Lionel Messi is one of the greatest legends in global football. Not only does he represent success in sports, but he is also an ideal model of a fulfilled family life. Join JiLi77 to discover more about the life and career of this legend in the following article!
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Key facts you need to know about Lionel Messi
His full name is Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, born on June 24, 1987. Lionel Messi is an Argentine football player currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
With more than two decades devoted to the sport, Messi has amassed a vast collection of individual and team honors. Among his most notable achievements is the unprecedented record of being the first and only player to win seven Ballon d’Or awards. Additionally, he has won numerous prestigious titles with his former club, Barcelona.
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A glimpse into Messi’s life
At the age of 5, Lionel Messi began his football career with Grandoli, a local team managed by his father. At 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Although River Plate showed interest, they could not afford his medical expenses.
Fortunately, Carles Rexach, Barcelona’s sporting director, recognized Messi’s talent. Consequently, Barcelona signed him after witnessing his impressive performances. The club also agreed to cover his treatment expenses and assured employment for his family if they relocated to Spain.
On December 14, 2000, Messi’s family moved to Europe, and he began playing for Barcelona’s youth team. Currently, Messi is a forward for Argentina’s national football team and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
An overview of Messi’s career
Almost entirely devoted to Barcelona, Lionel Messi may have moved to a new club, but his achievements are staggering. He won a total of 34 titles with Barca, including 10 La Liga championships, 7 Copa del Rey, and 4 UEFA Champions League titles. Additionally, Messi holds records as the top scorer in La Liga (474 goals), the highest number of goals in a La Liga season (50), and the most hat-tricks in La Liga (36).
However, in his international career, he seemed to be followed by misfortune. Lionel Messi reached the finals of major tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America four times, yet each time had to watch his opponents lift the trophy. It wasn’t until Copa America 2021, when Argentina defeated Brazil in the final, that Messi finally celebrated victory.
After officially parting ways with Barcelona, Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract. However, the rapid change in football environments seemed to impact El Pulga’s adaptation. After 10 matches in Ligue 1, Messi scored only 1 goal. Nevertheless, in the UEFA Champions League, he scored 5 goals in 5 matches, an impressive achievement.
Highlights of Lionel Messi’s individual accolades
Throughout his career, Lionel Messi has won numerous impressive individual awards. The following list summarizes the prestigious honors he has achieved since his debut:
- Winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar allowed Messi to surpass Kylian Mbappe and become the world’s best player in 2022, receiving 76% of votes from The Guardian.
- He was named the best player of Copa America 2021 after leading Argentina to the championship.
- Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or seven times, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.
- He also holds the prestigious European Golden Shoe award for the seasons 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019.
- Furthermore, Messi has received the UEFA Best Player award three times, along with the FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Shoe and the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi is an unforgettable legend in the history of world football. He has won the hearts of millions of fans thanks to his outstanding career and extraordinary determination.