Footballer Lionel Messi

Footballer Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is one of the most successful footballers of all time. He has won countless awards and holds numerous records. But what is the story behind this incredible athlete?

Read on to find out more about Footballer Lionel Messi’s early life, his start in football, and his many accomplishments.

 

Early Life and Education

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. He began playing football at a young age and his talent was quickly recognized by the local club Newell’s Old Boys.

At age 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency and his family moved to Barcelona, Spain so he could receive treatment.

Messi joined the youth academy of Barcelona club FC Barcelona at age 13. He quickly progressed through the ranks and made his debut for the senior team in 2004. He has since established himself as one of the best players in the world, winning numerous individual and team awards.

Messi’s success on the football field has been matched by his charitable work off it. He founded the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007 to help children in need around the world.

 

Start of career

Lionel Messi started his football career at a very young age. He was just four years old when he joined the local club, Newell’s Old Boys.
It was evident from an early age that he had great potential and natural talent for the game. He quickly began to stand out from other players his age and was soon playing in matches against older children.

At the age of 10, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. This meant that he would need regular treatment in order to improve his height. His family was not able to afford the cost of this treatment, so Barcelona stepped in and offered to pay for it.

This proved to be a pivotal moment in Messi’s career, as it allowed him to continue to develop as a footballer without any financial barriers.

Messi made his debut for Barcelona’s first team in 2004, at the age of just 17. He went on to score his first senior goal for the club against Albacete in May 2005.

Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won numerous individual and team accolades, including 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles.

 

Peak of career

Messi’s individual accomplishments began to accumulate rapidly from 2009 onwards. In that year, he won his first FIFA Ballon d’Or and was named FWA Footballer of the Year. He followed this up with another Ballon d’Or in 2010, becoming the first player to win the award twice.

In 2011, Messi scored a record-breaking 73 goals in all competitions, helping Barcelona win La Liga for the third consecutive year.

The following year, 2012, was arguably Messi’s best yet. He set a new Spanish record for most goals scored in a single season (50), while also winning his fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or.

He also led Barcelona to victory in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, thus becoming the only player ever to win four major club trophies in a single year.

Messi’s achievements show no signs of slowing down. In 2013, he became Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer; in 2014, he won his fifth Ballon d’Or; and in 2015, he helped Barcelona win their second consecutive treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League).

There is no doubt that Lionel Messi is currently enjoying the peak of his career. At just 28 years of age, he has already achieved more than most players could ever dream of achieving.

With still many years left to play, there is no telling how much further he will go or how many more records he will break.

 

Accomplishments

Lionel Messi has enjoyed a hugely successful career, both at the club and international levels.

At the club level, Messi has won 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles with Barcelona. He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Barcelona, having scored 552 goals in 632 appearances.

At the international level, Messi has helped Argentina win the Copa America twice, as well as reaching the final of the 2014 World Cup. He also won Olympic Gold with Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Games.

At the international level, Messi has helped Argentina win the Copa America twice, as well as reaching the final of the 2014 World Cup. He also won Olympic Gold with Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Games.

 

Awards and records

Lionel Messi has won numerous individual and team accolades throughout his career so far.

At the club level, he has won 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles with Barcelona. He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Barcelona, having scored 552 goals in 632 appearances.

In addition, he holds the record for most goals scored in a single season in La Liga (50), as well as being the only player to score in all six group stage games in a Champions League campaign (2017/18).

Messi has also been named FIFA World Player of the Year on five occasions, winning the award four times in succession between 2009 and 2012.

He has also won the Ballon d’Or a record-breaking five times. In 2012, he was voted by fans as UEFA’s best player of the past decade (2000–2010).