=Rangarajan |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208211629/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/la-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-real-madrid-star/ }}</ref>}} His work-rate off the ball and defensive responsibilities have decreased as his career has progressed; by covering less ground on the pitch, and instead conserving his energy for short bursts of speed, he has been able to improve his efficiency, movement, and positional play, and has been able to avoid muscular injuries. While he was injury-prone in his early career, he was able to decrease his injury count by running less off the ball, and by adopting a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468661/how-messi-went-from-injury-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man |title=How Messi went from injury-prone teenager to bionic man |website=Goal |publisher=Footballco |last=Hayward |first=Ben |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707062037/https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468661/how-messi-went-from-injury-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man/ |archive-date=7 July 2019 }}</ref>
=== Tactical positioning === [[File:Argentina team in St. Petersburg (cropped) Messi.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|A versatile forward, Messi often plays as a classic number 10.]] Tactically, Messi plays in a free attacking role; a versatile player, he is capable of attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch. His favoured position in childhood was the playmaker behind two strikers, known as the ''enganche'' in Argentine football, but he began his career in Spain as a left-winger or left-sided forward.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=155–156, 405–406}} Upon his first-team debut, he was moved onto the right wing by manager Frank Rijkaard; from this position, he could more easily cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch and curl shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly cross balls for teammates.<ref name="FTMag" /> Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a false nine role; positioned as a centre-forward or lone striker, he roamed the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, his own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.<ref name="BoyGenius" />
Under the stewardship of Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, Messi returned to playing in the right-sided position that characterised much of his early career. He played in the manager's 4–3–3 formation,<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=West |title=Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble |work=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31956028 |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-date=19 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919015618/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31956028 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-luis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-become/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-luis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-become/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=How Luis Suarez moved Lionel Messi onto Barcelona's wing and became the best centre-forward on the planet |newspaper=The Telegraph |first=Alistair |last=Tweedale |date=21 May 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> and was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free playmaking role in later seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html |title=In focus: Messi's changing role |publisher=UEFA |first=Richard |last=Martin |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=18 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418233636/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html }}</ref><ref name="improvement">{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11105832/barcelona8217s-improvement-under-ernesto-valverde-examined |title=Barcelona's improvement under Ernesto Valverde examined |publisher=Sky Sports |first1=Guillem |last1=Balagué |author-link1=Guillem Balagué |first2=Nick |last2=Wright |first3=Adam |last3=Smith |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630213931/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11105832/barcelona8217s-improvement-under-ernesto-valverde-examined |url-status=live}}</ref> Under Ernesto Valverde, Messi played in a variety of roles. While he was still occasionally deployed in a deeper role—from which he could make runs into the box, on the right wing or as a false nine— he was also used in a more offensive, central role in a 4–2–3–1.<ref>Multiple sources: * {{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/en/news/barcelona-top-scorer-lionel-messi-explains-how-has-role-has-developed-under-valverde/1019375#bEStu6B25LqTkjvv.97 |title=Barcelona top-scorer Lionel Messi explains how has role has developed under Valverde |work=Squawka |first=Cady |last=Siregar |date=7 March 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018 |archive-date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715155510/http://www.squawka.com/en/news/barcelona-top-scorer-lionel-messi-explains-how-has-role-has-developed-under-valverde/1019375#bEStu6B25LqTkjvv.97 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/en/news/dembele-is-going-nowhere-five-things-learned-from-barcelonas-super-cup-win-v-sevilla/1053044 |title=Dembele is going nowhere: Five things learned from Barcelona's Super Cup win v Sevilla |work=Squawka |first=Muhammad |last=Butt |date=12 August 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813114311/http://www.squawka.com/en/news/dembele-is-going-nowhere-five-things-learned-from-barcelonas-super-cup-win-v-sevilla/1053044 |url-status=live}} * {{Cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/08/21/599a9d8de5fdeae2358b457b.html |title=Valverde returns Messi to the False 9 role |newspaper=Marca |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=13 August 2018 |archive-date=14 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001634/http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/08/21/599a9d8de5fdeae2358b457b.html |url-status=live}} * {{Cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/09/11/59b650a3e2704e62408b4611.html |title=Valverde recycles Messi |newspaper=Marca |first=Sergi |last=Sanz |date=11 November 2017 |access-date=13 August 2018 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813210327/http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/09/11/59b650a3e2704e62408b4611.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="improvement" /> He was also used as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, where he was once again given the licence to drop deep, link up with midfielders, orchestrate his team's attacking plays, and create chances for his attacking partner Luis Suárez.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/news/1461884 |title=3 ways Barcelona could line up with Coutinho |work=The Score |first=Michael J. |last=Chandler |date=6 January 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706113716/https://www.thescore.com/news/1461884 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/dissected-how-the-new-barca-play-and-where-theres-hope-for-chelsea-rpwl0wbn5 |title=Dissected: How the new Barcelona play – and why there's hope for Chelsea |newspaper=The Times |first=Tom |last=Clarke |date=19 February 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630185857/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dissected-how-the-new-barca-play-and-where-theres-hope-for-chelsea-rpwl0wbn5 |url-status=live}}</ref> With the Argentina national team, Messi has similarly played anywhere along the frontline. Under various managers, he has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, as an out-and-out striker, in a supporting role alongside another forward, or in a deeper, free creative role as a classic number 10 playmaker or attacking midfielder behind the strikers.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Cox |title=Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina Role |publisher=ESPN FC |date=13 November 2014 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role |access-date=13 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013602/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/argentina-copa-america-lionel-messi-tactics |title=Argentina's great tactical dilemma: where should Lionel Messi play? |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Martin |last=Mazur |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704213019/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/argentina-copa-america-lionel-messi-tactics |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == Messi is widely regarded as one of the two best players of his generation, alongside Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref name="RonaldoRivalry">Multiple sources: * {{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/story/messi-ronaldo-the-future/index.html |title=A future without Messi and Ronaldo |work=Goal |access-date=8 June 2018 |last=Macdonald |first=Paul |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029200613/https://www.goal.com/story/messi-ronaldo-the-future/index.html |url-status=live }} * {{cite web |last=Staunton |first=Peter |url=http://www.goal.com/story/messi-ronaldo-changing-face-of-football/index.html |title=Messi and Ronaldo: Changing the face of football |work=Goal |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804214954/http://www.goal.com/story/messi-ronaldo-changing-face-of-football/index.html |url-status=live }} * {{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/whoever-wins-the-ballon-d-or-the-messi-ronaldo-duopoly-is-coming-to-an-end_sto5054730/story.shtml |title=Whoever wins the Ballon d'Or, the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly is coming to an end |work=Eurosport |date=11 January 2016 |access-date=8 June 2018 |last=Haugstad |first=Thore |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120014411/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/whoever-wins-the-ballon-d-or-the-messi-ronaldo-duopoly-is-coming-to-an-end_sto5054730/story.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> He is also considered one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport.<ref name="goat"> Multiple sources: * {{cite web |title=Why Lionel Messi is the best male athlete of all time |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 December 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63964902 |access-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902160444/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63964902}} * {{cite web |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |date=18 December 2022 |title=Lionel Messi cements status as soccer GOAT as Argentina wins thrilling World Cup final |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-cements-status-as-goat-argentina-win-world-cup-2022-12 |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224021804/https://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-cements-status-as-goat-argentina-win-world-cup-2022-12 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Doug |date=18 December 2022 |title=Lionel Messi Cements His Goat Status With A Little Help From His Friends |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-cements-his-goat-status-with-a-little-help-from-his-friends|access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Fox Sports|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404023500/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-cements-his-goat-status-with-a-little-help-from-his-friends|url-status=live}} * {{cite web |last=O'Hanlon |first=Ryan |title=Why Lionel Messi is the best male athlete of all time |publisher=ESPN |date=16 December 2022 |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/insider/story/_/id/35259622/lionel-messi-world-cup-proves-best-male-athlete-ever |access-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218003939/https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/insider/story/_/id/35259622/lionel-messi-world-cup-proves-best-male-athlete-ever}} * {{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Joshua |last2=Clegg |first2=Jonathan |title=Messi's Argentina Beats France to Win the World Cup |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=19 December 2022 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/argentina-france-world-cup-messi-mbappe-11671386377 |access-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009060605/https://www.wsj.com/articles/argentina-france-world-cup-messi-mbappe-11671386377}} * {{cite web |last=Robson |first=James |title=Messi wins World Cup to push claim to be soccer's GOAT |publisher=Associated Press |date=18 December 2022 |url=https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-wins-world-cup-final-is-he-the-goat-0bf74af4ef88ea1e6b3eadce375ebb4a |access-date=7 October 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703140046/https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-wins-world-cup-final-is-he-the-goat-0bf74af4ef88ea1e6b3eadce375ebb4a}} * {{cite web |last=Smith |first=Rory |title=For Messi, and Argentina, the (Extra) Wait Is Worth It |work=The New York Times |date=18 December 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/18/sports/soccer/messi-world-cup-win.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-date=22 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122063447/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/18/sports/soccer/messi-world-cup-win.html}}</ref> In 2025, he was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS.<ref>{{Cite web |title= IFFHS ALL TIME TOP 10 |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/4380 |access-date=31 July 2025 |website=www.iffhs.com}}</ref>
A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established himself among the world's best players before age 20.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi: I'm Not the Best |publisher=FIFA |date=31 May 2007 |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924214113/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> Shortly after teammate Ronaldinho won the 2005 Ballon d'Or, he commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça" in reference to his 18-year-old protégé.<ref>{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Ball |title=Britain v Spain (Sort Of) |publisher=ESPN FC |date=23 February 2006 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135558/http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600 |url-status=live}}</ref> Four years later, after Messi won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin,{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=519–524}} the public debate regarding his qualities as a player moved beyond his status in contemporary football to the possibility that he was one of the greatest players in history.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="MagicFeet" /><ref name="MakingCase" /><ref>{{Cite news |first=Phil |last=Minshull |title=Is Messi the Greatest Ever? |work=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshull/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025354/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshull/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}} An early proponent was his then-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August 2009, described Messi as the best player he had ever seen and would ever see.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Veré Jamás |trans-title=Messi Is the Best Player I Have Ever Seen |newspaper=El Mundo |language=es |date=29 August 2009 |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/08/29/futbol/1251499664.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322125856/https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/08/29/futbol/1251499664.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players.<ref name="Sublime" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 May 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> By the end of Barcelona's second treble-winning season, the perception of Messi as one of the greatest footballers of all time had become the apparent view among many fans and pundits in continental Europe.<ref name="Telegraph 2016">{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Magical Messi Grabs Hat-trick in Copa America as Argentina Romp into Quarters |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 June 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Pete |last=Jenson |title=Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All? |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 May 2015 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-of-them-all-10287066.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-of-them-all-10287066.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>
