Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, he joined FC Barcelona at age 13, where he spent over 20 years, winning numerous titles and setting records for goals scored. Known for his exceptional dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability, Messi has won multiple Ballon d’Or awards. In 2021, he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Messi has also led Argentina to victories in international competitions, including the Copa América in 2021.
30 Interesting Facts about Lionel Messi
1. Early Start: Messi started playing football at a very young age, joining his first club, Grandoli, when he was just 4 years old.
2. Growth Hormone Deficiency: Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 10, which required expensive medical treatments.
3. FC Barcelona: At age 13, Messi moved from Argentina to Spain to join FC Barcelona, who agreed to pay for his medical treatment.
4. Debut: He made his official debut for Barcelona’s first team in 2004 at the age of 17.
5. Youngest Goal Scorer: Messi became the youngest player to score a goal for Barcelona in a La Liga game at 17 years, 10 months, and 7 days.
6. Record Goalscorer: He holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, netting 91 goals in 2012.
7. Ballon d’Or Wins: Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award multiple times, first receiving it in 2009.
8. La Liga Records: He is the all-time top scorer in La Liga history.
9. International Career: Messi has represented Argentina in multiple World Cups and Copa América tournaments, winning the Copa América in 2021.
10. Olympic Gold: Messi won an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2008.
11. Contract on a Napkin: Messi’s first contract with Barcelona was written on a napkin because the club’s technical director wanted to secure him quickly.
12. Charity Work: Messi is heavily involved in charity work, including his own foundation which focuses on education and health for children.
13. Tax Issues: Messi has had legal troubles, including a high-profile tax fraud case in Spain, for which he was convicted in 2016.
14. Family Man: Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, and they have three sons: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
15. FIFA World Player of the Year: Messi won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009, and he continued to collect awards thereafter.
16. Individual Accolades: He has won numerous individual accolades, including the Golden Foot and UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
17. Dribbling Skills: Messi is renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills, often compared to legends like Diego Maradona.
18. Free-Kick Specialist: Over his career, Messi has developed into one of the best free-kick takers in football.
19. Club Loyalty: Messi spent over 20 years with Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021.
20. Goal Celebrations: Messi’s goal celebrations are often simple, like pointing to the sky, in tribute to his grandmother.
21. Number 10: He is famous for wearing the number 10 jersey, following in the footsteps of other football legends.
22. Record Titles with Barcelona: Messi won numerous titles with Barcelona, including multiple La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League titles.
23. First Hat-Trick: He scored his first hat-trick for Barcelona in 2007 against Real Madrid.
24. Social Media: Messi has a massive social media following, with millions of fans across platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
25. Height: Despite his shorter stature (5’7″), Messi’s low center of gravity gives him an advantage in agility and balance.
26. Teammate Praise: Many of his teammates and rivals regard him as the best player they have ever seen.
27. Video Game Icon: Messi has been featured on the cover of numerous FIFA video games.
28. Financial Success: He is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with substantial earnings from salary and endorsements.
29. Philanthropy: Messi has donated millions to UNICEF and other charities over the years.
30. Language Barrier: Despite spending most of his life in Spain, Messi is not known for being fluent in Spanish and often gives interviews in his native Argentine Spanish.