Lionel Messi

Soccer Player

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina on June 24th, 1987 and is the Soccer Player. At the age of 36, Lionel Messi biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.

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Other Names / Nick Names
Leo Messi
Date of Birth
June 24, 1987
Nationality
Argentina
Place of Birth
Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Age
36 years old
Zodiac Sign
Cancer
Networth
$620 Million
Salary
$75 Million
Profession
Association Football Player
Social Media
Lionel Messi Height, Weight, Eye Color and Hair Color

At 36 years old, Lionel Messi has this physical status:

Height
170cm
Weight
67kg
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Build
Athletic
Measurements
Not Available
Lionel Messi Religion, Education, and Hobbies
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Hobbies
Not Available
Education
Not Available
Lionel Messi Spouse(s), Children, Affair, Parents, and Family
Spouse(s)
Antonela Roccuzzo (m.2017)
Children
Thiago (b. November 2, 2012), Mateo (b. September 11, 2015), Ciro (b. March 10, 2018)
Dating / Affair
Macarena Lemos (2006-2008), Luciana Salazar (2008), Anna Weber (2011)
Parents
Jorge Horácio Messi, Celia María Cuccittini
Siblings
Rodrigo (Older Brother), Matías (Older Brother), María Sol (Sister)
Other Family
Eusebio Italo Messi Baró (Paternal Grandfather), Rosa María Pérez Mateu (Paternal Grandmother), Antonio Cuccittini (Maternal Grandfather), Celia Ramona Oliveira (Maternal Grandmother), Maxi Biancucchi (Cousin) (Footballer), Emanuel Biancucchi (Cousin) (Footballer)
Lionel Messi Life

Early life

Messi was born on June 24th, 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, third of Jorge Messi's three children, as well as his wife Celia Cuccitini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. He is of Italian and Spanish descent, the great-grandson of immigrants from Italy and Catalonia's northcentral Adriatic Marche region, and his mother's side, has mainly Italian roots, with mainly Italian roots. "Leo" was a young boy who grew up in a tight knit family, playing constantly with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matas, and his cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucci, both of whom went on to become professional footballers. He joined Grandoli, where he was coached by his father, at the age of four, but his first recognition as a player came from his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches. He was greatly affected by his mother's death just weeks before his 11th birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic Christian, he has fulfilled his aspirations by looking up and pointing to the sky in honor of his grandmother.

Messi, a lifelong fan of Newell's Old Boys, joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. He scored almost 500 goals for his first six years with Newell's, the near-unbeatable youth team named for the year's birth, and entertained audiences by doing ball tricks during halftime of the first team's home games. However, when he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 10, his future as a professional player was jeopardized. As his father's health insurance paid for only two years of growth hormone therapy, which cost at least $1,000 per month, Newell's decided to contribute but later reneged on their pledge. He was scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate, whose playmaker, Pablo Aimar, he adored, but his parents declined to pay for his care. Ronaldo, his goalscoring idol, was on the rise, with Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen."

In September 2000, the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, and they wanted to have a trial with Barcelona. Charly Rexach, the first team's director, immediately wished to sign him, but the board of directors resisted; at the time, European clubs were reluctant to recruit foreign players of such young age. Barcelona was ordered to demonstrate their commitment on December 14th, and Rexach, who had no other paper on hand, was given a letter napkin. The family moved to Barcelona, where they rented an apartment near the club's stadium, Camp Nou, in February 2001. Messi barely played with the Infantiles in his first year in Spain due to a transfer dispute with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. He had a difficult time integrating into the team without football; he was so quiet that his coworkers suspected him of being mute. He suffered from homesickness after his mother and his younger brother and little sister, Mara Sol, returned to Rosario, although his father remained in Barcelona with his father.

Messi, a year at Barcelona's youth academy, was finally registered in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in February 2002. He befriended his teammates, including Cesc Fábregas and Gerard Piqué, who were competing in all sports. Messi became an integral part of Barcelona's greatest-ever youth team after completing his growth hormone therapy at the age of 14. He had 36 goals in 30 games for the Cadetes A during his first full season (2002–03), winning an unprecedented treble of the league and both the Spanish and Catalan cups. The Copa Catalunya final, a 4–1 victory over Espanyol, became known in team history as the partido de la máscara, the final of the mask. Messi was allowed to start the game on the condition that he wears a plastic shield, but within ten minutes, he scored two goals in ten minutes before his replacement. He received an invitation to join Arsenal, his first from a foreign team, but he chose to remain in Barcelona later this year.

