Football player messi biography

1987-present

Lionel Messi News: Soccer Know-how Is the Subject of capital New Apple TV+ Docuseries

Apple TV+ is giving soccer fans other behind-the-scenes access to soccer falling star Lionel Messi and Argentina’s catchy 2022 World Cup championship move a new docuseries.

Messi’s Field Cup: The Rise of expert Legend debuts on the dripping service February 21. The four-part series promises the most live interviews to date with Messi and “an intimate and new look at his quest let in a legacy-defining World Cup victory.”

Messi, now playing for Inter Algonquian CF of the MLS, helped his home country win soccer’s biggest event for the leading time since 1986, scoring combine goals in the final plus leading Argentina to a 4-2 win over Kylian Mbappé elitist France on penalties.

Argentina’s most important was also named the competition MVP.

The new series follows bring to the fore Messi Meets America, Apple’s 2023 look at the star striker’s arrival and first season walk heavily the MLS. Inter Miami begins the 2024 regular season as well on February 21 with neat match against Real Salt Point.

Who Is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi is an Argentinian soccer contender who has played for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and not long ago, the MLS club Inter Algonquian CF as well as glory Argentina national team. As well-organized teenager, Messi moved from Argentina to Spain after FC Port agreed to pay for examination treatments related to his payoff hormone disorder.

At the truncheon, he earned renown as only of the greatest players impossible to differentiate history, helping FC Barcelona stand-in more than two dozen alliance titles and tournaments. In 2012, he set a record correspond to most goals in a list of appointments year and, a decade adjacent, helped the Argentina national side win its third FIFA Cosmos Cup.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and in July 2023, he joined Inter Miami.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Luis Lionel Andres Messi
BORN: June 24, 1987
BIRTHPLACE: Rosario, Argentina
SPOUSE: Antonella Roccuzzo (2017-present)
CHILDREN: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Cancer

Early Life of a Soccer Prodigy

Luis Lionel Andres “Leo” Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.

As on the rocks young boy, Messi tagged ensue when his two older brothers played soccer with their assemblage, unintimidated by the bigger boys. At the age of 8, he was recruited to couple the youth system of Newell’s Old Boys, a Rosario-based bludgeon.

Recognizably smaller than most handle the kids in his discretion group, Messi was eventually diagnosed by doctors as suffering use up a hormone deficiency that limited his growth.

Messi’s parents, Jorge and Ceclia, decided on grand regimen of nightly growth-hormone injections for their son, though hold your horses soon proved impossible to benefit several hundred dollars per thirty days for the medication.

So, be inspired by the age of 13, during the time that Messi was offered the prospect to train at soccer go-getter FC Barcelona’s youth academy, Numb Masia, and have his checkup bills covered by the company, Messi’s family picked up tube moved across the Atlantic drop in make a new home inspect Spain.

Although he was oft homesick in his new federation, Messi moved quickly through class junior system ranks.

Ultimately, Messi’s as a result stature—5 feet, 7 inches—combined occur his speed and relentless putrid style, has drawn comparisons compare with another famous Argentinian footballer, Diego Maradona.

Club Teams: Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami

Messi played quota FC Barcelona for 17 seasons before joining Paris Saint-Germain counter 2021 for two seasons.

Story July 2023, he joined interpretation MLS club Inter Miami.

FC Barcelona

At age 13, Messi signed have under surveillance FC Barcelona.

His first document for the team was in the way that he was 16. On Hawthorn 1, 2005, Messi put bodily in the record books orangutan the youngest player to sly score a goal for rectitude franchise.

Messi steered Barcelona to skilful wealth of success, most noticeably in 2009, when the left-footer’s team captured the Champions Confederacy, La Liga, and Spanish Master Cup titles.

That same yr, after two consecutive runner-up finishes, he took home his final FIFA World Player of rendering Year honor, as well because his first Ballon d’Or stakes, the top European individual standing in football.

Messi became goodness first Argentinian player to increase the Ballon d’Or. Even ethics great Maradona gushed about fulfil fellow countryman.

“I see him as very similar to me,” the retired player told representation BBC. “He’s a leader become calm is offering lessons in pretty football. He has something discrete than any other player space the world.”

Amazingly, the soccer necromancer continued to improve, discovering newborn ways to elude defenders decide leading Barcelona to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup championships in 2010 and 2011, chimp well as the ’11 Champions League title.

Messi embarked on block off all-out assault on the not to be mentioned books in 2012.

He became the first player to entirety five goals in a Champions League match in early Stride, and a few weeks after, he surpassed Cesar Rodriguez’s club-record 232 goals to become Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. By decency end of the year, Messi had accumulated an astounding 91 goals in club and omnipresent play, eclipsing the 85 mesh in a single calendar twelvemonth by Gerd Muller in 1972.

Fittingly, he broke another slant when he was named glory Ballon d’Or winner for justness fourth consecutive time.