Messi received dismissals by critics throughout his career because he had not won an international tournament at the senior level with Argentina.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="laughable">{{cite web |first=John |last=Tilghman |title=Maradona vs. Messi: A Laughable Comparison |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/508097-maradona-vs-messi-a-laughable-comparison?search_query=John%20Tilghman |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=1 May 2019 |date=4 November 2010 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501160742/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/508097-maradona-vs-messi-a-laughable-comparison%3Fsearch_query%3DJohn%2520Tilghman |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Cairns |title=How Does Lionel Messi Stack up against Football Legends? |publisher=BBC Newsbeat |date=8 January 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-20943498 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212413/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/20943498/how-does-lionel-messi-stack-up-against-football-legends |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Lea">{{cite web | last=Lea | first=Greg | url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-messi-vs-maradona-debate-flawed-and-always-will-be | title=Why the Messi vs Maradona debate is flawed (And always will be) | date=22 June 2016 | access-date=1 October 2024 | archive-date=1 October 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001173300/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-messi-vs-maradona-debate-flawed-and-always-will-be | url-status=live }}</ref>}} However, his subsequent victories in the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup resulted in him finally winning every top tier trophy at both the club and country levels, an achievement that many pundits felt cemented Messi's legacy.<ref name="goat"/>
=== Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo === {{Main|Messi–Ronaldo rivalry}}
[[File:Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - Portugal vs Argentina, 9th February 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Messi has been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo (left) throughout much of their careers.]] Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with Cristiano Ronaldo, who many consider his career rival.<ref name="RonaldoRivalry" /> Both achieved numerous individual accolades, won dozens of trophies for both club and country, and are the two leading goal scorers in history. Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi Blames Media for Inventing Rivalry with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=15 August 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Snowball |title=Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not My Rival|website=Eurosport|publisher=TNT Sports International|date=11 June 2015 |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924004853/http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world.<ref name="Overtaken">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=West |title=Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi? |work=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26651301 |access-date=10 August 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824045031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26651301 |url-status=live}}</ref> Pundits have compared the ongoing rivalry to past sports rivalries like the Muhammad Ali–Joe Frazier rivalry in boxing, the Prost–Senna rivalry in motorsport, and the tennis rivalries between Federer–Nadal and Borg–McEnroe.<ref>Multiple sources: * {{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Graham |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi |title=The game's best rivalry |date=28 November 2010 |access-date=30 September 2014 |work=ESPN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006150207/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi |archive-date=6 October 2014}} * {{cite web |title=Messi v Ronaldo|website=Sky Sports|publisher=Sky Group|date=17 October 2011 |url=http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105413/http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo |archive-date=6 October 2014 }} * {{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/the-special-two-g7dbcfsfgxt |title=The Special Two |date=21 December 2012 |access-date=13 October 2014 |work=The Times |url-access=subscription |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626225332/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article3637725.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>
Fans and pundits alike regularly argue the individual merits of both players.<ref name="Overtaken" /><ref>{{Cite news |first=Chris |last=Mendes |title=World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo's Personal Duel with Lionel Messi Is Affecting His Performances for Portugal |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 June 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Messi is lauded for his combination of dribbling, playmaking, passing and goalscoring, while Ronaldo has received praise for his exceptional speed and athleticism, goalscoring skills, and performance under pressure.<ref> {{cite news |last=Smith |first=Ben |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17786045 |title=Barcelona's Messi v Real Madrid's Ronaldo |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=13 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905081616/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17786045 |archive-date=5 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rice |first=Simon |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-v-cristiano-ronaldo--worlds-greatest-players-locked-in-new-battle-8567328.html |title=Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo – world's greatest players locked in new battle |date=10 April 2013 |access-date=13 October 2014 |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028195727/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-v-cristiano-ronaldo--worlds-greatest-players-locked-in-new-battle-8567328.html |archive-date=28 October 2014 }}</ref> Beyond their playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques – Ronaldo is {{height|m=1.87}} with a muscular build, while Messi is much shorter at {{height|m=1.70}} – and their contrasting public personalities, with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics differing from Messi's humility.<ref>Multiple sources: * {{Cite news |first=Rob |last=Hughes |title=Ronaldo May Look Like the Best, but There Is Someone Better |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 September 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165502/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |first1=Pedro |last1=Pinto |first2=James |last2=Montague |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/football/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/ |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm Better than Messi |publisher=CNN |date=29 May 2012 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125456/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/football/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/ |url-status=live}} * {{Cite news |first=Tim |last=Lewis |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He Knows It |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 November 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-portugal-football |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006163656/http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-portugal-football |url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding individual achievements, Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ballons d'Or winners list |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=The Telegraph |date=2 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> eight FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo's four.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sorin |last1=Arotaritei |first2=Roberto |last2=Di Maggio |first3=Karel |last3=Stokkermans |title=Golden Boot (Soulier d'Or) Awards |website=RSSSF |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601072653/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Off the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.<ref name="50million">{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Reaches $50 Million-A-Year Deal With Barcelona |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-year-deal-with-barcelona/ |work=Forbes |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091338/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-year-deal-with-barcelona/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Messi's head-to-head record against teams that feature Ronaldo consists of 15 wins, 9 draws, and 10 losses in competitive club matches. The first competitive matchup between the two occurred in 2008, when Ronaldo's Manchester United played Messi's Barcelona in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League semi-finals; Manchester United advanced and eventually won the final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rutledge |first=Lewis |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/102148/report |title=Scholes seals final spot |date=29 April 2008 |access-date=30 September 2014 |work=Sky Sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083710/http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/102148/report |archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> The two players and their club teams met again in the next year's Champions League final, with Messi and Barcelona achieving a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |author-link=Sid Lowe |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583118/messi-ronaldos-most-memorable-clashes-champions-league-el-clasico |title=Messi and Ronaldo's most memorable clashes: From the Champions League to El Clasico |date=17 January 2023 |access-date=9 June 2023 |work=ESPN |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028173107/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583118/messi-ronaldos-most-memorable-clashes-champions-league-el-clasico |url-status=live }}</ref> After this, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid, the main rivals of Barcelona, which resulted in Messi facing Ronaldo many times in ''El Clásico'', which ranks among the world's most viewed annual sports events.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |author-link1=Daniel Taylor (journalist)|last2=Jackson |first2=Jamie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/11/cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-real-madrid1 |title=Manchester United accept £80m Cristiano Ronaldo bid from Real Madrid |date=11 June 2009 |access-date=30 September 2014 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123043733/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/11/cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-real-madrid1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="50million" /> A number of football critics, commentators, and players have said that Messi's triumph with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup has settled the contest between the two players.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |last=Sharland |first=Pete |date=18 December 2022 |title=World Cup 2022 Final: Win Or Lose, Argentina Star Lionel Messi Has Settled The Goat Debate Forever |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/world-cup-2022-final-win-or-lose-argentina-star-lionel-messi-has-settled-the-goat-debate-forever_sto9275487/story.shtml |access-date=19 January 2023 |website=Eurosport |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222185828/https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/world-cup-2022-final-win-or-lose-argentina-star-lionel-messi-has-settled-the-goat-debate-forever_sto9275487/story.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Usry |first=Rob |date=18 December 2022 |title=Lionel Messi puts the GOAT debate to rest with storybook World Cup win |url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2022/12/18/23515312/lionel-messi-world-cup-who-is-soccer-football-goat-argentina |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=SBNation.com |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221220741/https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2022/12/18/23515312/lionel-messi-world-cup-who-is-soccer-football-goat-argentina |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo: Lionel Messi rivalry now 'gone' says Portuguese great |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66738794 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913002953/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66738794 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
=== Comparisons with Diego Maradona === {{Main|New Maradona}}
{{quote box | width = 25% | align = right | quote = "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi." | source = – Diego Maradona hailing the 18-year-old Messi as his successor in February 2006<ref name="successor">{{Cite news |title=Maradona Hails Messi as Successor |work=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001190650/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> }}
Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with Diego Maradona, who was also considered the best player of his generation and one of the greatest in the history of the sport.<ref name="adept">{{Cite news |first=Jeré |last=Longman |title=Adept? Yes. Adored? Not Yet. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 July 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.html |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715030203/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no1-diego-maradona |title=FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.1, Diego Maradona |magazine=FourFourTwo |last=Murray |first=Andrew |date=26 September 2017 |access-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135411/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no1-diego-maradona |archive-date=29 September 2017 }}</ref> The comparisons stem broadly from both players' short statures, their similar playing styles as left-footed playmakers, and their shared nationality as Argentines.<ref name="Daily">{{cite news |title=Maradona proclaims Messi as his successor |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/25/content_523966.htm |agency=Reuters |newspaper=China Daily |date=25 February 2006 |access-date=28 December 2012 |quote="I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi," Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning captain was quoted as saying on Friday. |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407203458/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/25/content_523966.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially, Messi was merely one of many young Argentine players to receive the "New Maradona" moniker, but as his career progressed, he proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing himself as the best player Argentina had produced since Maradona.<ref name="Aimar" />{{sfn|Lisi|2011|pp=533–539}} When Messi was 18 years old, Maradona called him the best player in the world and hailed him as his successor.<ref name="successor" /> From 2008 through the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Messi played for Argentina's national team while Maradona managed the team, and it was during this period that Messi was given the number 10 shirt that Maradona famously wore. Maradona gave Messi his blessing, telling him: "the No 10 is yours. There's nobody better than you to wear it."<ref name="telegraph.co.uk" />
