© Getty Images

Roots -

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. Fun fact: it's the same place where revolutionary Che Guevara was born.

© Getty Images

Early start -

Leo Messi was just four years old when he joined local club Grandoli. At age six, he joined Rosario’s Newell's Old Boys, where he scored almost 500 goals from 1994 until 2000.

© Getty Images

Disorder -

At around age 10 or 11, Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone disorder, also known as GHD. Treatments were expensive, and before his move to Spain his family struggled to pay for it.

© Getty Images

Move to Barcelona -

Messi was 13 when he got signed by FC Barcelona. The contract, signed on a napkin, covered the health expenses, and the move from Argentina to Spain.

© Getty Images

He didn’t start playing immediately -

Messi spent one year at Barcelona's youth academy before being enrolled in the Spanish soccer federation.

© Getty Images

“Generation 87” -

Messi was part of what became known as “Generation 87” or the “Baby Dream Team.” His teammates included Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué.

© Getty Images

First team debut -

Messi was just 16 when he first played for the first team in a friendly against FC Porto on November 16, 2003.

© Getty Images

Ronaldinho saw Messi's talent -

Then-Barcelona star Ronaldinho saw the potential in young Messi and took him under his wing, calling him "little brother."

© Getty Images

His Argentina debut didn’t go as expected -

Messi was sent off with a red card after just 47 seconds on the pitch, in his 2005 international debut.

© Getty Images

Indisputable player in the starting 11 -

By 2005, when Messi turned 18, he became a senior player, and the rest is history. Messi was on his way to becoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

© Getty Images

Playing style -

A versatile forward, Messi is known for his ball control, dribbling, and acceleration. His stature allows him to quickly pass through defenders and score.

© Getty Images

Top scorer -

In 2012, aged 24, Messi became the all-time top scorer in the history of Barcelona.

© Getty Images

Top scorer -

He’s also the top scorer for Argentina, with over 70 goals, beating Gabriel Batistuta’s previous record of 45 goals by a large margin.

© Getty Images

El Clásico -

He also holds the record as the top scorer and having the most assists in the El Clásico (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona).

© Getty Images

Most goals in a year -

In 2012, Messi broke Gerd Müller's record of the most goals scored in a calendar year, which was 85 goals set in 1972. Messi scored 79 goals for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina.

© Getty Images

Most goals scored for a single club -

Messi beat the record previously held by Pelé for Santos, after scoring goal number 644 for Barcelona in December 2020.

© Getty Images

Awards -

Since 2008, Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or, six FIFA World's Best Player awards, and six European Golden Shoes (aka Golden Boot).

© Getty Images

He refused to play for Spain -

Messi was invited to play for the Spanish national team, but he refused as he wanted to play for his country, Argentina.

© Getty Images

Rivalry -

Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the two best soccer players in the world, have been compared for years. Their rivalry has become one of the most famous in the history of the sport.

© Getty Images

Nicknames -

Messi has several nicknames, including  ‘La Pulga Atomica’ (which translates to “The Atomic Flea”), “The Messiah," “The Magician,” and, of course, “The GOAT.”

© Getty Images

Celebration -

Messi usually celebrates his goals by pointing towards the sky, dedicating them to his late grandmother.

© Getty Images

Charity -

In 2007, he founded the Leo Messi Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to health, education, and sport.

© Getty Images

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador -

In 2010, the soccer star was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

© Getty Images

Olympic gold, South American glory -

Messi won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with Argentina’s national squad. His next big win for Argentina would come many years later, in 2021, when they won the Copa América.

© Getty Images

Religion -

Leo Messi is a devoted Catholic. In 2013, he met the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, at the Vatican. Of course, Pope Francis is also from Argentina, and happens to be a big soccer fan.

© Getty Images

The Golden Foot -

Japanese jeweller Ginza Takana made a golden replica of Messi’s left foot. It was sold to raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and was priced at US$5.25 million.

© Getty Images

Family -

Messi has been in a relationship with his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo for many years. They got married in 2017 and have three sons together.

© Getty Images

Idols -

Messi looked up to players such as the Brazilian Ronaldo and the late Diego Maradona. ”Even if I played for a million years, I’d never come close to Maradona. Not that I’d want to anyway. He’s the greatest there’s ever been,” Messi said.

© Getty Images

Barça fans froze in August 2020 -

After dedicating his career to Barcelona, in August 2020 Messi expressed his desire to leave the club. But faced with a €700 million (about US$855 million) release clause, Messi opted for staying.

© Getty Images

The tables turned -

Then, in 2021, Messi wished to renew his contract with Barcelona for two more years, but the club was unable to keep him due to funding issues and LaLiga regulations. At a tearful press conference he said, "This year I wanted to stay and I couldn’t. Last year I didn’t want to stay, and I said it." He eventually completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he had some highs and lows.

© Getty Images

Winning the World Cup -

In 2022, Messi won his first World Cup title with Argentina against France in what was one of the most epic matches FIFA has ever seen. Not even Kylian Mbappé's remarkable hat trick could deny Messi his trophy. The Argentine captain scored two goals in the final, and after extra time ended in an unbelievable 3-3 tie, his team defeated France in a 4-2 penalty shootout. This is Argentina's third World Cup title ever, and its first since 1986. Messi has now officially won every major football trophy with Argentina, including Finalissima (2022), Copa América (2021), Beijing Olympics (2008), and FIFA World Youth Championship (2005). 

© Getty Images

Best FIFA Men's Player award, 2023 -

In February 2023, Messi was named Best FIFA Men's Player at a Paris ceremony, beating his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema. "It's amazing. It was a tremendous year and it is an honor for me to be here tonight and win this award," said Messi of his second FIFA title—the first of which he received in 2019. "I want to express my thanks to [coach Lionel] Scaloni and my teammates; without them I would not be here," he added. "I achieved a dream I had been hoping for so long and finally I achieved it. It's a dream for any player; very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so."

© Getty Images

Moving to Miami -

Following a challenging two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi joined the American Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in July 2023, taking on the role of captain. Under his leadership, the team clinched the Leagues Cup and has now also secured the 2024 Supporters' Shield. Messi leads the Argentine national team as they gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

© Getty Images

Time to hang up the boots? -

Lionel Messi delivered another classic display for Argentina, netting three goals and providing two assists during a dominant 6-0 victory over Bolivia in South American World Cup qualifying. When questioned about his future and the possibility of helping Argentina in their title defense at the 2026 World Cup, he stated that he was truly enjoying the moment and that these could be his last games.

See also: The wackiest soccer goal celebrations

© Getty Images