[446] With his two assists in his team's second round fixture, Messi became the first player to provide an assist in the last four World Cups, and also became the first player to provide two assists in a match for Argentina since Maradona had managed the same feat against South Korea in 1986. A turning point came on 11 January during a 31 victory over Atltico Madrid, the first time Bara's attacking trident of Messi, Luis Surez and Neymar, dubbed "MSN", each scored in a match, marking the beginning of a highly successful run. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, Mara Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father. Despite his dual citizenship and professional success in Spain, Messis ties with his homeland remained strong, and he was a key member of various Argentine national teams from 2005. Of those 46 goals, only four came from the spot, with the other 42 came from open play. [359] As their progression to the knockout phase was secured, several starters were rested during the last group match. As he lacked the stamina of his teammates, the result of his former growth hormone deficiency, he was used as a substitute in six of the nine games. [309][310] On 16 May, Messi scored his 30th league goal of the campaign in a 12 home defeat against Celta Vigo, which later turned out to be his final goal and match in a Barcelona shirt. As their place in the knockout phase was guaranteed, most of the starters were rested during the last group match, but Messi reportedly refused to be benched. [371], Ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Barcelona legally barred Messi from representing Argentina at the tournament as it coincided with their Champions League qualifying matches. Kevin De Bruyne. Kevin De Bruyne, one . "[32], At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first team debut when he came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against Jos Mourinho's Porto on 16 November 2003. [316] The club cited financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi's departure. Lionel Messi, in full Lionel Andrs Messi, also called Leo Messi, (born June 24, 1987, Rosario, Argentina), Argentine-born football (soccer) player who received a record-setting seven Ballon dOr awards as the worlds top male player (200912, 2015, 2019, and 2021). [458], In the third-place match against Chile on 6 July, Messi set-up Agero's opening goal from a free kick in an eventual 21 win, to help Argentina capture the bronze medal; however, he was sent off along with Gary Medel in the 37th minute of play, after being involved in an altercation with the Chilean defender. After a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa Amrica, Messi led Argentina to victory in the tournament two years later, and he received the Golden Ball award. In eight qualifying matches under Maradona's stewardship, Messi scored only one goal, netting the opening goal in the first such match, a 40 victory over Venezuela. Messi helped Argentina reach the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, where the team was eliminated by Germany for the second consecutive time in World Cup play. 10 Barcelona Shirt", "Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or", "FIFA Refuses to Back Lionel Messi or Godfrey Chitalu for Goal Record", "Barcelona Star Lionel Messi Sets New Goal-Scoring Record", "Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile", "A Sense of Anticlimax but Barcelona Still Deserve Their La Liga Title", "Captain Messi Inspires Another Bara League Triumph", "Andrs Iniesta Admission That Barcelona Suffer from 'Messi-Dependence' Proved against PSG", "Messidependencia Brought into Focus as Barcelona Show Vulnerability", "Rumours of Lionel Messi Rift with Barcelona Rubbished Be Representatives of the Argentina International", "Messi 'Breaks Record' by Scoring in 17th Consecutive La Liga Game", "Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201213", "Lionel Messi Returns from Injury in Barcelona Victory", "Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA Ballon D'or after Stellar Year at Real Madrid", "Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi? [84] He returned as a false nine during the final on 27 May in Rome against Manchester United. [444] Argentina progressed to the second round as group runners-up behind Croatia. Messi was among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2011 and 2012. [108][109] Barcelona won a third consecutive La Liga title. [18][376] Jorge Valdano, who won the 1986 World Cup alongside Maradona, said in October 2013, "Messi is Maradona every day. He played forFC Barcelonas under-14 team, quickly graduating through the higher-level teams until his informal debut at age 16 with FC Barcelona in a friendly match. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. [427] On 12 August, it was confirmed that Messi had reversed his decision to retire from international football, and he was included in the squad for the national team's upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers. [424] The campaign also continued in the streets and avenues of the Argentine capital, with about 50,000 supporters going to the Obelisco de Buenos Aires on 2 July, using the same slogan. 101 following. Later in 2021 Messi signed with Paris St.-Germain, where he joined superstars Kylian Mbapp and Neymar, and that year he also received another Ballon dOr. The only player in history to win five FIFA Ballons d'Or, he was also the first player to win three European Golden Shoes. Pessi's user player card & information (stats, attributes, traits and records). [325] On 28 September, he scored his first goal for the club, a strike from the edge of the 18-yard box in a 20 Champions League group stage win over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. I try to improve my game in every way possible." 12. [412], On 18 June, in the quarter-final of the Copa Amrica against Venezuela, Messi produced another man of the match performance,[413] assisting two goals and scoring another in a 41 victory, which enabled him to equal Gabriel Batistuta's national record of 54 goals in official international matches. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football. Naturally left-footed, quick, and precise in control of the ball, Messi was a keen pass distributor and could readily thread his way through packed defenses. During his professional career, he scored 733 goals in 745 matches. Argentinas Messi wins Best Fifa mens player of the year award, Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina holds the World Cup Trophy during the 2022 Fifa World Cup awarding ceremony at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on December 18. In the next match, against Serbia and Montenegro, he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a FIFA World Cup when he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute. 2. [295] Two days prior to the opening game, he again criticised the club, this time for the manner of Luis Surez's departure, stating, "at this stage nothing surprises me any more". [214] In his next league match, on 14 January, Messi scored in a 50 win against Las Palmas; with this goal, he equalled Ral's record for the most teams scored against in La Liga (35). [320] He signed a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year. It's hostage to lies and it's sad', "Starlet Messi Stays at Bara until 2014", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200506", "Messi's first UEFA Champions League goal", "Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Bara Decline", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200607", "Dnde Est Messi? [368][369] At the quarter-final stage, where the group winners faced Peru, he scored the second goal of a 40 victory that saw them through to the semi-final, during which he chipped the ball over Mexico's goalkeeper to ensure another 30 win. [169][170] After five years of playing in the centre of the pitch, Messi had returned to his old position on the right wing late the previous year, by his own suggestion according to Surez, their striker. [364] Back home, Pkerman's decision to leave him on the bench against Germany led to widespread criticism from those who believed Messi could have changed the outcome of the match in Argentina's favour. [572], As a commercial entity, Messi's marketing brand has been based exclusively on his talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more glamorous players like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. At the start of his career, he thus mainly held sponsorship contracts with companies that employ sports-oriented marketing, such as Adidas, Pepsi, and Konami. [318] Three days later, in a tearful press conference held at the Camp Nou, Messi confirmed that he would be leaving Barcelona. I connected really cleanly. [86] With 23 league goals from Messi that season, Barcelona became La Liga champions three days later and achieved its fifth double. [384], Ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, doubts persisted over Messi's form, as he finished an unsuccessful and injury-plagued season with Barcelona. Filter by season: Stats 22/23 . [166] A third hat-trick, scored against city rivals Espanyol on 7 December, allowed him to surpass Csar Rodrguez as the all-time top scorer in the Derbi barcelon with 12 goals. [256][257] He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 201617 season. ", Barcelona president Joan Laporta explains the reason behind Messi's departure. [501] His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it. ", "Barcelona Transform Their Season from Trouble to a Possible Treble", "Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble", "Barcelona Increasingly Gaining Messi Independence (and It's a Good Thing)", "Barcelona's Luis Surez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus", "Barcelona Win La Liga: Lionel Messi Strike Sees Barca Clinch 23rd Title at Home of Reigning Champions Atletico Madrid", "Supporters, Superstars and Goals Galore", "Spanish Primera Divisin Statistics: Top Assists 201415", "Messi Tambin Es Leyenda en el Ranking Histrico de Asistencias", "Treble Comes into Focus as Messi Marches Barcelona to Copa Title", "If Lionel Messi Makes Pep Guardiola Feel Helpless, What Chance Do the Rest Have? [312] It was also his record fifth consecutive win in La Liga, surpassing Alfredo Di Stfano and Hugo Snchez who both had four for Real Madrid. He was an alien. [388] In his first World Cup match as captain, he led them to a 21 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina; he helped create Sead Kolainac's own goal and scored their second strike after a dribble past three players, his first World Cup goal since his debut in the tournament eight years earlier. "[336] On 23 April, he helped PSG clinch their 10th Ligue 1 title after scoring from a strike outside the 18-yard box in a 11 draw against Lens at home. Three successful seasons followed, with Messi winning four consecutive Ballons d'Or, making him the first player to win the award four times. [14][15] However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, aged 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. [383][528], "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi. His mother and other brother, Matas, manage his charitable organization, the Leo Messi Foundation, and take care of personal and professional matters in Rosario. [405] At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the Most Valuable Player award but rejected the honour. [377] Overall, Messi scored four goals in 18 appearances during the qualifying process. He still felt the need to take Saudi money", "Messi Is Accused of Being the Face of a Blood-Soaked Regime", "Lionel Messi urged to intervene in case of youth facing Saudi death sentence", "Lionel Messi's wife explains her absence at World Cup opener that left him broken hearted", "Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century', "Antonela Roccuzzo the first lady of Argentinean football", "The Machine of '87: Messi's Boyhood Teammates Recall Early Signs of Greatness", "Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says", "Lionel Messi marries stunning childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Argentine home town", "Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo expecting their third child", "A Messi situation: Examining the faith of the world's greatest soccer player", "After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's Old Boys", "Lionel Messi reaffirms desire to return to Newell's Old Boys before retirement", "Leo Messi, llamado a votar en las prximas elecciones italianas", "Barcelona's Lionel Messi talks family, favourite foods and quirky