Who is Lionel Messi? Full Bio & 8 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About

1 year ago

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players in the world, with numerous impressive achievements to his name. However, behind the surface lies a poignant life story and a remarkable journey of overcoming adversity. In this article, we delve into the biography of this football icon: who is Lionel Messi, his football career, net worth, and fascinating and surprising facts about his life.

Who is Lionel Messi?

• Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Nickname: Leo, La Pulga (The Flea), or M10
• Date of birth: June 24, 1987
• Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
• Age: 35 (as of May 24, 2023)
• Height: 1.70 meters (5 feet 7 inches)
• Position(s): Forward, Attacking midfielder
• Club(s): FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
• Team: Argentina national team

Lionel Messi is a famous football player known for his exceptional skills. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Messi gained fame for his ability to maneuver the ball and create goals in ways that are beyond imagination. He earned the nickname "Leo" as a shortened form of his first name, Lionel.

Known as "La Pulga" (The Flea), Messi's nickname highlights his exceptional speed, agility, and elusiveness on the football field. Initially, Leo played as a right winger for Barcelona. However, after witnessing his incredible ability to improvise, the coach moved him to a central position as a false nine. Messi quickly mastered this playing style and has continued to excel in that role to this day.

Football career: When did Messi start playing soccer?

Lionel Messi started playing soccer at the age of five for a local club called Grandoli in Rosario, Argentina. At eight, he joined the youth academy of Newell's Old Boys, and at 11, he was scouted by Barcelona FC and invited to join their renowned youth academy, La Masia, in Barcelona, Spain. His early start in soccer paved the way for his rapid progression and eventual debut for FC Barcelona's senior team.

Unprecedented success at Barcelona

Messi's impact on the game was immediate and profound. His mesmerizing skills, agility, and goal-scoring prowess propelled Barcelona to numerous titles. He formed the iconic MSN trio with Neymar and Luis Suarez, guiding the team to multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League triumphs.

International career

While Messi's international success may not match his club dominance, he has played a crucial role for the Argentina national team. He has represented his country in major tournaments and led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America, a significant achievement in his international career.

Transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

After spending his entire professional career at Barcelona, the Artengine football star made a surprising transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This move brought excitement and anticipation as fans eagerly awaited his performances in a new league and club environment.

Achievements and awards

During his peak, La Pulga astounded the world with his skills and his class. To this day, amidst the emergence of many talented young players, Leo Messi still reigns supreme with 1 World Cup, 7 Ballon d'Or Awards, and 4 Golden Shoes, along with 34 outstanding titles.

Leo has also achieved 80 Guinness World Records. He holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, having scored 91 goals in 2012. Messi also holds the record for the most goals scored in a single European club season, achieving 73 goals in the 2011-2012 season.

Regarding his achievements in La Liga, Messi holds the record for the most goals scored in the league, surpassing 400 goals. He has also achieved the most hat-tricks in La Liga and holds the record for the most assists in the league as well.

Furthermore, Messi also holds the record for the most assists in Europe and the Copa America.

Enduring legacy and influence

Regardless of the club he represents, Messi's influence on the game is immeasurable. His unique playing style, characterized by exquisite ball control, incisive passing, and goal-scoring ability, has inspired generations of footballers. He has become an icon, not only for his skills but also for his humility and sportsmanship.

8 interesting Lionel Messi facts to know about M10

It is known that before reaching the pinnacle of glory with numerous prestigious awards worldwide, Messi went through a haunting childhood plagued by a debilitating illness that seemed to permanently halt his football career.

1. Messi almost had to quit playing football due to poverty and lack of funds for medical treatment

Messi's extraordinary football talent was discovered at a young age, but his journey to professional football was far from easy. He suffered from a growth hormone deficiency, which made him short in stature, and faced various challenges beyond his height.

In the poor countryside in Rosario, Messi's father worked as a laborer, and his mother was a cleaner. His dream of pursuing football seemed to come to an end when his family couldn't afford the expenses for his treatment. Even his former club, River Plate, couldn't cover the nearly $1,000 per month required for the promising talent's treatment.

2. Messi's first contract with Barcelona was written on a paper napkin

Messi's seemingly closed door was unexpectedly opened by the hands of a football giant, Barcelona. The sports director of Barcelona at the time, Carles Rexach, recognized Leo's immense talent and desire to play football. A contract was quickly drafted on a paper napkin to bring Messi to Spain for treatment at the renowned La Masia training academy, with all treatment costs covered for the young boy.

Notably, Messi's first contract with Barcelona was presented in detail on a paper napkin because there was no paper available at that time.

3. Messi had to receive hormone injections to continue playing football

Did you know that doctors in Barcelona administered growth hormone injections to Messi to help him develop bone structure and physique? "I had to inject hormones into my legs every night," Messi recalled.

Fortunately, the compassion of the Camp Nou team was soon rewarded. After months of hard work and dedication, Messi successfully surpassed the training programs and became an official player for Barcelona at the age of 17. His football career began to soar like a kite in the wind. Messi's first official match took place on October 16, 2003. With his small stature, he effortlessly weaved and juggled the ball, leaving his peers and even opposing goalkeepers astounded by his prolific scoring.

Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to say that Messi's era is the greatest in Barcelona's history. In his 17 years of playing, he has won 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League trophies with Barcelona, a feat matched by only five other teams in history. Furthermore, Messi's legacy for Barcelona includes 672 goals, the highest in the club's history. It is no wonder that in advertising campaigns, Adidas referred to Messi as the greatest player in the history of football, and that phrase has been reiterated in news articles discussing Messi's greatness.