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Lionel Messi Career

Club career

Messi made a meteoric rise throughout the club's ranks, including his fourth with Barcelona, as a player for a record five youth teams in a single season. He appeared in four international pre-season tournaments with the Juveniles B, but he played only one official match before being promoted to the Juveniles A, where he scored 18 goals in 11 league games. Messi was one of many youth players called up to help bolster a struggling first team during the international break. Ludovic Giuly, a French winger, screamed during a training session with Frank Rijkaard's first team: "He destroyed us all." They were yelling him all over the place to avoid being mocked by this kid, so he woke up and kept on playing. He'd dribble past four players and score a goal. And the team's starting center-backs were anxious. He was an alien."

Messi made his first team debut on September 16, 2003, when he arrived in the 75th minute against José Mourinho's Porto at 16 years, four months, and 23 days old. His results, which included two chances and a shot on goal, impressed the technical staff, and he started training daily with Barcelona B's reserve team, as well as weekly with the first team. Ronaldinho, Barça's new star player, told his colleagues that the 16-year-old will be a better player than himself after his first training session with the senior squad. Messi, whom he referred to as "little brother," was quickly welcomed into the first team by Ronaldinho, who notably facilitated his transition.

Messi joined Barcelona C in addition to the Juveniles A, his first game for the third team on November 29th. He helped them out of the Tercera División's relegation zone, scoring five goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in eight minutes during a Copa del Rey match, while Sevilla's Sergio Ramos man-marked him. His growth was reflected in his first professional deal, which began on February 4th and contained an initial buyout provision of €30 million. On March 6, he made his Barcelona B debut in the Segunda División B, and his buyout price was raised to €80 million. He appeared in five games with the B team this season but did not score. He was physically smaller and taller than his opponents, but in preparation he concentrated on increasing his muscle mass and overall fitness in order to knock off defenders. He returned to both youth teams as a result of the season, aiding the Juveniles B win the league. He ended the season by scoring for four of his five clubs in totality, totaling 36 goals.

Messi was a set starter for the B team during the 2004–05 season, appearing in 17 games throughout the season and scoring on six occasions. Since being called up to the first team in November last year, he had not been called up again, but in October 2004, the senior players begged manager Frank Rijkaard to remove him. Rijkaard switched Messi from his usual spot to the right flank (but initially against the player's wishes), allowing him to cut into the center of the pitch and shoot with his dominant left foot. Messi made his league debut against Espanyol on October 16th and ended in the 82nd minute in the 82nd minute. He was 17 years, three months, and 22 days old when he was the youngest player to represent Barcelona in a formal competition. He appeared in 244 minutes in nine games for the first team this season, including his debut in the UEFA Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. He scored his first senior goal against Albacete on May 1, 2005, from Ronaldinho's assist, making him the youngest-ever scorer for the club. Barcelona defeated the league for the first time in six years under Rijkaard's tenure.

Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player on June 24th, his 18th birthday. It made him a Barcelona player until 2010, two years less than his previous ones, but his buyout clause increased to €150 million. During the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barcelona's pre-season tournament, his breakthrough came two months later, on August 24th. He was a starter for the first time as he led Fabio Capello's Juventus to a rousing applause at the Camp Nou. Though Capello requested to loan Messi, Inter Milan, who were able to pay his €150 million buyout clause and triple his salaries, was able to pay him. It was the first time the club faced a genuine danger in losing Messi, according to then-president Joan Laporta, but it ultimately opted to stay. His deal was extended to 2014 for the second time in three months.

Messi was unable to start La Liga due to squabbles over his legal status in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, but on September 26, he obtained Spanish citizenship and became eligible to play. He gradually established himself as the first-choice right winger, forming an attacking trio with Ronaldinho and striker Samuel Eto'o, who wore the number 19 shirt. "We'd rather play Arsenal, Manchester United, or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea," the club's starting line-up in major matches like his first Clásico against Real Madrid on November 19th, as well as Barcelona's away victory over Chelsea in the last 16 rounds of the Champions League, which came after a lengthy period of rivalry between the clubs leading to a tense match. In a 5–0 victory over Panathinaikos on November 2, 2005, he had scored 8 goals in 25 games, including his first in the Champions League, and then his season came to a halt during the return leg against Chelsea on March 7, 2006. Messi was hoping to regain fitness for the Champions League final on Saturday, but he was eventually disqualified on the 17th of May, the day of the final. He was so upset that he did not celebrate his team's win over Arsenal in Paris, something he later regretted.

