Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history. In 2025, the IFFHS named him the ‘All-Time Men’s World Best Player.’ He is known for his extraordinary talent, record-breaking achievements, and humble nature.
Messi holds the records for the most goals scored (125) and the most matches played (207) for the Argentine national team. In 2025, U.S. President Joe Biden awarded him the ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom.’
Lionel Messi Biography
| Full Name | Lionel Andress Messi |
| Nickname | Lionel Messi |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Date of Birth | 24 June 1987 |
| Age | 39 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Coach | Salvador Aparicio Frank Rijkaard Pep Guardiola |
| @leomessi |
Early Life
Lionel Messi (Lionel Andrés Messi) was born on June 24, 1987, in the city of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, and his zodiac sign is Cancer. Growing up in a close-knit family that loved football, “Leo” developed a passion for the sport at an early age; he used to play football with his older brother and cousins.
At the age of four, he joined the local football club ‘Abanderado Grandoli,’ where he was coached by his father. Messi has a basic understanding of English but cannot speak it fluently; he has also expressed regret over his decision not to learn the language during his childhood.
Lionel Messi Relationships And More
Messi began dating model and dietitian Antonela Roccuzzo in 2008 and married her on June 30, 2017, in his hometown of Rosario. Messi and Roccuzzo have three sons, born in 2012, 2015, and 2018.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Boyfriend | Antonella Roccuzzo (model and Dietician) |
| Spouse/wife | Antonella Roccuzzo |
| Children | Son – Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro Daughter – N/A |
Lionel Messi Family
Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, was a department head at the ‘Acindar Pressed Steel Manufacturing Plant’ in Villa Constitución. His mother, Celia Cuccittini, worked in a magnet-manufacturing workshop. His older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, all went on to become professional footballers. Messi also has a younger sister, María Sol.
| Father’s Name | Jorge Horacio Messi (Steel Factory Worker |
| Mother’s Name | Celia Maria Cuccittini |
| Brother’s Name | Rodrigo Messi (Elder, Messi’s business manager) Matias Messi (Elder, Manager of Messi’s Professional brands) |
| Sister’s Name | Maria Sol Messi (younger, Social Media Influencer) |
Career
Lionel Messi made his official debut for the first team on October 16, 2004, at the age of just 17, becoming the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition. He won a record 35 trophies with the club, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles.
He is also La Liga’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 474 goals. In July 2023, Messi began a new chapter in his career by joining the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami. His international career with Argentina initially faced heartbreaking defeats, including losses in the 2014 World Cup final and consecutive Copa América finals in 2015 and 2016.
The crowning achievement of his career came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he led Argentina to victory. He further cemented his international success by guiding Argentina to victory in the 2024 Copa América.
Youth Career
| Years | Team | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-2004 | Barcelona C | 10 | 5 |
| 2004-2005 | Barcelona B | 22 | 6 |
| 2004-2021 | Barcelona | 520 | 474 |
| 2021-2023 | Paris Sant-Germain | 58 | 22 |
| 2023 | Inter Miami | 67 | 62 |
International Career
| Years | Team | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2005 | Argentina U-20 | 18 | 14 |
| 2008 | Argentina U-23 | 5 | 2 |
| 2005 | Argentina | 199 | 117 |
Lionel Messi Record
- Youngest two-time and three-time FIFA Ballon d’Orwinner
- Top goalscorer in La Liga (312 goals)
- In 2013, he became the youngest player to score 200 goals in La Liga
- Record of the most hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League – Five hat-tricks
Awards/Achievements
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
- FIFA Ballon d’or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
- European Golden Boot: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014
- UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards – 2011, 2015
- UEFA Goal of the Season: 2006-07, 2014-15, 2015-16
- Best FIFA Men’s Player Award – 2023
Lionel Messi Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 170 cm. In meters – 1.70 m In feet & inches – 5’7” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 75 kg In pounds – 167 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
Lionel Messi Net Worth
Argentine professional footballer Lionel Messi has an estimated net worth around $1.1 billion, as of Juen 2026.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $1.1 billion (as of Juen 2026) |
| Annual Income (Approx) | update soon |
| Salary (Approx) | Not a fixed salary |
| Real Estate | Over $300 million real estate portfolio |
| Contract | He has a lifetime contract with Adidas |
| Income sources | Contract, endorsement, business ventures, etc. |
Some Interesting Facts About Lionel Messi
- Lionel Messi was born and raised in Rosario, Santa Fe province, to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini.
- His parents met in their youth in the ‘Las Heras’ neighborhood of southeastern Rosario.
- His father completed his military service with the Argentine Army in 1978.
- On his father’s side, Messi has Italian and Spanish ancestry, while on his mother’s side, he is primarily of Italian descent.
- At the age of four, Messi joined the local football club ‘Abanderado Grandoli FC’.
- His grandmother, Celia, used to accompany him to training sessions and matches.
- He points towards the sky after scoring a goal to pay tribute to his grandmother.
- He began playing for the Rosario-based football club ‘Newell’s Old Boys’ at the age of seven.
- At the age of 10, he was diagnosed with ‘growth hormone deficiency’.
- The Buenos Aires club ‘River Plate’ scouted him; he considered the club’s playmaker, Pablo Aimar, his idol.
- Ronaldinho used to call Messi his “little brother,” and their friendship made it much easier for Messi to secure a spot in the first team.
- He made his La Liga debut for Barcelona on October 16, 2004, at the age of 17.
- During the 2006-07 season, Messi scored his first hat-trick in a match against Real Madrid.
- In 2016, Lionel Messi signed a new seven-year contract with Barcelona.
- He made his international debut against Hungary in 2005 but lasted only 47 seconds on the pitch. He is the only player in the world who runs faster with the ball than without it.
- Lionel Messi is considered the best dribbler in the world.
- In 2015, Forbes magazine named him the second highest-paid athlete in the world (after Cristiano Ronaldo).
- Throughout his career, he has been compared to Diego Maradona.
- In 2019, Lionel Messi was named ‘Best Player of the Year’ for the sixth time.
- In 2011 and 2012, Time magazine included him in its list of the world’s most influential people. Lionel won his first international trophy with the 2021 Copa América victory.
- In January 2024, Messi was named “The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023.”
FAQ:
How old is Lionel Messi?
As of 2026, Lionel Messi is 39 years old.
What is Lionel Messi’s net worth?
As of Juen 2026, Lionel Messi’s net worth is around $1.1 billion.
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