[[File:Maradona vs england.jpg|thumb|right|Due to their similar size and style of play, Messi has frequently been compared to his compatriot Diego Maradona.]] During the early and middle parts of Messi's career, he was generally held in lesser esteem than Maradona in Argentine society. Part of this had to do with Messi's lack of tournament success and perceived uneven output with the national team; Maradona had famously led Argentina to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which set an expectation for Messi to do the same.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="laughable"/><ref name="adept"/><ref name="Burden" />}} Argentines also identified more with the fiery, extroverted and controversial Maradona who came from the slums, as opposed to the reserved, introverted and unassuming Messi who had a comparably unremarkable upbringing in Rosario.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Lea"/><ref name="Burden">{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Himmelman |title=The Burden of Being Messi |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 June 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403064416/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Marcela |last=Mora y Araujo |title=Lionel Messi Is Not the New Maradona – He Can Be Better than That |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-argentina-barcelona |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119233541/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-argentina-barcelona |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Maradona, along with several pundits and footballing figures, questioned whether Messi's temperament made him a capable leader for the national team.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="laughable"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46279184 |title=Lionel Messi: Is Barcelona forward really cut out for captaincy? |work=BBC Sport |first=Andy |last=West |date=22 November 2018 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526082244/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46279184 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/2889220/diego-maradona-says-lionel-messi-lacks-leadership-to-carry-a-team?src=com |title=Diego Maradona: Lionel Messi lacks the leadership needed to carry a team |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 June 2016 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501160742/http://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/2889220/diego-maradona-says-lionel-messi-lacks-leadership-to-carry-a-team%3Fsrc%3Dcom |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Furthermore, Messi's lack of outward passion for the Argentina shirt, his early tendency not to sing the national anthem, and his relative lack of emotional displays have led to a perception that he feels more Catalan than Argentine.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=414–420}}<ref name="Vickery" /> However, despite having lived in Barcelona since age 13, Messi rejected the option of representing Spain internationally, saying: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lionel Messi Vomits Because of Nerves, Says Argentina's Alejandro Sabella |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 June 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125222532/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup |url-status=live}}</ref>
Football journalist Tim Vickery said the perception of Messi among Argentines changed in 2019, when Messi made a conscious effort to become "more one of the group, more Argentine".<ref name="Vickery">{{Cite news |title=Tim Vickery: Lionel Messi can now be recognised alongside Diego Maradona by Argentinians |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12771189/tim-vickery-lionel-messi-can-now-be-recognised-alongside-diego-maradona-by-argentinians |access-date=20 December 2022 |work=Sky Sports |archive-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219124557/https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12771189/tim-vickery-lionel-messi-can-now-be-recognised-alongside-diego-maradona-by-argentinians |url-status=live}}</ref> Other pundits noted that Messi had grown more assertive as a leader during the 2019 Copa América by becoming more vocal with his teammates both on and off the pitch, finally singing the national anthem with the team before matches, and speaking with journalists at length after matches.<ref>Multiple sources: * {{Cite news |title=Messi concludes his most influential year for Argentina |work=Marca |date=19 November 2019 |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/19/5dd40e8546163fb5478b45ec.html |access-date=28 September 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001171253/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/19/5dd40e8546163fb5478b45ec.html }} * {{Cite news |first=Tim |last=Vickery |title=Argentina exit the Copa America early but they've won something better: Messi is fired up again |work=ESPN |date=3 July 2019 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37509915/messi-engagement |access-date=28 September 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001171252/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37509915/messi-engagement }} * {{Cite news |title=The New Messi: A protester and a leader |newspaper=LA Times |date=7 July 2019 |url=https://www.latimes.com/espanol/noticas-mas/articulo/2019-07-07/efe-4017829-15585528-20190707 |access-date=1 October 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001172637/https://www.latimes.com/espanol/noticas-mas/articulo/2019-07-07/efe-4017829-15585528-20190707}}</ref> Following Argentina's 2022 World Cup win, Vickery felt that Messi would now be held in the same esteem by his compatriots as Maradona.<ref name="Vickery" /> Journalist and former footballer Jorge Valdano said he saw a "Maradonian" edge to Messi's performances during the tournament, while his compatriot Osvaldo Ardiles said that Messi's provocative actions towards the Netherlands team during the quarter-final resembled Maradona's behavior, which further endeared Messi to his fellow Argentines.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Horncastle |first=James |date=19 July 2023 |title=Messi vs Argentina: How the 'Catalan Argentine' escaped the shadow of Maradona |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4647037/2023/07/20/lionel-messi-argentina-maradona-legacy-world-cup/ |work=The New York Times |access-date=7 October 2024 |archive-date=19 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619165415/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4647037/2023/07/20/lionel-messi-argentina-maradona-legacy-world-cup/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ArdilesMessi">{{Cite news |first=Ben |last=Morse |title=Lionel Messi cements his legacy as the greatest with World Cup win |work=CNN |date=18 December 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/18/football/lionel-messi-argentina-legacy-world-cup-final-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=28 September 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001171247/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/18/football/lionel-messi-argentina-legacy-world-cup-final-spt-intl/index.html }}</ref> Messi himself later remarked that the World Cup victory "won over all the people of Argentina. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that's a beautiful feeling."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39008596/messi-world-cup-win-struggles-argentina-fans-love-me |title=Messi on World Cup win: After struggles in Argentina, fans love me |date=1 December 2023 |website=ESPN |access-date=7 October 2024 |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718184721/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39008596/messi-world-cup-win-struggles-argentina-fans-love-me |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Cultural impact == === Popularity === right|thumb|Messi's success on the pitch has earned him lucrative endorsement deals along with widespread recognition and popularity. Messi was among the ''Time'' 100, an annual list of the world's most influential people, in 2011, 2012 and 2023.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Thierry |last=Henry |title=The 2011 Time 100: Lionel Messi, God of the Field |magazine=Time |date=21 April 2011 |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417164323/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Mia |last=Hamm |title=The World's 100 Most Influential People 2012: Lionel Messi |magazine=Time |date=18 April 2012 |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202010654/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Federer |first1=Roger |title=The 100 Most Influential People of 2023: Lionel Messi |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269893/lionel-messi/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |magazine=Time |date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422015245/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269893/lionel-messi/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}} According to a 2014 survey in 15 international markets, Messi was familiar to 87% of respondents around the world, of whom 78% perceived him favourably, making him the second-most recognised player globally, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, and the most likeable of all contemporary players.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Borg |title=Ballon D'Or: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo – Battle of the Brands |publisher=CNN |date=2 December 2014 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-real-madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/ |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=29 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129232450/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-real-madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Top 10 Most Marketable Footballers in the World |publisher=Repucom |date=28 May 2014 |url=http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630024625/http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> World Press Photo selected "The Final Game", a photo of Messi facing the World Cup trophy after Argentina's final defeat to Germany, as the best sports image of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Cup final photo of Lionel Messi eyeing trophy wins prize |work=ESPN |date=12 February 2015 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2295953/headline |access-date=11 August 2021 |archive-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811182214/https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2295953/headline |url-status=live}}</ref>
Messi's fanbase on Facebook is among the largest of public figures: by July 2023, he had more than 114 million followers, the second highest for an athlete after Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi Joins Facebook, Nets 7 m Followers |publisher=ESPN |date=6 April 2011 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-facebook-nets-7m-followers |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140146/http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-facebook-nets-7m-followers |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Karissa |last=Giuliano |title=The 10 Most Popular Celebrities on Facebook |publisher=CNBC |date=9 June 2015 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-facebook.html |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803071710/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-facebook.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi has over 500 million Instagram followers, the second highest for an individual and athlete after Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Sets Instagram Record With World Cup Victory Post |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-sets-instagram-record-200520111.html |access-date=20 December 2022 |work=Yahoo Sports |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220145226/https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-sets-instagram-record-200520111.html }}</ref> Messi's World Cup celebration post from 18 December 2022 is the most liked post on Instagram with more than 75 million likes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Madhok |first=Diksha |title=Lionel Messi's World Cup photos are most-liked Instagram post ever |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/business/messi-most-liked-instagram-post-intl-hnk/index.html |date=21 December 2022 |access-date=23 December 2022 |website=CNN |archive-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715083718/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/business/messi-most-liked-instagram-post-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2023, Messi was featured in the Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala, India.<ref>{{cite news |last=PTI |date=1 May 2023 |title=Kerala's iconic Thrissur Pooram held in full grandeur featuring Lionel Messi during 'Kudamattam |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/iconic-thrissur-pooram-held-in-full-grandeur-messi-featured-during-kudamattam/article66799414.ece |access-date=3 May 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503092256/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/iconic-thrissur-pooram-held-in-full-grandeur-messi-featured-during-kudamattam/article66799414.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 May 2023 |title=Lionel Messi steals the show at Kerala's Iconic Thrissur Pooram |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/lionel-messi-steals-the-show-at-keralas-iconic-thrissur-pooram-article-99922391 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=TimesNow |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503161127/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/lionel-messi-steals-the-show-at-keralas-iconic-thrissur-pooram-article-99922391 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2023, a set of shirts Messi had worn during the 2022 World Cup was sold at auction for $7.8 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roush |first1=Ty |title=Lionel Messi's World Cup Jerseys Sell For $7.8 Million At Auction – Falling Short Of Two Most Valuable Jerseys Of All Time |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/12/14/lionel-messis-world-cup-jerseys-sell-for-78-million-at-auction---falling-short-of-two-most-valuable-jerseys-of-all-time/ |access-date=16 December 2023 |work=Forbes |date=14 December 2023}}</ref>
During an exhibition match on 4 February 2024 between Inter Miami and Hong Kong League players at Hong Kong Stadium, Messi remained on the bench the entire game. His absence from the pitch caused massive backlash in Hong Kong and China, as thousands of spectators had hoped to see him play.<ref>{{cite news |author1=鄭惟仁 |title=梅西香港友誼賽全程坐板凳 球迷噓聲高喊退票 |url=https://news.pts.org.tw/article/679778 |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=公視新聞網 |date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205055928/https://news.pts.org.tw/article/679778 |url-status=live }}</ref> One Messi commercial was taken off the air in those regions,<ref name=":10">{{cite news |date=15 February 2024 |title=美斯遭央視連環封殺 《天下足球》片頭及天氣預報廣告畫面被刪 |trans-title=CCTV's sports programme removes Messi's scenes |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/991017/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%81%AD%E5%A4%AE%E8%A6%96%E9%80%A3%E7%92%B0%E5%B0%81%E6%AE%BA-%E5%A4%A9%E4%B8%8B%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83-%E7%89%87%E9%A0%AD%E5%8F%8A%E5%A4%A9%E6%B0%A3%E9%A0%90%E5%A0%B1%E5%BB%A3%E5%91%8A%E7%95%AB%E9%9D%A2%E8%A2%AB%E5%88%AA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215130206/https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/991017/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%81%AD%E5%A4%AE%E8%A6%96%E9%80%A3%E7%92%B0%E5%B0%81%E6%AE%BA-%E5%A4%A9%E4%B8%8B%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83-%E7%89%87%E9%A0%AD%E5%8F%8A%E5%A4%A9%E6%B0%A3%E9%A0%90%E5%A0%B1%E5%BB%A3%E5%91%8A%E7%95%AB%E9%9D%A2%E8%A2%AB%E5%88%AA |archive-date=15 February 2024 |access-date=15 February 2024 |work=HK01 |language=zh-HK}}</ref> while other commercials continued to air despite pressure from Chinese social-media users.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web |last=許祺安 |date=10 February 2024 |title=美斯得罪了中國？2023年訪華旋風到今官媒狠批 14億市場凍過水？ |trans-title=Messi no longer welcomed in China? |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E8%A7%80%E5%AF%9F/989951/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E5%BE%97%E7%BD%AA%E4%BA%86%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B-2023%E5%B9%B4%E8%A8%AA%E8%8F%AF%E6%97%8B%E9%A2%A8%E5%88%B0%E4%BB%8A%E5%AE%98%E5%AA%92%E7%8B%A0%E6%89%B9-14%E5%84%84%E5%B8%82%E5%A0%B4%E5%87%8D%E9%81%8E%E6%B0%B4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214153151/https://www.hk01.com/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E8%A7%80%E5%AF%9F/989951/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E5%BE%97%E7%BD%AA%E4%BA%86%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B-2023%E5%B9%B4%E8%A8%AA%E8%8F%AF%E6%97%8B%E9%A2%A8%E5%88%B0%E4%BB%8A%E5%AE%98%E5%AA%92%E7%8B%A0%E6%89%B9-14%E5%84%84%E5%B8%82%E5%A0%B4%E5%87%8D%E9%81%8E%E6%B0%B4 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=HK01 |language=zh-HK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2024 |title=美斯風波︱內地掀抵制潮 官媒籲冷靜弄清楚合同細節 |trans-title=Boycott Messi on Chinese trend; state-run media urge for calm |url=https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-china/3315776/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%A2%A8%E6%B3%A2%E5%85%A7%E5%9C%B0%E6%8E%80%E6%8A%B5%E5%88%B6%E6%BD%AE-%E5%AE%98%E5%AA%92%E7%B1%B2%E5%86%B7%E9%9D%9C%E5%BC%84%E6%B8%85%E6%A5%9A%E5%90%88%E5%90%8C%E7%B4%B0%E7%AF%80 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214153103/https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-china/3315776/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%A2%A8%E6%B3%A2%E5%85%A7%E5%9C%B0%E6%8E%80%E6%8A%B5%E5%88%B6%E6%BD%AE-%E5%AE%98%E5%AA%92%E7%B1%B2%E5%86%B7%E9%9D%9C%E5%BC%84%E6%B8%85%E6%A5%9A%E5%90%88%E5%90%8C%E7%B4%B0%E7%AF%80 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Sing Tao Daily |language=zh-HK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=當初高調找梅西代言…大陸這家快遞公司慘掃颱風尾 遭陸網遷怒抵制 |trans-title=Chinese company boycotted over Messi ad |url=https://udn.com/news/story/7332/7765880 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214153235/https://udn.com/news/story/7332/7765880 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=UDN |language=zh-TW}}</ref>}} The Chinese Football Association temporarily halted its partnership with the Argentine Football Association over the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=中国足协停止与阿根廷足协合作，梅西3月中国行面临泡汤 |website=羊城晚报 |url=https://sports.ycwb.com/2024-02/08/content_52493682.htm |archive-date=5 March 2024 |access-date=14 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305010202/https://sports.ycwb.com/2024-02/08/content_52493682.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Wealth and sponsorships === In 2026, Bloomberg reported that Messi's net worth had surpassed $1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi Joins Ronaldo in Billionaire Football Ranks After US Deals |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-05-22/messi-joins-ronaldo-in-billionaire-football-ranks-after-inter-miami-move |website=Bloomberg News}}</ref> Messi was the world's highest-paid footballer for five out of six years between 2009 and 2014. His salary broke records in 2013 (€41 million) and 2014 (€65 million).<ref>{{cite web |first=Roberto |last=Notarianni |title=Messi, la (Très) Bonne Paie |trans-title=Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll |magazine=France Football |date=25 March 2015 |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/news/Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/545838 |access-date=10 August 2015 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025022721/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/545838 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jamie |last=Rainbow |title=Stat of the Day: Top 20 Best Paid Players and Coaches |work=World Soccer |date=18 March 2014 |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-best-paid-players-coaches-350260 |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202210754/https://www.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-best-paid-players-coaches-350260 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Forbes'' listed him as the world's second highest-paid athlete in 2016, and as the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |title=Cristiano Ronaldo first footballer to top Forbes rich list of highest-earning athletes |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-footballer-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 June 2016 |first=Ben |last=Reynolds |access-date=9 June 2016 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610125422/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-footballer-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forbes2017">{{Cite web |last1=Settimi |first1=Christina |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-set-to-become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/ |title="Lionel Messi Signs New Barcelona Contract, Set To Become World's Highest-Paid Footballer" |website=Forbes |access-date=17 December 2017 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131144425/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-set-to-become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo to head Forbes top 100 highest paid athletes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/48602166 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108013901/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/48602166 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} In 2018, he was the first player to exceed the €100 million benchmark for a calendar year, with earnings of €126 million in combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-classement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372 |title="Lionel Messi devance largement Cristiano Ronaldo au classement des joueurs les mieux payés au monde" |access-date=3 June 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120075640/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-classement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Keyvan Antonio |last=Heydari |title=Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 May 2009 |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/messi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=23 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043122/https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/messi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Messi became the second footballer to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Settimi |first1=Christina |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/09/14/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2020-messi-wins-mbappe-rises/#7601f0671cff |title=World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players: Messi Wins, Mbappe Rises |work=Forbes |access-date=22 September 2020 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927010615/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/09/14/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2020-messi-wins-mbappe-rises/#7601f0671cff |url-status=live}}</ref>
In addition to salary and bonuses, much of Messi's income comes from endorsements. His brand was at first based exclusively on his talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more glamorous players like Ronaldo and David Beckham. At the start of his career, Messi mainly held sponsorship contracts with companies that employed sports-oriented marketing, such as Adidas and Pepsi.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |title=Lionel Messi Voted Soccer's Best, But Sponsors Stay Away |work=Forbes |date=10 January 2011 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-sponsors-stay-away/ |access-date=11 December 2015 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130015401/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-sponsors-stay-away/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Fourth">{{cite web |title=The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi |work=SportsPro |date=27 May 2011 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517142514/http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi }}</ref> Since 2006, Adidas has been his largest sponsor, and he eventually became the company's leading brand endorser.{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=94–97}}<ref name="50million" /> Starting in 2010, Messi's marketing appeal broadened as he reached higher achievements as a player. He signed long-term endorsement deals with luxury brands Dolce & Gabbana and Audemars Piguet,<ref name="Fourth" /><ref>{{cite press release |title=Lionel Messi and Dolce & Gabbana: An Assist in Style |publisher=Dolce & Gabbana |url=http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827002248/http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2017 }}</ref> and became a brand ambassador for Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Ooredoo, and Tata Motors, among other companies.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web |first=Oliver |last=Millerchip |title=Messi to Front New Gillette Campaign |work=SportsPro |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210072634/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Argentine Soccer Star Leo Messi Named Global Brand Ambassador for Turkish Airlines |work=Reuters |date=6 December 2012 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172433/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ian |last=McPherson |title=Messi Cashes in with Qatari Contract |work=SportsPro |date=28 February 2013 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120222/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Is Global Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors |work=Firstpost |date=3 November 2015 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/tata-motors-ropes-in-lionel-messi-as-global-brand-ambassador-2492172.htmlv |access-date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015131146/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/the-best-sports-photo-of-the-year-goes-to---lionel-messi-and--the-final-game--183718601.html |archive-date=15 October 2015}}</ref>}} Messi has also been the face of two video game series: Konami's ''Pro Evolution Soccer'' and EA Sports' ''FIFA''.{{sfn|Guinness World Records|2014|p=102}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Lionel Messi to Star on Cover of EA Sports FIFA for Fourth Straight Year |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=15 June 2015 |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cover |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230051843/https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cover |url-status=live}}</ref>
thumb|Messi's Argentina jersey, supplied by Adidas, was sold out worldwide during the 2022 World Cup.<ref name="Arg sales">{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi's Argentina jerseys are sold out worldwide |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/19/business/adidas-leo-messi-jerseys/index.html |access-date=6 May 2023 |agency=CNN |date=19 December 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715083816/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/19/business/adidas-leo-messi-jerseys/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>''SportsPro'' cited Messi as one of the world's most marketable athletes every year between 2010 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Long |title=The World's 50 Most Marketable 2015 |work=SportsPro |date=20 May 2015 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610032555/http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable }}</ref> He became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas Messi, in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retrospect: Adidas F50 Messi Collection |publisher=Soccer Bible |date=18 March 2015 |url=http://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2015/03/retrospect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/ |access-date=11 December 2015 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016202850/https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2015/03/retrospect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Backed by Messi |publisher=Adidas |date=25 September 2015 |url=http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |access-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222143641/http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353 |archive-date=22 December 2015 }}</ref> The same year, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name and number was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leo Messi's Barcelona Shirt Is the Most Sold Worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2609501-leo-messis-barcelona-shirt-is-the-most-sold-worldwide-cristiano-ronaldo-2nd |access-date=4 January 2019 |work=Bleacher Report |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606142534/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2609501-leo-messis-barcelona-shirt-is-the-most-sold-worldwide-cristiano-ronaldo-2nd |url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2022 World Cup, Adidas sold out of Messi's No. 10 Argentina jersey worldwide.<ref name="Arg sales" />
In 2013, a Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi and Kobe Bryant became the most-watched advertisement on YouTube, with 137 million views. It was voted by users as the best advertisement of the decade 2005–2015.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kaitlyn |last=Krasselt |title=Cannes to Cannes: YouTube's Most Viewed Ads |work=USA Today |date=21 June 2014 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/ |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129201018/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Laura |last=Lorenzetti |title=YouTube Users Say This Is the 'Ad of the Decade' |magazine=Time |date=3 June 2015 |url=https://time.com/3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/ |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=20 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720195139/http://time.com/3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2021, Messi signed a five-year deal to become a brand ambassador for Hard Rock Cafe,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hard Rock International Begins Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration By Announcing Partnership With Lionel Messi |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-begins-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration-by-announcing-partnership-with-lionel-messi-301310207.html |access-date=28 March 2026 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> and the following year he became a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia. He was criticised for partnering with Saudi Arabia because of the country's poor record on human rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/12/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-deal-tourism |title=Lionel Messi earned $122m last year. He still felt the need to take Saudi money |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=The Guardian |first=Karim |last=Zidan |date=12 May 2022 |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512143419/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/12/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-deal-tourism |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-tourism-ambassador-sportswashing/ |title=Messi Is Accused of Being the Face of a Blood-Soaked Regime |access-date=20 June 2022 |website=VICE |first=Rimal |last=Farukh |date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620130330/https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgy8dk/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-tourism-ambassador-sportswashing |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Public art === thumb|right|upright|One of many street art displays depicting Messi Street art and public murals depicting Messi have been painted around the world.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|news|date=29 June 2016|title=The massive Messi mural and other artworks around the world |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36666955|access-date=5 October 2024|work=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite|news|last=Cardenas |first=Felipe |date= 14 February 2024 |title=Meeting Messi: How the Argentine superstar changed the lives of a restaurateur, barber and muralist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5274668/2024/02/14/lionel-messi-inter-miami-local-profiles/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 July 2023}}</ref> One prominent work of art is the ''Sistine Chapel of Football'', a parody of Michelangelo's ''The Creation of Adam'' that features Messi, Diego Maradona and several other Argentine footballers. The work is exhibited at the Sportivo Pereyra club in Barracas, Buenos Aires.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=3 May 2018 |title=Argentina tiene una réplica futbolera de la Capilla Sixtina |url=http://www.voydeviaje.com.ar/argentina/argentina-tiene-una-replica-futbolera-de-la-capilla-sixtina |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213231938/http://www.voydeviaje.com.ar/argentina/argentina-tiene-una-replica-futbolera-de-la-capilla-sixtina |archive-date=13 December 2021 |access-date=6 July 2020 |work=Voy de Viaje |location=Córdoba, Argentina |number=}}</ref>
