Lionel Andrés Messi

full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
bio: Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Born in Argentina, he captained his country to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards. He currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
also known as: Leo, La Pulga Atomica (The Atomic Flea)
born: 24 June 1987, in Rosario, Argentina
family: His parents are Jorge Horacio Messi ( was a factory worker) and Celia María Cuccittini (was a part-time cleaner). He has two older brothers Rodrigo and Matías and a sister Maria Sol. He is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, with whom he has three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
nationality: Argentinian
physical: Height: 1.69 m (5 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
Weight: 67kg
sport: Football or Soccer
teams / clubs: Barcelona (2004–2021), Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (2021–2023), Inter Miami (2023–present). In October 2025 he signed a contract extension keeping him at Inter Miami through 2028.
position: Forward
foot: left
jersey number: 10 (at Inter Miami and for Argentina; he wore 30 at Paris Saint-Germain)
achievements:
  • Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or award a record eight times: in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 & 2023. This remains a record (Rodri won in 2024 and Ousmane Dembélé in 2025).
  • Won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022 (Qatar), beating France in the final after a 3–3 draw and a 4–2 penalty shoot-out.
  • Named the best player (Golden Ball) at both the 2014 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup — the first player to win the award twice.
  • Won the FIFA world player award (now called The Best FIFA Men's Player) in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022 & 2023.
  • Copa América champion with Argentina in 2021 and 2024, and winner of the 2022 Finalissima against Italy.
  • Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in 2020 and 2023.
  • With Inter Miami: He won the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield; named MLS Most Valuable Player in 2024 and 2025 and won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot.
  • Won the L'Équipe Champion of Champions award in 2011.
  • At the 2026 World Cup (hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA), he led defending champions Argentina to the final against Spain, scheduled for 19 July 2026.
what you may not know:
  • At the age of five, Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge.
  • He was diagnosed with a growth deficiency at 11, requiring growth hormone injections.
  • He is featured on the front cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.
  • His debut with the Argentinian national team (against Hungary) was a disaster: he entered the game in the 18th minute of the second half, and 47 seconds later was sent off!
  • He made his La Liga debut for Barcelona against Espanyol when he was 17 years old
  • He is Barcelona's and La Liga's all-time top goalscorer, and Argentina's record scorer and most-capped player.