Lionel Messi is an Argentine former professional footballer who is regarded as one of the world’s greatest players in football history. He is the first player in history to have won five FIFA Ballons d’Or and the first to win three European Golden Shoes. During his playing career, he set several world records, including the most goals scored in La Liga, a La Liga season (50), a calendar year (91), a single season (73), and a Champions League match (5). Born into a football-loving family in central Argentina, he acquired a love for the game at a young age and spent his youth playing with his siblings.
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Childhood & Early Years
Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini gave birth to Lionel Messi in Rosario, Santa Fe Province. He has three siblings: two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and one sister, Maria Sol. His father was a manufacturing steel worker, while his mother worked part-time as a cleaner.
At the age of five, Messi began playing for the Grandoli, a local team coached by his father. By the age of eight, he was playing with Newell’s Old Boys. The group was extremely talented, as evidenced by the fact that they only lost one match over the following four years. The squad became known as ‘The Machine of ’87’ because to their unwavering enthusiasm and talent for the game.
Unfortunately, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficit at the age of eleven. Despite his enormous skill, he was not provided assistance by the local teams, which refused to pay for his therapy.
At this point, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sports director, stepped in to help. He pledged to pay Messi’s medical costs if he went to Spain. Messi joined at the Barcelona youth academy.
Lionel Messi Age and Height
Lionel Messi was born on 24 June, 1987 and his age is 35 years. Lionel Messi is of a short stature and is 1.70 meters tall (5 ft 7 in).
| Height | 5 ft 7 in / 170 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 148 lb / 67 kg |
Body size
| Breast/Bust size | – |
|---|---|
| Waist size | – |
| Hips size | – |
| Dress Size | – |
| Shoe (Feet) Size | 10 (US) |
Appearance
| Hair Color | Dark brown |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Nationality | Argentinean |
| Race / ethnicity | Latino |
Lionel Messi’s Family
- Parents: Jorge Messi (father) and Celia María Cuccittini
- Siblings: Rodrigo (elder brother), Matías (elder brother), and María Sol (younger sister).
- Wife: Antonella Roccuzzo
- Children: Thiago, Mateo, Ciro
- Prior to his marriage to Antonella Roccuzzo, Messi had several love relationships. He was originally associated with Macarena Lemos, a female from his hometown Rosario, whom Messi’s father introduced him to when the former was recovering from an injury prior to the 2006 World Cup.
- He is claimed to have had a romantic relationship with Argentine beauty model Luciana Salazar.
- Messi was first spotted with his wife Roccuzzo at a fiesta in Sitges following the Barcelona-Espanyol match.
- Roccuzzo, a Rosario native, gave birth to their first child, Thiago, on November 2, 2012, and their second, Mateo, on September 11, 2015.
- After several years in a relationship with Roccuzzo, he married.
Career
- Messi’s career began in 2000, when he played in the youth system tiers. Within a short period of time, he became the only player to play for five different teams.
- Messi’s talent was evident as he swiftly progressed through the youth system tiers before making his league debut on October 16, 2004 against RCD Espanyol.
- His first goal came the next year, on May 1, 2005, against Albacete. He made history by being the youngest player to score in a La Liga game for Barcelona.
- He gained Spanish citizenship in September 2005, allowing Messi to make his Championship League debut.
- Messi’s first Champions League match came against Italian team Udinese. Despite coming on as a replacement, he and Ronaldinho played fantastic soccer, with the two having excellent synergy when it came to passing and receiving the ball.
Philanthropic Works
In 2007, Messi founded the Leo Messi Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving underprivileged children’s access to education and healthcare. This was a response to Messi’s childhood medical issues. The organization seeks to provide cash for children with diseases that require treatment in Spain, including transportation, hospitalization, and recovery fees. The majority of the monies raised by the group are via Messi’s personal efforts, with a little contribution from Herbalife.
Messi was UNICEF’s goodwill ambassador in 2010. He worked to protect children’s rights.
Awards and Achievements
Messi’s on-field prowess has been recognized across the world via countless accolades, honors, and achievements. Messi has won the coveted Ballon d’Or five times. He has won it five times: in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.
Messi has won several young player of the year accolades. Some of them are World Soccer Young Player of the Year, FIFPro World Young Player of the Year, and Copa América Young Player of the Tournament.
Messi has received 20 Player of the Year awards, including FIFA World Player of the Year (1), World Soccer Player of the Year (3), Goal.com Player of the Year (2), UEFA Best Player in Europe (1), UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1), FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament (1), La Liga Player of the Year (3), La Liga Foreign Player of the Year (3), and La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year (5).
Messi has been named the greatest striker on multiple times due to his ability to direct the ball into the net. Some of these are IFFHS World’s Best Top Division Goal Scorer, IFFHS World’s Top Goal Scorer, UEFA Champions League Top Goalscorer, and FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Lionel Messi Salary and Net worth
Messi is one of the most famous footballers in the world. He has been a very successful brand ambassador, notably for the apparel company Adidas, in addition to earning one of the two highest player salaries in all professional sports, along with Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi’s salary is almost $75 million USD. Lionel Messi’s estimated net worth is $620 million USD, making him the world’s richest player.