Madame Tussauds unveiled a wax sculpture of Messi at Wembley Stadium in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi's Madame Tussauds Waxwork Unveiled At Wembley |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/19/lionel-messis-madame-tussauds-waxwork-unveiled_n_1896126.html |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=Huffington Post |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712184457/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/19/lionel-messis-madame-tussauds-waxwork-unveiled_n_1896126.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Several days after Messi announced his retirement from Argentina's national team in June 2016, a bronze statue of him was erected in Buenos Aires in an attempt to convince him to return.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2016 |title=Messi statue unveiled in Argentina amid pleas for his return |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36666955 |access-date=13 March 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 December 2021 |title=The massive Messi mural and other artworks around the world |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/59654046 |access-date=13 March 2026 |work=BBC Newsround |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, a life-sized statue of Messi holding the World Cup trophy was unveiled outside the CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay in March 2023. The statue of Messi stands alongside statues of Pelé and Maradona.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|title=Messi statue to stand next to Maradona, Pele at CONMEBOL museum |work=Reuters |date=31 March 2023 |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/messi-statue-stand-next-maradona-pele-conmebol-museum-2023-03-28/ |access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref> On 13 December 2025, during Messi's tour of India, a 70-foot (21-metre) statue of Messi holding the World Cup trophy was unveiled at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2025 |title=Lionel Messi to unveil 70ft statue of himself on 'GOAT' tour |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c2k4p7xjn2zo |access-date=13 December 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Media === ''Messi'', a documentary directed by Álex de la Iglesia, premiered at the 71st Venice International Film Festival in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Barker |title=Venice Film Review: 'Messi' |work=Variety |date=27 August 2014 |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/ |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214204931/https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend'', a biographical docuseries focusing on Messi's career, his highs and lows with the Argentina national football team, and their eventual success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, aired on Apple TV+ on 21 February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2023 |title=Apple TV+ scores with documentary series featuring legendary football champion Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup career, culminating in his dramatic Qatar 2022 win |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/06/apple-tv-scores-with-documentary-series-featuring-legendary-football-champion-lionel-messi-and-his-fifa-world-cup-career-culminating-in-his-dramatic-qatar-2022-win/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=Apple.com |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221185342/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/06/apple-tv-scores-with-documentary-series-featuring-legendary-football-champion-lionel-messi-and-his-fifa-world-cup-career-culminating-in-his-dramatic-qatar-2022-win/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Business ventures === On 4 June 2024, Messi announced the release of Más+, an American brand of sports drinks and energy drinks.<ref name="SafidDeen2024">{{cite web |last1=Deen |first1=Safid |title=Lionel Messi debuts new drink Mas+: How to get Messi's new drink online and in stores |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/06/04/mas-by-messi-how-to-buy-new-lionel-messi-drink-online-and-in-stores/73971194007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=16 July 2024 |date=4 June 2024}}</ref> Messi created the drinks because he could not find a flavourful and healthy hydration option that suited his needs.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="CNWYahoo">{{cite web |title=The World's Greatest Soccer Star Lionel Messi Unveils His Next-Generation Hydration Drink to Canadians – Más+ by Messi – Created to Inspire Everyone to Feel Like a Champion in Every Part of Life |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/worlds-greatest-soccer-star-lionel-120000539.html |website=Yahoo! Finance |publisher=CNW Group |access-date=17 July 2024 |date=17 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="SafidDeen2024" /><ref name="JessicaBroadbent2024">{{cite web |last1=Broadbent |first1=Jessica |title=Will Mas+ by Messi stand the test of time? |url=https://www.just-drinks.com/explainer/will-mas-by-messi-stand-the-test-of-time/?cf-view |website=JustDrinks.com |access-date=16 July 2024 |date=14 June 2024}}</ref>}} On 19 September, Messi launched the production company 525 Rosario, which will produce films, sporting events coverage and branded commercials for athletes worldwide. It is a joint venture with Smuggler Entertainment, which co-produced ''Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend'' earlier in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Lizzy |last= Becherano |title=Lionel Messi launches production company named 525 Rosario |work=ESPN |date=19 September 2024 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41328798/lionel-messi-launches-production-company-named-525-rosario }}</ref> In 2025, Messi was invited by his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez to play a role in Deportivo LSM, the Uruguayan professional football club that Suárez founded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Associated |date=27 May 2025 |title=Lionel Messi joins Luis Suárez to launch team in Uruguay |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45347510/lionel-messi-luis-suarez-launch-soccer-team-uruguay-inter-miami |access-date=15 March 2026 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> On 16 April 2026, Messi acquired full ownership of the Spanish football club UE Cornellà.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 April 2026|title=Leo Messi, new owner of UE Cornellà|url=https://uecornella.cat/en/leo-messi-new-owner-of-ue-cornella/|access-date=16 April 2026|website=UE Cornellá}}</ref>
== Philanthropy == Throughout his career, Messi has been involved in charitable efforts aimed at children, a commitment that stems in part from the medical difficulties he faced in his own childhood. Since 2004, he has contributed his time and finances to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), an organisation that has also collaborated with FC Barcelona.<ref name="Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador">{{Cite web |title=Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador |work=UNICEF |date=25 May 2012 |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52964.html |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002825/http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52964.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first1=Iain |last1=Rogers |first2=Justin |last2=Palmer |title=Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016 |work=Reuters |date=12 November 2013 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124194912/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112}}</ref> Messi has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010; he completed his first field mission for the organisation that year as he travelled to Haiti to bring awareness to the plight of the country's children following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns related to HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2015 |title=Leo Messi Activity Highlights |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144838/https://www.unicef.org/people/people_52965.html|archive-date=7 September 2018|access-date=30 July 2021 |publisher=UNICEF}}</ref> In November 2013, Messi and his one-year-old son Thiago were part of a publicity campaign to raise awareness of mortality rates among disadvantaged children.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF |publisher=UNICEF |date=28 October 2013 |url=http://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810091152/https://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html|archive-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>
In 2007, Messi launched the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport for children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi Fast Facts |publisher=CNN |date=25 June 2015 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109181514/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/world/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/ |url-status=live}}</ref> It was established following Messi's visit to a hospital in Boston for terminally ill children, an experience that resonated with him to the point that he decided to reinvest part of his earnings into society.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} Through his foundation, Messi has awarded research grants, financed medical training, and invested in the development of medical centres and projects in Argentina, Spain, and elsewhere in the world.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in Algeria |newspaper=Arab Times |date=3 August 2015 |url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/ |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174559/http://www.arabtimesonline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to receiving funds from Messi's own fundraising activities, the foundation receives financial support from various companies which have endorsement agreements with Messi, with Adidas as the main sponsor.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports |publisher=New England Sports Network |date=22 June 2012 |url=http://nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argentine-superstar-supports/ |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111100702/https://nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argentine-superstar-supports/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Partners |publisher=Leo Messi Foundation |url=http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318214259/http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-partners/ }}</ref> A gold replica of Messi's left foot, weighing {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and valued at $5.3 million, went on sale in Japan in 2013 to raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messi's Left Foot – Yours for $5.25 Million |publisher=CNN |date=6 March 2013 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-leo-messi-golden-foot/ |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915085802/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-leo-messi-golden-foot/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Messi has invested in youth football in Argentina. He supports Sarmiento, a football club based in the Rosario neighbourhood where he was born, and in 2013 he committed to the refurbishment of the club's facilities and the installation of all-weather pitches. Messi also financially supports the management of several youth players at Newell's Old Boys (his boyhood club) and rival club Rosario Central, as well as at River Plate and Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}} In 2012, Messi funded the construction of a new gymnasium and a dormitory inside Newell's stadium for their youth academy. His youth coach at Newell's, Ernesto Vecchio, is employed by the Leo Messi Foundation as a talent scout for young players.<ref name="Here" /> On 7 June 2016, Messi won a libel case against ''La Razón'' newspaper and was awarded €65,000 in damages, which he donated to the charity Médecins Sans Frontières.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damages-to-charity |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity |work=ESPN |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818095407/http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damages-to-charity |url-status=live}}</ref> During the COVID-19 pandemic, Messi and his FC Barcelona teammates announced they would take a 70% salary cut to offset the club's financial losses, and said they would make further contributions to ensure club employees received full salaries while unable to work.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/03/30/lionel-messis-coronavirus-wage-cut-could-cost-him-50-million/ |title=Lionel Messi's Coronavirus Wage Cut Could Cost Him $50 Million |first=Christina |last=Settimi |work=Forbes |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620003356/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/03/30/lionel-messis-coronavirus-wage-cut-could-cost-him-50-million/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi also donated €1 million to fight the spread of COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Messi, Guardiola donate $1.08 million each to coronavirus battle |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-soccer-spain/messi-guardiola-donate-1-08-million-each-to-coronavirus-battle-idUSKBN21B3HV |work=Reuters |date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |archive-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107173426/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-soccer-spain/messi-guardiola-donate-1-08-million-each-to-coronavirus-battle-idUSKBN21B3HV |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-donate-to-hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html |title=Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi donate to hospitals in fight against coronavirus |first=Matias |last=Grez |work=WFSB|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=8 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408025857/https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-donate-to-hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html}}</ref>
In November 2016, while the Argentine Football Association was being run by a FIFA committee due to an economic crisis, three of the national team's security staff told Messi that they had not received their salaries for six months. He paid the salaries of the three employees.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel |work=ESPN |date=24 June 2016 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel |access-date=19 November 2016 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119121357/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain |date=18 November 2016 |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/11/18/582f53b822601d46758b4610.html |access-date=19 November 2016 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109153942/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/11/18/582f53b822601d46758b4610.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2021, Messi made a donation to the {{lang|ca|Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya|italic=no}}: the Adidas shoes he wore when he scored his 644th goal for Barcelona and broke Pelé's record for most goals scored for a single club. The museum later auctioned off the shoes for £125,000 to support a charity focused on children with cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sport |date=12 February 2021 |title=Adidas and Messi donate boots to Art Museum to be auctioned in April |url=https://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/adidas-and-messi-donate-boots-to-art-museum-to-be-auctioned-in-april-11514617 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=Sport |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212114929/https://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/adidas-and-messi-donate-boots-to-art-museum-to-be-auctioned-in-april-11514617 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Ahead of the 2021 Copa América, Messi donated three signed sweatshirts to the Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech – whose directors spoke of their admiration for Messi – in order to secure 50,000 doses of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac, in the hope of vaccinating all South American football players. The plan, which was brokered by Uruguay's president Luis Lacalle Pou, caused some controversy for its focus on football players, given widespread vaccine scarcity on the continent.<ref name="Vac">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/14/lionel-messi-helps-obtain-50000-covid-vaccines-for-south-american-players |title=Lionel Messi helps obtain 50,000 Covid vaccines for South American players |first=Goni |last=Uki |work=The Guardian |date=14 April 2021|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> In January 2025, Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States, for his contributions to healthcare and education programs for children around the world.