4. Lionel Messi owes Barcelona a heartfelt debt

Overcoming challenges, the once young boy who may have been deprived of playing football has reaped the highest honors in the career of a football superstar. And Barcelona is the one who saw his potential. It is where he emerged and found refuge when plagued by illness.

Clearly, Messi owes Barcelona a great deal.

5. Messi owns a collection of extravagant supercars worth tens of millions of dollars

Not only renowned as one of the wealthiest football players in the world, with an estimated net worth of $600 million, Messi is also known for his extravagant lifestyle, owning a fleet of high-end luxury cars estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars. One notable example is the 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Galaxy, which he successfully auctioned for approximately $37.1 million in February 2016. It's worth mentioning that his rival Cristiano Ronaldo also showed interest in this expensive supercar.

Equally luxurious is the $1.6 million Pagani Zonda Tricolore, produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Italian Air Force's Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team. With only three units sold worldwide, one of them belongs to the Argentine superstar.

In addition, Messi owns a variety of sports cars from famous brands such as Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes, and Lexus, with each car valued at several million dollars.

6. Messi's Gulfstream V private jet is as convenient as a luxurious mobile hotel

In 2018, Messi purchased a private jet for $16.5 million. The entire interior of the Gulfstream V is adorned with expensive wood and leather.

With 16 seats, the jet can fly for over 14 consecutive hours, at an average speed of nearly 900 km/h (560 mph), and is described as nothing short of a mobile hotel with basic amenities like a resting area and bathroom. It also features a modern kitchen and an additional bathroom.

Messi didn't forget to add unique details to the aircraft. The steps leading to the plane bear the names of his entire family: Leo, Antonela, Thiago, Ciro, and Mateo. The tail of the plane displays his jersey numbers for both his club and the national team.

Additionally, for occasional getaways after intense matches, Messi even rents a yacht worth $13.8 million, complete with VIP cabins, amenities, and exclusive toys.

7. Messi and his wife met through a childhood teammate

Did you know that besides his extraordinary talent on the football field, Lionel Messi is also known as a humble and exemplary father with a healthy lifestyle? And many people admire his fairytale-like love story.

Leo and Antonela's story began in 1996 when Messi was 9 years old. He was a promising player for the Oldell's Old Boys football team while 8-year-old wealthy-born Antonela lived on the same street. Coincidentally, Messi's teammate, Lucas Scaglia, happened to be Antonela's cousin. Messi and his muse quickly had their first meeting at Lucas' house, but geographical distance, differences in family backgrounds, and the time apart when Messi moved to Europe to join Barcelona's youth academy prevented their blossoming love from developing further.

Nevertheless, after numerous ups and downs and obstacles, they found their way back to each other and officially became a couple on July 20, 2007. At that time, Messi was a global football phenomenon, hailed by fans in Argentina as the heir to Diego Maradona.

On June 30, 2017, their 20-year childhood sweetheart love story culminated in a sweet and luxurious wedding at the most extravagant hotel in their homeland. Messi's love for Antonela, his official wife, has always been passionate and unwavering.

To this day, despite enduring various hardships and setbacks in his career, from injuries to failures, especially with the Argentine national team, allegations of tax evasion, and even a prison sentence, Messi still has Antonela and their three sons as an anchor, motivation, and support, helping Messi stand strong in the face of life's challenges.

8. Ronaldo's son is a big fan of Messi

Alongside the superstar Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently one of the top footballers in the world. Like father, like son, Ronaldo Jr., the eldest son of the CR7 family, has inherited numerous football skills and a keen goal-scoring ability just like his father. In the U9 Juventus jersey, the young boy scored an impressive 58 goals in 28 appearances—a remarkable feat comparable to his father.

However, Ronaldo Jr.'s idol is not his own father but rather his father's rival, Lionel Messi. Even Cristiano Ronaldo himself has admitted that his son watches videos of both players online but always talks about Messi. In fact, Ronaldo Jr. openly displayed his admiration for Messi on social media by posting a photo of him shaking hands with Messi at The Best 2017 Gala, accompanied by the caption: "Gracias mi idolo" (Thank you, my idol). During the Ballon d'Or ceremony in 2014, as soon as he saw his idol, Ronaldo Jr. immediately stood up, approached Messi, and embraced him with a hug.

Net worth

As one of the most sought-after names in football, Lionel Messi holds a tremendously vast fortune. As of June 2021, the Argentine superstar was enjoying the highest salary in the world, amounting to a total income of €131 million per year.

Since leaving Barcelona, it is estimated that Messi's earnings at Paris Saint-Germain are around $35-41 million per season, excluding personal bonuses for winning championships.

Similar to Ronaldo, Messi has an extensive list of endorsement deals, with the most notable being his lifelong partnership with the renowned fashion brand Adidas. Additionally, Messi serves as the face of other famous brands such as Pepsi, Gillette, and Turkish Airlines, earning an estimated $35 million in advertising revenue in 2019.

Moreover, the superstar also focuses on real estate investments, including several houses and mansions. While Messi may not be as wealthy as Ronaldo in terms of total assets, his fortune is still a lifelong dream for thousands of players worldwide.

Conclusion

So there you have the answer to the question who is Lionel Messi? We've also just explored and discovered many fascinating and surprising aspects of Lionel Messi's life - one of the world's most renowned and outstanding football players. Which fact impressed you the most? Feel free to leave a comment to share your thoughts and opinions!

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