Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is recognized as one of the most accomplished footballers in the history of the sport, with a career defined by record-setting achievements, trophies, and individual honors. Messi holds eight Ballon d'Or awards as the world's top male player and has scored more than 910 goals for club and country. He is the first and only player to win five and six European Golden Shoes. Over his career, Messi has won 44 senior trophies.

Messi's early career was shaped by a significant personal challenge. He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, a rare health condition that required nightly hormone injections. The cost of treatment was prohibitive for his family, but FC Barcelona offered Messi a place in their youth team and covered his medical expenses. Messi has discussed this period in the biography "Messi: The Must-Read Biography of the World Cup Champion."

At 17, Messi made his senior debut for FC Barcelona and became a key player for the club. During his 17-year tenure, he contributed to 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, and seven Copa del Rey trophies. Messi scored 73 goals in a single season for FC Barcelona, breaking a long-standing record for single-season goals in a major European football league. He holds the record for most goals in La Liga with 474 and has the most official recorded assists in football history with 414.

Internationally, Messi played a pivotal role in Argentina's FIFA World Cup victory, earning the Golden Ball as the competition's best player. He is the only player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball twice. Messi has scored 103 goals in 175 appearances for the Argentina national team and was part of the under-23 squad that won Olympic gold at the Beijing Games. In 2026, he made history during Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoring a hat-trick.

After his time with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi joined Major League Soccer with Inter Miami CF. He has served as captain and was named MLS MVP. Messi helped the club secure its first two titles, the Leagues Cup and the Supporters' Shield, and set a record as the fastest player to reach 40 goals in MLS history. He also received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, recognizing his athletic achievements. Messi's career, marked by resilience and consistent excellence, continues to influence global football and inspire athletes worldwide.