<ref name="PMOF">{{cite web |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/04/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-3/ |title=President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom |publisher=The White House |date=4 January 2025 |access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Deen |first=Safid |title=Lionel Messi unable to attend Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony. Here's why. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2025/01/04/heres-why-messi-did-not-attend-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony/77457448007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=4 January 2025 |archive-date=6 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106132734/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2025/01/04/heres-why-messi-did-not-attend-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony/77457448007/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Personal life == === Family and relationships === Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, who he eventually married on 30 June 2017 in their hometown of Rosario.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-759/ |title=Lionel Messi's wife explains her absence at World Cup opener that left him broken hearted |work=USAHint |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701061408/http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-759/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/style/weddings/lionel-messi-marries-stunning-childhood-sweetheart-antonella-roccuzzo-in-argentine-home-town-35883938.html |title=Lionel Messi marries stunning childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Argentine home town |access-date=1 July 2017 |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=July 2017 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701102939/http://www.independent.ie/style/weddings/lionel-messi-marries-stunning-childhood-sweetheart-antonella-roccuzzo-in-argentine-home-town-35883938.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Roccuzzo is the cousin of Messi's childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia, and Messi has known her since he was five years old.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40454654 |title=Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century' |access-date=1 July 2017 |work=BBC News |archive-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630232429/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40454654 |url-status=live}}</ref> After keeping their relationship private for a year, Messi first confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009, before going public a month later during a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona–Espanyol derby.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Amy |last=Francombe |title=Antonela Roccuzzo – the first lady of Argentinean football |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/antonella-roccuzzo-lionel-messi-wife-b1048246.html |date=19 December 2022 |access-date=19 January 2022 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219183820/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/antonella-roccuzzo-lionel-messi-wife-b1048246.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
Messi and Roccuzzo have three sons. To celebrate Roccuzzo's first pregnancy, Messi placed the ball under his shirt after scoring in Argentina's 4–0 win against Ecuador on 2 June 2012, before confirming the pregnancy in an interview two weeks later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi Shares Baby Joy |publisher=beIN Sports |date=17 June 2012 |url=http://www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek9sw1ky0beeucau3b}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}</ref> The child, a son named Thiago, was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Messi Junior Named Thiago |publisher=ESPN FC |date=2 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-named-thiago |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134241/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-named-thiago |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2015, Messi confirmed that they were expecting another child.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says |publisher=ESPN FC |date=30 April 2015 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2426028/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002551/http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2426028/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting their third child.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3230393/lionel-messi-and-wife-antonella-roccuzzo-expecting-their-third-child |title=Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo expecting their third child |publisher=ESPN FC |date=15 October 2017 |access-date=16 October 2017 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327112235/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3230393/lionel-messi-and-wife-antonella-roccuzzo-expecting-their-third-child |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi and his family are Catholic.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lisi |first1=Clemente |title=A Messi situation: Examining the faith of the world's greatest soccer player |url=https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/9/16/lionel-messi-examining-the-faith-of-the-worlds-greatest-soccer-player |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=Religion Unplugged |date=16 September 2020 |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218055412/https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/9/16/lionel-messi-examining-the-faith-of-the-worlds-greatest-soccer-player |url-status=live}}</ref>
Messi enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family members, particularly his mother, Celia, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are largely run as a family business: his father, Jorge, has been his agent since he was 14, and his oldest brother, Rodrigo, handles his daily schedule and publicity. His mother and other brother, Matías, manage his charitable organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, and take care of personal and professional matters in Rosario.{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=31, 143, 570}}
Since leaving for Spain at age 13, Messi has maintained close ties to Rosario, even preserving his distinct Rosarino accent. He has retained ownership of his family's old house, although it has long stood empty, and he maintains a penthouse apartment in an exclusive residential building for his mother, as well as a family compound just outside the city. Messi keeps in frequent contact with a small group of confidants in Rosario, most of whom were fellow members of "The Machine of '87" at Newell's Old Boys. He was on bad terms with the club after his transfer to Barcelona, but by 2012 their public feud had ended, with Newell's embracing its ties with Messi and issuing a club membership card to his newborn son.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Here" />{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=576–577}}<ref>{{Cite web |first=Chris |last=Wright |title=After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's Old Boys |publisher=ESPN FC |date=5 November 2012 |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-planet-thiago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126182132/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-planet-thiago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Messi has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi reaffirms desire to return to Newell's Old Boys before retirement |url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/argentina/story/2943890/lionel-messi-reaffirms-desire-to-return-to-newells-old-boys-before-retirement |work=ESPN FC |date=5 September 2016 |access-date=20 May 2022 |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520090716/https://www.espn.com.au/football/argentina/story/2943890/lionel-messi-reaffirms-desire-to-return-to-newells-old-boys-before-retirement |url-status=live}}</ref> Messi has citizenship in Argentina, Italy, and Spain.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Montes |first1=Silvia |title=Leo Messi, llamado a votar en las próximas elecciones italianas |url=https://as.com/tikitakas/2019/05/04/portada/1556974023_395209.html |access-date=20 August 2022 |work=Diario AS |date=4 May 2019 |language=es |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820190043/https://as.com/tikitakas/2019/05/04/portada/1556974023_395209.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Tax fraud === Messi came under investigation in 2013 for suspected tax evasion. Offshore companies in tax havens such as Uruguay, Switzerland and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to his sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009. Messi, who pleaded ignorance to the scheme, voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million in August 2013. On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were given suspended 21-month prison sentences and ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 million in fines, respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-prison-jail-sentence |title=Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=6 July 2016 |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-date=7 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707152733/http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-prison-jail-sentence |url-status=live}}</ref> In court, Messi told the judge, "I just played football. I signed the contracts because I trusted my dad and the lawyers and we had decided that they would take charge of those things." An unrelated shell company in Panama set up in 2012 was subsequently identified as belonging to the Messis in the Panama Papers data leak.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-football-and-trusted-my-dad |title=Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father |work=ESPN FC |date=2 June 2016 |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327112233/http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-football-and-trusted-my-dad |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Career statistics == === Club === {{updated|match played 24 May 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, U.S. Open Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|All appearances in UEFA Champions League, unless otherwise noted}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Barcelona C |{{nowrap|2003–04{{sfn|Caioli|2012|pp=69–71}}}} |Tercera División |10 || 5 || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || 10 || 5 |- |rowspan="3"|Barcelona B |2003–04<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04 |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630165905/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> |Segunda División B |5 || 0 || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || 5 || 0 |- |2004–05<ref name="Matches 2004–05">{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2004-05 |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630175258/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2004-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> |Segunda División B |17 || 6 || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || colspan="2"|— || 17 || 6 |- !colspan="2"|Total !22!!6!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!22!!6 |- |rowspan="18"|Barcelona |2004–05<ref name="Matches 2004–05" /> |La Liga |7 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || colspan="2"|— || 9 || 1 |- |2005–06<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2005-06 |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630200019/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2005-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |17 || 6 || 2 || 1 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 25 || 8 |- |2006–07<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2006-07 |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212928/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2006-07 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |26 || 14 || 2 || 2 || 5 || 1 || 3{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España}} || 0 || 36 || 17 |- |2007–08<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2007–08 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2007-08 |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630205507/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2007-08 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |28 || 10 || 3 || 0 || 9 || 6 || colspan="2"|— || 40 || 16 |- |2008–09<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209091527/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |31 || 23 || 8 || 6 || 12 || 9 || colspan="2"|— || 51 || 38 |- |2009–10<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318114330/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |35 || 34 || 3 || 1 || 11 || 8 || 4{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and two goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup}} || 4 || 53 || 47 |- |2010–11<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630194758/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |33 || 31 || 7 || 7 || 13 || 12 || 2{{efn|name=SDE|Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España}} || 3 || 55 || 53 |- |2011–12<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12 |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318162042/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |37 || 50 || 7 || 3 || 11 || 14 || 5{{efn|One appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in Supercopa de España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup}} || 6 || 60 || 73 |- |2012–13<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2012–13 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2012-13 |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318133303/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2012-13 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |32 || 46 || 5 || 4 || 11 || 8 || 2{{efn|name=SDE}} || 2 || 50 || 60 |- |2013–14<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2013–14 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2013-14 |access-date=10 August 2015 |archive-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810163710/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2013-14 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |31 || 28 || 6 || 5 || 7 || 8 || 2{{efn|name=SDE}} || 0 || 46 || 41 |- |2014–15<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2014–15 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2014-15 |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915085528/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2014-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |38 || 43 || 6 || 5 || 13 || 10 || colspan="2"|— || 57 || 58 |- |2015–16<ref name="Matches 2015–16">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2015–16 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2015-16 |access-date=6 September 2015 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915085556/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2015-16 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |33 || 26 || 5 || 5 || 7 || 6 || 4{{efn|One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de España, one appearance and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup}} || 4 || 49 || 41 |- |2016–17<ref name="Matches 2016–17">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2016–17 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2016-17 |access-date=27 October 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821010456/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2016-17 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |34 || 37 || 7 || 5 || 9 || 11 || 2{{efn|name=SDE}} || 1 || 52 || 54 |- |2017–18<ref name="Matches 2017–18">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2017–18 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2017-18 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014537/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2017-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |36 || 34 || 6 || 4 || 10 || 6 || 2{{efn|name=SDE}} || 1 || 54 || 45 |- |2018–19<ref name="Matches 2018–19">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2018–19 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2018-19 |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821010232/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2018-19 