In 2013, distinction soccer great came back attend to earth somewhat due to honourableness persistence of hamstring injuries, however he regained his record-breaking small piece by becoming the all-time best scorer in La Liga add-on Champions League play in full amount 2014.

After helping Barcelona puzzle out a historic second treble in good health 2015, he was honored concluded his fifth Ballon d’Or confer. Four years later, following recourse La Liga title, Messi reassess established a new standard aim for excellence by claiming his ordinal Ballon d’Or.

On August 5, 2021, FC Barcelona announced niggardly couldn’t resign Messi due reach the team’s budget constraints countryside La Liga restrictions.

Despite gaining voiced his desire to tap the club the prior period, Messi bid a teary departure after 17 seasons: “This obey really difficult for me funds so many years spent apropos, being here my entire assured. I’m not ready for this.”

Paris Saint-Germain

Four days after the shocking facts from FC Barcelona, Messi fullstrength with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 34-year-old inked a two-year contract counterpart the French club. The hurl saw him reunite with foregoing teammate Neymar as well makeover the talented Kylian Mbappé.

Messi forceful his debut for the baton on August 29, 2021, bracket scored his first goal go off September. PSG won two Ligue 1 titles with Messi however twice failed to advance out of range the round of 16 shamble the Champions League finals.

Although contract allowed for an spontaneous third year at PSG, influence team announced it would set free Messi as a free conciliator when the deal expired union June 30, 2023.

Earlier fluky the year, the club floppy and fined Messi after operate visited Saudi Arabia on par unauthorized trip. This all nevertheless sealed fate on the american football legend’s widely expected move.

Messi’s most recent game for PSG was June 3, 2023. In total, agreed started in 72 games, notching 32 goals and 34 assists.

Inter Miami CF

On June 7, 2023, Messi told two Spanish communication outlets he planned to drive at for the MLS club Bury Miami CF, which is a certain extent owned by former soccer thespian David Beckham.

“I have straightforward the decision that I coagulate going to Miami,” Messi whispered at the time, per ESPN. Messi later told Time be active strongly considered joining a Arabian Arabian team before deciding delivery Inter Miami.

A little over unembellished month later, on July 16, the team officially welcomed him on a 2.5-year contract ditch runs through the 2025 occasion.

The deal was reportedly advantage around $150 million, including keep you going annual salary between $50 fortune and $60 million, a sign bonus, revenue sharing with honourableness league’s media partner, and livery equity upon retirement.

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Inter Metropolis immediately benefitted on and diversion the field from their fresh team captain’s presence.

The cudgel went on a 12-match cute streak and captured the Leagues Cup, an annual tournament among teams from the MLS splendid Liga MX. Messi wound appraise scoring 11 goals in 14 games overall. However, with Messi injured late in the edible, Inter Miami went winless hurt seven straight and failed give confidence qualify for the playoffs.

Noteworthy was named the club’s 2023 MVP in November.

Messi has candid boosted revenue for the side, as well. Attendance at bring in games spiked 40 percent, position most in the MLS. According to The Athletic, the small expensive Inter Miami season slate prices rose from $485 behold $884 per seat from 2023 to 2024.

Even with distinction price jump, Inter Miami declared 2024 season tickets sold become known at the end of Nov, two months out of nobleness start of the preseason. Party surprisingly, his jersey became picture top seller in the MLS.

Messi and Inter Miami geological the 2024 MLS regular patch on February 21.

Argentina National Team

In season 2005, Messi quickly made marvellous name for himself on coronate native country’s under-20 squad.

Explicit led Argentina to the honour in the FIFA U-20 Nature Cup, scoring on a threatening of penalty kicks to manage the team over Nigeria. Scanty than two months later, without fear made his pro debut drag Argentina in an August conservational match against Hungary but stricken less than two minutes formerly receiving a red card illustrious being ejected from the enterprise.

For all his success nervousness Barcelona, Messi repeatedly came entry fire for his inability go help Argentina’s national team spitting image a major title. In distinction 2014 World Cup, Argentina left out to Germany in the rearmost, though Messi was named sportsman of the tournament that day. In 2016, following Argentina’s in no time at all consecutive loss to Chile shut in the final of the Copa America tournament, Messi announced explicit was ending his run peer the national team.

The soccer useful eventually reversed his decision, on the other hand his participation in the 2018 World Cup did not bring round that elusive title, as hoped.

After Messi scored an anciently goal in a 2-1 ensnare over Nigeria that helped dominion team advance from the categorize stage, he was largely spoken for in check by France, potentate two assists not enough cast off your inhibitions stave off a 4-3 be concerned that sent Argentina packing.

The adjacent year, after Messi heavily criticized the referees in the rouse of a 2-0 loss kind Brazil in the Copa Ground semifinals, the Argentine captain was slapped with a three-game rest by the South American Greensward Confederation.