habits", "Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016", "Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF", "Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in Algeria", "Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity", "Messi, Guardiola donate $1.08 million each to coronavirus battle", "Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi donate to hospitals in fight against coronavirus", "Lionel Messi's Coronavirus Wage Cut Could Cost Him $50 Million", "Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel", "Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team", "Adidas and Messi donate boots to Art Museum to be auctioned in April", "Lionel Messi helps obtain 50,000 Covid vaccines for South American players", "Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences", "Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201415", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201516", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201617", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201718", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201819", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201920", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 202021", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 202122", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 202223", "La seleccin catalana pierde ante Argentina (01) en un partido marcado por la poltica", "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities", "Argentina's Lionel Messi: World Cup goals, stats and career highlights", "Messi wins Best Fifa men's player award", "Palmars de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos", "Lionel Messi, 201415 Liga BBVA Best Player", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lionel_Messi&oldid=1142234186, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:12, 26 February 2023 (UTC), This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 06:59. In the 2012/13 season, which is generally considered Messi's best season ever, he scored 46 goals in 32 games in the Spanish top flight alone. [34] After his first training session with the senior squad, Bara's new star player, Ronaldinho, told his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself. [17][66] A league match against Espanyol on 9 June saw him score by launching himself at the ball and guiding it past the goalkeeper with his hand in similar fashion to Maradona's Hand of God goal in the same World Cup match. Argentinas Lionel Scaloni was named the best mens coach of the year, after his side claimed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. ", "Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Ver Jams", "Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever? [129][130] In Bara's last home league match on 5 May, against Espanyol, Messi scored all four goals before approaching the bench to embrace Guardiola, who had announced his resignation as manager. ", "Barcelona knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Sevilla", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200910", "La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed", "Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer", "David Villa Strikes Twice as Slick Barcelona Thrash Real Madrid", "Lionel Messi Stars as Barcelona Seal Record League Win", "Most Consecutive Wins in the Top Division of Spanish football (Soccer)", "Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award", "Two goals, one of the greatest Champions League strikes ever Lionel Messi just can't stop getting better", "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Aftermath of the Clsico Series", "Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201011", "Spanish Primera Divisin Statistics: Top Assists 201011", "Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever? [43] Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a false nine role; positioned as a centre-forward or lone striker, he would roam the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta. [168], At the start of 2015, Barcelona were perceived to be headed for another disappointing end to the season, with renewed speculation in the media that Messi was leaving the club. Lionel Messi is an Argentine-bornfootball(soccer) player who has been named the worlds best mens player of the year six times (200912, 2015, and 2019). Substitute Mario Gtze finally scored in the 113th minute, followed in the last minute of extra time by a free kick that Messi sent over the net, as Germany won the match 10 to claim the World Cup. Image: BBC/FIFA. [351][352] His performances drew comparisons with compatriot Diego Maradona, who had led Argentina to the title in 1979. [190] After a knee injury, he returned to the pitch on 21 November, making a substitute appearance in Barcelona's 40 away win over rivals Real Madrid in El Clsico. He scored 21 goals in 14 games for the junior team, and he quickly graduated through the higher-level teams until at age 16 he was given his informal debut with FC Barcelona in a friendly match. [82][83] During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep Guardiola, Messi played mainly on the right wing, like he had under Rijkaard, though this time as a false winger with the freedom to cut inside and roam the centre. In March 2012 he netted his 233rd goal for Barcelona, becoming the clubs all-time leading scorer in La Liga play when only 24 years old. Naturally left-footed, quick, and precise in control of the ball, Messi is known as a keen pass distributor and can readily thread his way through packed defenses. [261] Later that month, he suffered another setback following the return of his calf injury, which ruled him out of the opening game of the season;[262] as a result, he was sidelined indefinitely, and was only expected to return to action with Barcelona after the September international break. [398], Another final appearance, the third of Messi's senior international career, followed in the 2015 Copa Amrica, held in Chile. Really funny 5 vs. 5 soccer game. [564] From 2008, he was Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from 7.8million to 13million over the next five years. [539] Other notable Argentines in the sport, such as Osvaldo Ardiles, Javier Zanetti, and Diego Simeone, have expressed their belief that Messi has overtaken Maradona as the best player in history. 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