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |34 || 36 || 5 || 3 || 10 || 12 || 1{{efn|name=SDE}} || 0 || 50 || 51 |- |2019–20<ref name="Matches 2019–20">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2019–20 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2019-20 |access-date=17 September 2019 |archive-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706113637/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2019-20 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |33 || 25 || 2 || 2 || 8 || 3 || 1{{efn|name=SDE}} || 1 || 44 || 31 |- |2020–21<ref name="Matches 2020–21">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2020–21 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2020-21 |access-date=9 October 2020 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014539/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2020-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> |La Liga |35 || 30 || 5 || 3 || 6 || 5 || 1{{efn|name=SDE}} || 0 || 47 || 38 |- !colspan="2"|Total !520 || 474 || 80 || 56 || 149 || 120 || 29 || 22 || 778 || 672 |- |rowspan="3"|Paris Saint-Germain |2021–22<ref name="Matches 2021–22">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2021–22 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2021-22 |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130204328/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2021-22 |url-status=live}}</ref> |Ligue 1 |26 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 7 || 5 || colspan="2"|— || 34 || 11 |- |2022–23<ref name="Matches 2022–23">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2022–23 |publisher=BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2022-23 |access-date=31 July 2022 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821010233/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2022-23 |url-status=live}}</ref> |Ligue 1 |32 || 16 || 1 || 0 || 7 || 4 || 1{{efn|Appearance in Trophée des Champions}} || 1 || 41 || 21 |- !colspan="2"|Total !58 || 22 || 2 || 0 || 14 || 9 || 1 || 1 || 75 || 32 |- | rowspan="5" |Inter Miami |2023 |MLS |6 || 1 || 1 || 0 || colspan="2"|— || 7{{efn|Appearances in Leagues Cup}} || 10 || 14 || 11 |- |2024 |MLS |19 || 20 || colspan="2"|— || 3{{efn|name=CCC|Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup}} || 2 || 3{{efn|Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs}} || 1 || 25 || 23 |- |2025 |MLS |28 || 29 || colspan="2" |— ||7{{efn|name=CCC}} || 5 || 14{{efn|Four appearances and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup, four appearances and two goals in Leagues Cup, six appearances and six goals in MLS Cup playoffs}} || 9 || 49 || 43 |- |2026 |MLS |14 || 12 || colspan="2" |— ||2{{efn|name=CCC}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 16 || 13 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !67 || 62 || 1 || 0 || 12 || 8 || 24 || 20 || 104 || 90 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !677 || 569 || 83 || 56 || 175 || 137 || 54 || 43 || 989 || 805 |} {{notelist}}
=== International === {{See also|List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi}} {{updated|match played 31 March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|Year !colspan="2"|Competitive !colspan="2"|Friendly !colspan="2"|Total |- !Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3 | Argentina U20{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=209–219}}{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=220–240}} |2004 |colspan=2 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |- |2005 |16{{efn|Nine appearances and five goals in the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, seven appearances and six goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.}} | 11 | colspan=2|— | 16 | 11 |- !Total ! 16 ! 11 ! 2 ! 3 ! 18 ! 14 |- |rowspan=2|Argentina U23{{sfn|Balagué|2013|pp=436–437}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Saaid |first=Hamdan |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol2008f-det.html |title=Games of the XXIX. Olympiad |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=12 September 2008 |access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref> |2008 |5{{efn|Appearances in the 2008 Summer Olympics.}} || 2 || colspan=2|— || 5{{efn-lg|name=U23|Does not include an unofficial friendly match played on 24 May 2008 in Barcelona between Argentina U23 and the Catalonia national football team,<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527190720/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/24/barcelona/1211658712.html |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/24/barcelona/1211658712.html |title=La selección catalana pierde ante Argentina (0–1) en un partido marcado por la política |website=El Mundo |archive-date=27 May 2008 |date=24 May 2008 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225161247/http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2008/05/25/pagina-18/1396683/pdf.html |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2008/05/25/pagina-18/1396683/pdf.html |title=Fiesta y equilibrio |website=Mundo Deportivo |page=18 |archive-date=25 December 2022 |date=25 May 2008 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref> as Catalonia is not affiliated with either FIFA or UEFA as a national member association and is therefore not allowed to participate in official competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkey |first=Ian |title=Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/10541466/Catalonia-and-Basque-Country-reignite-call-for-independent-national-football-identities.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228184034/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/10541466/Catalonia-and-Basque-Country-reignite-call-for-independent-national-football-identities.html |archive-date=28 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=30 December 2013 |access-date=28 December 2022}}</ref>}} | 2 |- !Total ! 5 ! 2 ! 0 ! 0 ! 5 ! 2 |- |rowspan=23|Argentina<ref name="Century" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi: Player Profile |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi |access-date=9 September 2015 |archive-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011072031/http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi |url-status=live}}</ref> |scope=row|2005 | 3{{efn|Appearances in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |- |scope=row|2006 | 3{{efn|Appearances in 2006 FIFA World Cup.}} | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 2 |- |scope=row|2007 | 10{{efn|Six appearances and two goals in 2007 Copa América, four appearances and two goals in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 6 |- |scope=row|2008 | 6{{efn|name=WCQ10|Appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 |- |scope=row|2009 | 8{{efn|name=WCQ10}} | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 3 |- |scope=row|2010 | 5{{efn|Appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup.}} | 0 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 2 |- |scope=row|2011 | 8{{efn|Four appearances in 2011 Copa América, four appearances and two goals in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 2 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 4 |- |scope=row|2012 | 5{{efn|name=WCQ14|Appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 5 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 12 |- |scope=row|2013 | 5{{efn|name=WCQ14}} | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 |- |scope=row|2014 | 7{{efn|Appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup.}} | 4 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 8 |- |scope=row|2015 | 6{{efn|Appearances in 2015 Copa América.}} | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 4 |- |scope=row|2016 | 10{{efn|Five appearances and three goals in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América Centenario.}} | 8 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 8 |- |scope=row|2017 | 5{{efn|Appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 |- |scope=row|2018 | 4{{efn|Appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup.}} | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 |- |scope=row|2019 | 6{{efn|Appearances in 2019 Copa América.}} | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 5 |- |scope=row|2020 | 4{{efn|Appearances in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 1 |colspan=2| — | 4 | 1 |- |scope=row|2021 | 16{{efn|Nine appearances and five goals in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four goals in 2021 Copa América.}} | 9 |colspan=2| — | 16 | 9 |- |scope=row|2022 | 10{{efn|Two appearances and one goal in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, one appearance in 2022 Finalissima, seven appearances and seven goals in 2022 FIFA World Cup.}} | 8 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 18 |- |scope=row|2023 | 5{{efn|name=WCQ26|Appearances in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 |- |scope=row|2024 | 9{{efn|Five appearances and one goal in 2024 Copa América, four appearances and three goals in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.}} | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 6 |- |scope=row|2025 | 3{{efn|name=WCQ26}} | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 |- |scope=row|2026 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |- !scope=row|Total ! 138 ! 63 ! 60 ! 53 ! 198 ! 116 |- !colspan=2|Career total ! 159 ! 74 ! 62 ! 56 ! 221 ! 132 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== {{For|a comprehensive listing of Messi's achievements|List of career achievements by Lionel Messi}}'''Barcelona'''<ref name="BarcelonaHonours" /><ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="ElGrafico" /> * 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:{{refn|group=note|name=TrophiesNote}}<!-- The 2005 trophy should not be added, per previous consensus at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Football/Archive 132#Player Honours--> 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'''<ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="ElGrafico" /> * Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23 * Trophée des Champions: 2022
'''Inter Miami'''{{refn|group=note|name=TrophiesNote}}<ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="ElGrafico" /> * MLS Cup: 2025 * Supporters' Shield: 2024 * Leagues Cup: 2023
'''Argentina U20'''<ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="ElGrafico" /> * FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005
'''Argentina U23'''<ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="ElGrafico" /> * Olympic Games: 2008
'''Argentina'''<ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="ElGrafico" /> * FIFA World Cup: 2022 * Copa América: 2021, 2024 * Finalissima: 2022
'''Individual''' * Ballon d'Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023{{refn|group=note|name=BDOFIFA}} * FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023{{refn|group=note|name=BDOFIFA}} * FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022<ref name="FIFAHonours" /><ref name="Reuters">{{Cite web |editor1=Toby Davis |editor2=Ed Osmond |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/lionel-messi-argentina-players-world-cup-goals-stats-career-highlights-2022-12-16/ |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi: World Cup goals, stats and career highlights |work=Reuters |date=18 December 2022 |access-date=5 February 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205112252/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/lionel-messi-argentina-players-world-cup-goals-stats-career-highlights-2022-12-16/ |url-status=live}}</ref> * FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022 * FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011<ref name="FIFAHonours" /> * FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005<ref name="FIFAHonours" /> * FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005<ref name="FIFAHonours" /> * 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 * European Golden Shoe: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19<ref name="SixthGoldenShoe" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Pettigrove |first=Jason |title=A Sixth Golden Shoe Sees Lionel Messi Stand Alone |date=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpettigrove/2019/10/16/a-sixth-golden-shoe-sees-lionel-messi-stand-alone/ |website=Forbes |issn=0015-6914 |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019004931/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpettigrove/2019/10/16/a-sixth-golden-shoe-sees-lionel-messi-stand-alone/ |archive-date=19 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> * 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,{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Honours">{{Cite news |first=Paul M. |last=Otero |title=Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos |trans-title=Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain |date=12 November 2013 |language=es |url=http://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |access-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328162523/https://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384256483.html |archive-date=28 March 2019 }}</ref><ref name="MessiBest">{{Cite web |title=Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador |trans-title=Messi, Best Forward and Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |language=es |date=2 December 2013 |url=https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |access-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113604/https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/ |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="2014–15BBVA">{{Cite web |title=Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |date=30 November 2015 |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140218/https://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player |archive-date=22 March 2019 }}</ref>}} 2016–17,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi Beats Cristiano Ronaldo To La Liga Best Player Award |website=soccerladuma |date=19 December 2017 |url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/messi-ronaldo-neymar-watch-1/lionel-messi-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-to-la-liga-best-player-award/285797 |access-date=19 December 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923140137/https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/international/messi-ronaldo-neymar-mbappe-watch/lionel-messi-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-to-la-liga-best-player-award-20171219 |url-status=live}}</ref> 2017–18,<ref>{{cite web |title=Leo Messi reçoit le Pichichi et MVP de la Liga 2017–18 |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=12 November 2018 |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.fr/fr/photos/913399/leo-messi-recoit-le-pichichi-et-mvp-de-la-liga-2017-18|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923141051/https://www.fcbarcelona.fr/fr/photos/913399/leo-messi-recoit-le-pichichi-et-mvp-de-la-liga-2017-18|url-status=live}}</ref> 2018–19<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Messi wins La Liga best player award for 2018–19 season |website=barcablaugranes.com |date=17 December 2019 |url=https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2019/12/17/21024688/lionel-messi-wins-la-liga-best-player-award-for-2018-19-season|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923140207/https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2019/12/17/21024688/lionel-messi-wins-la-liga-best-player-award-for-2018-19-season|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pla Diaz |first=Emilio |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html |title=Spain - Footballer of the Year |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=17 January 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112164212/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Ligue 1 Best Foreign Player of the Season: 2022–23 * MLS Most Valuable Player: 2024, 2025<ref name="MLSMVP">{{cite web |date=9 December 2025 |title=Inter Miami's Lionel Messi repeats as Landon Donovan MLS MVP |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-miami-s-lionel-messi-repeats-as-landon-donovan-mls-mvp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210113409/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-miami-s-lionel-messi-repeats-as-landon-donovan-mls-mvp |archive-date=10 December 2025 |access-date=10 December 2025 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live}}</ref> * Pichichi Trophy: 2009−10, 2011–12, 2012−13, 2016–17, 2017−18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21 * MLS Golden Boot: 2025<ref name="MLSMVP" /> * Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020,<ref name="Reuters" /> 2023<ref>{{Cite news |title=Laureus Sport Awards: Lionel Messi & Argentina World Cup team win Laureus awards |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/65528208 |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509010437/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/65528208 |url-status=live}}</ref> * IFFHS World's Best Player: 2022<ref>{{cite web|title=IFFHS AWARDS 2022 - MEN'S WORLD BEST PLAYER|url=https://iffhs.com/posts/2450|access-date=21 September 2025|website=IFFHS|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125082308/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/2450|url-status=live}}</ref> * ''TIME'' Athlete of the Year: 2023<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=5 December 2023 |title=Lionel Messi: Athlete of the Year 2023 |url=https://time.com/6342417/athlete-of-the-year-2023-lionel-messi/ |access-date=21 September 2025 |magazine=TIME |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207093708/https://time.com/6342417/athlete-of-the-year-2023-lionel-messi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020<ref>{{cite news |last=Crépin |first=Timothé |title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team: Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende ! |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |publisher=France Football |language=fr |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214151520/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |url-status=live}}</ref> * FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/lionel-messi-through-the-years-in-the-world-11 |title=Lionel Messi: World 11 through the years |publisher=FIFPRO |date=15 January 2024 |access-date=10 March 2024 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115205630/https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/lionel-messi-through-the-years-in-the-world-11 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-world-11-record-the-best |title=In focus: All Messi's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 inclusions |publisher=FIFA |date=15 January 2024 |access-date=17 June 2024 |archive-date=17 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617095601/https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-messi-world-11-record-the-best |url-status=live}}</ref> * Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Por segunda vez en la historia, el Olimpia de Oro fue compartido: Lionel Messi y Belén Casetta fueron galardonados por su 2023 |url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/segunda-vez-historia-olimpia-oro-compartido-lionel-messi-belen-casetta-galardonados-2023_0_Axogp5m7qI.html |website=Clarín |language=es |date=20 December 2023 |access-date=8 January 2024 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108173724/https://www.clarin.com/deportes/segunda-vez-historia-olimpia-oro-compartido-lionel-messi-belen-casetta-galardonados-2023_0_Axogp5m7qI.html |url-status=live}}</ref> * Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Honours" /><ref name="Reuters" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Belén Casetta compartió el Olimpia de Oro con Lionel Messi |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/espn-run/nota/_/id/13015543/belen-casetta-compartio-el-olimpia-de-oro-con-lionel-messi |language=es |access-date=21 December 2023 |publisher=ESPN Deportes |date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220182339/https://espndeportes.espn.com/espn-run/nota/_/id/13015543/belen-casetta-compartio-el-olimpia-de-oro-con-lionel-messi |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
'''Orders''' * 25px Creu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (30 April 2019)<ref>{{cite news |last=Tort| first=Àlex |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/fc-barcelona/20190430/461968491621/leo-messi-creu-de-sant-jordi-generalitat.html |language=es |date=30 April 2019| title=La Generalitat otorga la Creu de Sant Jordi a Messi| publisher=La Vanguardia| access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref> * 80px Presidential Medal of Freedom, United States (4 January 2025)<ref name="PMOF" /><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/43282285/magic-johnson-lionel-messi-receive-presidential-medal-freedom| date=4 January 2025| title=Magic Johnson, Lionel Messi get Presidential Medal of Freedom| publisher=ESPN| access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Association football|Argentina|Biography| }} {{div col}} * European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics * La Liga records and statistics * List of Argentina international footballers * List of association football rivalries * List of FC Barcelona players * List of FC Barcelona records and statistics * List of Paris Saint-Germain FC players * List of Inter Miami CF players * List of FIFA World Cup winning players * List of largest sports contracts * List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals * List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps * List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals * List of men's footballers with the most official appearances * List of players who have appeared in the most FIFA World Cups * List of top international men's football goalscorers by country {{div col end}}
==Notes== <templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-upper-alpha"><references group="upper-alpha" /></div> <templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-note"><references group="note" /></div> <templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-lower-greek"><references group="lower-greek" /></div>
==References== {{Reflist|20em}}
'''Works cited''' <templatestyles src="Refbegin/styles.css" /><div class="refbegin"> * {{cite book |title=Messi |last=Balagué |first=Guillem |author-link=Guillem Balagué |date=2013 |location=London |publisher=Orion Books |isbn=978-1-4091-4659-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/messibiography0000bala }} * {{cite book |title=Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend |last=Caioli |first=Luca |date=2012 |edition=3rd |location=London |publisher=Corinthian Books |isbn=978-1-906850-40-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/messiinsidestory0000caio_h6q9/ |url-access=registration}} * {{cite book |title=Messi: More than a Superstar |last=Caioli |first=Luca |edition=6th |date=2015 |location=London |publisher=Icon Books |isbn=978-1-906850-91-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/messimorethansup0000caio/ |url-access=registration}} * {{cite book |title=Messi |last=Caioli |first=Luca |edition=8th |date=2017 |location=London |publisher=Icon Books |isbn=978-1-78578-230-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/messi0000caio_c2o9/ |url-access=registration}} * {{cite book |title=Guinness World Records 2015 |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_f8z3 |url-access=registration |date=2014 |publisher=Guinness World Records |isbn=978-1-908843-65-4 |ref={{harvid|Guinness World Records|2014}}}} * {{cite book |title=Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World |last=Hunter |first=Graham |date=2012 |location=Glasgow |publisher=BackPage Press |isbn=978-0-9564971-8-5}} * {{cite book |title=A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010 |last=Lisi |first=Clemente Angelo |date=2011 |location=Lanham, MD |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7754-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofworldcu0000lisi_v7i5}}</div>
== External links == {{Sister project links|c=Category:Lionel Messi|b=no|d=yes|n=yes|s=no|v=no|wikt=no}} * {{Official website}} <!-- Per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only --> * [https://www.intermiamicf.com/players/lionel-messi/ Profile] at Inter Miami * [https://web.archive.org/web/20231129061932/https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/squad/lionel-messi Profile] at PSG * [https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi Profile] at FC Barcelona * [https://web.archive.org/web/20180719183842/http://www.laliga.es/en/player/messi Profile] at La Liga * [https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=lionel-andres-messi-cuccittini Profile] at Ligue 1 * [https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/lionel-messi/ Profile] at MLS * {{BDFutbol}} * {{Soccerbase}} * {{Soccerway|new_id=messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd|id=119|archive=20250326141741}} * {{NFT player}} * {{FIFA player}} * {{UEFA player}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{succession box|title=FC Barcelona captain|before=Andrés Iniesta|after= Sergio Busquets|years=2018–2021}} {{s-end}}{{Lionel Messi}}{{Inter Miami CF squad}} {{#invoke:navboxes|top | title = Argentina squads | bg = white | fg = #0074E7 | bordercolor = black }} {{Argentina squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}} {{Argentina squad 2007 Copa América}} {{Argentina men's football squad 2008 Summer Olympics}} {{Argentina squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}} {{Argentina squad 2011 Copa América}} {{Argentina squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}} {{Argentina squad 2015 Copa América}} {{Argentina squad Copa América Centenario}} {{Argentina squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}} {{Argentina squad 2019 Copa América}} {{Argentina squad 2021 Copa América}} {{Argentina squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}} {{Argentina squad 2024 Copa América}} {{Argentina squad 2026 FIFA World Cup}} {{#invoke:navboxes|bottom}} {{#invoke:navboxes|top | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy }} {{2014 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}} {{2007 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} {{2011 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} {{2015 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} {{Copa América Centenario Team of the Tournament}} {{2021 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} {{2024 Copa América Team of the Tournament}} {{FIFA World Cup Golden Ball}} {{Copa América top scorers}} {{Copa América MVP}} {{FIFA U-20 World Cup awards}} {{Ballon d'Or recipients}} {{FIFA Player of the Year}} {{FourFourTwo player of the year}} {{Globe Soccer Awards best Player}} {{IFFHS World's Best Player}} {{IFFHS World's Best Playmaker}} {{IFFHS World's Best Top Goal Scorer}} {{IFFHS World's Best International Top Goal Scorer}} {{IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer}} {{FIFPro awards}} {{Onze Mondial European Footballer of the Year}} {{UEFA Club Footballer of the Year}} {{UEFA Men's Player of the Year}} {{UEFA Club Football Awards}} {{Argentine Footballer of the Year}} {{Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano}} {{La Liga Best Player of the Year}} {{La Liga Foreign Player of the Year}} {{La Liga Forward of the Year}} {{Trofeo EFE}} {{Major League Soccer MVP Award}} {{Golden Boy award winners}} {{Bravo award winners}} {{FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}} {{European Golden Shoe}} {{UEFA Champions League top scorers}} {{La Liga top scorers}} {{Major League Soccer top scorers}} {{FIFA Club World Cup top scorers}} {{Copa del Rey top scorers}} {{Leagues Cup top scorers}} {{2007 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2008 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2009 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2010 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2011 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2012 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2013 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2014 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2015 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2016 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2017 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2018 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2019 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2020 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2021 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2022 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2023 FIFA FIFPRO World 11}} {{2008 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2009 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2010 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2011 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2012 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2014 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2015 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2016 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2017 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2018 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2019 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2020 UEFA Team of the Year}} {{2025 South American Team of the Year}} {{2014–15 La Liga Team of the Year}} {{2015–16 La Liga Team of the Year}} {{2022–23 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}} {{2024 MLS Best XI}} {{2025 MLS Best XI}} {{Sports Illustrated Soccer 2000s All-Decade Team}} {{UEFA All-time XI}} {{Ballon d'Or Dream Team}} {{IFFHS All-time Men's World Dream Team}} {{IFFHS All-time Men's South American Dream Team}} {{IFFHS World's Man Team of the Decade 2011–2020}} {{Trofeo Aldo Rovira}} {{Premi Barça Jugadors}} {{Laureus World Sportsman of the Year}} {{BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year}} {{SN Sportsman of the Year}} {{L'Équipe Champion of Champions}} {{ESPY International Athlete}} {{#invoke:navboxes|bottom}} {{Notable people from Rosario}} {{#invoke:Authority control|authorityControl}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Messi, Lionel}} Category:Lionel Messi Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Roman Catholics Category:21st-century Argentine sportsmen Category:21st-century Roman Catholics Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players Category:2007 Copa América players Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players Category:2011 Copa América players Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players Category:2015 Copa América players Category:Copa América Centenario players Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players Category:2019 Copa América players Category:2021 Copa América players Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players Category:2024 Copa América players Category:2026 FIFA World Cup players Category:Argentina men's international footballers Category:Argentina men's under-20 international footballers Category:Argentina men's youth international footballers Category:Argentine emigrants to Spain Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in France Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Argentine fraudsters Category:Argentine men's footballers Category:Argentine people of Catalan descent Category:Argentine sportspeople convicted of crimes Category:Argentine people of Italian descent Category:Sportspeople of Italian descent Category:Argentine people of Spanish descent Category:Sportspeople of Spanish descent Category:Argentine philanthropists Category:Argentine Roman Catholics Category:Ballon d'Or winners Category:Copa América–winning players Category:Designated Players (MLS) Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:FC Barcelona players Category:FC Barcelona Atlètic players Category:FC Barcelona C players Category:FIFA Men's Century Club Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics Category:Footballers from Barcelona Category:Footballers from Rosario, Santa Fe Category:Golden Boy winners Category:Inter Miami CF players Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners Category:La Liga players Category:Ligue 1 players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Naturalised citizens of Spain Category:Olympic footballers for Argentina Category:Olympic gold medalists for Argentina Category:Olympic medalists in football Category:Paris Saint-Germain FC players Category:People convicted of fraud Category:People convicted of tax crimes Category:People named in the Panama Papers Category:Pichichi Trophy winners Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Category:Segunda División B players Category:Tercera División players Category:The Best FIFA Men's Player winners Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players Category:UEFA Champions League top scorers Category:UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award winners Category:UNICEF goodwill ambassadors Category:World record holders Category:Guinness World Records holders Category:Argentine billionaires Category:Argentine football chairmen and investors