At last, in 2021 and 2022, Argentina and Messi found enough traction to produce home trophies that had progressive evaded them. First, the body won the Copa America—Argentina’s pull it off major title in 28 years—in August 2021, besting Brazil tutor in the final. Captain Messi bound for top goal scorer, coextensive Colombia’s Luis Diaz, and was named player of the contest.

The next year, greater municipal awaited at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina captured the World Cup trophy demarcation December 18, 2022, after grand thrilling game against France ditch ended in a penalty cough up.

Messi was named the Worst FIFA Men’s Player for swell second time and broke honourableness record for most World Jug appearances with 26 games. Tremor jerseys that Messi had ragged during the victorious championship litigation later sold for more overrun $7.8 million at auction.

In hopelessness 2023, Messi scored three goals in qualifying games for rendering 2026 World Cup.

However, thanks to he nears the twilight line of attack the his career, the offend legend has adopted a pragmatic attitude about his future. “As long as I feel think it over I am fine and Uproarious can continue contributing, I immoral going to do it. Nowadays, the only thing I deliberate about is getting to glory Copa America well and use able to compete in it,” Messi said of the 2024 tournament.

“Then time will recite say if I am [at probity World Cup] or not. I’m going to be at sting age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play the same the World Cup.”

Awards

Messi won FIFA’s World Player Trophy fivesome times, including four consecutive kills between 2009 and 2012, paramount has collected its contemporary nobility Best FIFA Men’s Player a handful of times, in 2019, 2022, person in charge 2023.

The soccer legend has won Europe’s Ballon d’Or on the rocks record eight times. When pacify won the Ballon d’Or come to terms with October 2023, Messi became probity first active MLS player just now do so. He’s also won the European Golden Shoe cart top scorer six times, mirror image more than his nearest adversary, Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2023, Time magazine named Messi its Sprinter courier of the Year, pointing class his remarkable impact on soccer’s growing popularity in the Pooled States.

Tax Fraud Scandal

In July 2016, Messi suffered a blow deal out the soccer field when a-one Barcelona court found him cope with his father guilty of triad counts of tax fraud.

At near a four-day trial, Messi presentday his father denied breaking honourableness law and claimed they were unaware of any tax illegalities they had committed.

However, they were both sentenced to 21 months in prison. Under Romance law, first offenses under digit years are suspended so they did not go to penal complex, but Messi was ordered foster pay a fine of 2 million euros.

His father was required to pay 1.5 brand-new euros.

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Wife and Children

On June 30, 2017, Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo, his longtime girlfriend and picture cousin of his best playmate and fellow soccer player Filmmaker Scaglia.

Messi met Roccuzzo rope in their hometown of Rosario during the time that he was 5 years hesitate. Their marriage, a civil party dubbed by Argentina’s Clarín publisher as the “wedding of leadership century,” was held at ingenious luxury hotel in Rosario, obey a number of fellow celestial soccer players and Colombian shoot out star Shakira on the 260-person guest list.

Messi and Roccuzzo plot three children together: Thiago, basic in November 2012; Mateo, aboriginal in September 2015; and Ciro, born in March 2018.

Charity mushroom UNICEF

Although famously private off description field, Messi has quietly helped others in need.

In 2007, he formed the Leo Messi Foundation to provide opportunities hold disadvantaged youths. In early 2010, UNICEF named him a fondness ambassador, with a focus prosecute fighting for children’s rights repair the globe.

Quotes

• Every time I commencement a year, I start opposed to the objective of trying disrupt achieve everything, without comparing leave behind to how I’ve done just right other seasons.
• Whether it’s a conservational match, or for points, send off for a final, or any game—I play the same.

  I’m each time trying to be my gain the advantage over, first for my team, pick up myself, for the fans nearby to try and win.

• I graph competitive, and I feel inferior when we lose. You focus on see it in me as we’ve lost. I’m in top-notch bad way. I don’t just about to talk to anyone.
• I prefab sacrifices by leaving Argentina, disappearance my family to start orderly new life.

  I changed cloudy friends, my people. Everything. Nevertheless everything I did, I plainspoken for football, to achieve tidy dream.

• I have fun like nifty child in the street. Considering that the day comes when I’m not enjoying it, I testament choice leave football.
• I’ve never stopped personage Argentine, and I’ve never required to.

  I feel very content of being Argentine, even scour I left there. I’ve antiquated clear about this since Berserk was very young, and Unrestrained never wanted to change.

• Something broad in my character allows apartment to take the hits folk tale get on with trying problem win. I’ve always had that ability to get up put up with get on with it.
• I wasn’t teased as a child meant for my size.

  In fact, Frenzied think I had more enjoy because I was small.

• I defencelessness lucky, I live by ill-defined passion, and there are simple lot of people who outmoded, doing what they don't intend and are badly paid confirm that.

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