Although Barcelona's decline started slowly, the 19-year-old Messi established himself as one of the country's best players during the 2006-07 season. He was a hero to the culés, the club's followers, who scored 17 goals in 36 games in all competitions. However, he was still plagued by major injuries; a metatarsal fracture sustained on November 12, 2006, kept him out of action for three months. He recovered in time for the final 16 rounds of the Champions League against Liverpool but was effectively locked out of the game; Barcelona, the reigning champions, were ruled out of the competition. His goal contribution in the league increased toward the end of the season; 11 of his 14 goals came from the last 13 games. He scored his first hat-trick in a Clásico on March 10, 2007, becoming the first player to do so in 12 years, equalizing after Real Madrid's goal ended the game in a 3-3 draw in injury time. His contribution to the club was reflected in a new deal that was signed in that month, which also raised his wages.

Messi surpassed Maradona's two most popular goals in less than seven weeks when compared to compatriot Diego Maradona. He scored a goal remarkably similar to Maradona's second goal in the 1986 FIFA World Cup's quarterfinals, dubbed Goal of the Century, during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe on April 18th. Messi collected the ball on the right side of the halfway line, ran 60 meters (66 yd), and defeated five defenders before scoring in a angled finish, as Maradona did. On June 9, the goalkeeper was able to score in a league match against Espanyol by launching himself at the ball and guiding it past the goalkeeper with his glove in a similar way to Maradona's Hand of God goal. Barcelona faltered as Messi's personal career continued, but the team was unable to qualify for the Copa del Rey final after Messi was rested during the second leg against Getafe and lost the league to Real Madrid on head-to-head results.

Messi, Barça's new star player at 20 years old, was given the Spanish media's nickname "Messiah" after Ronaldinho lost form. His efforts in 2007 earned him the third-best player of the year, behind Kaká and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo, while international managers and national team captains named him second for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind Kaká and runner-up, while national team captains named him second. Despite scoring 16 goals during the 2007–08 season, the second half of his season was marred by injuries after he suffered a torn hamstring injury on December 15th. He scored twice in the Champions League's away victory over Celtic in the last 16 rounds of the Champions League, but injured himself on return leg on March 4, 2008. Despite warning from the medical staff and leading captain Carles Puyol to criticize Messi's pressuring him to play every match, Rijkaard fielded him. Barcelona finished the season without trophies, was disqualified in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual champions, Manchester United, and finished third in the league.

Barcelona needed a makeover after two seasons, resulting in the departure of Rijkaard and Ronaldinho. Messi was given the number ten shirt upon the former's departure. In July, he began a new deal with a €7.8 million annual salary, making him the club's highest-paid employee. A key question going into the new season was his regular muscular pain, which had left him sidelined for a total of eight months between 2006 and 2008. To solve the issue, the club introduced new training, diet, and lifestyle habits, as well as assigning him a personal physiotherapist who would travel with him on call-ups for Argentina's national team. Messi stayed virtually injury-free over the next four years, allowing him to reach his full potential. Despite his injury early in the year, his appearances in 2008 saw him runner-up for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, both times behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

He scored 38 goals in 51 games, including Eto'o and winger Thierry Henry, who scored a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record for the club at the time. Messi played mainly on the right wing during his first season under Barcelona's new boss, Pep Guardiola, but this time as a free winger with the freedom to cut inside and roam the center. He played for the first time as a false nine during the Clásico on May 2, 2009, but he dropped deep into midfield to team up with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. In a tense 6–2 win over Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, he scored twice and scored twice to tie the game. He played his first final since being called up to the first team on May 13th, scoring once and assisting a second goal as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4–1 in the Copa del Rey, defeating Rey on January 13. Barcelona became the La Liga champions three days later and earned its fifth double with 23 goals from Messi this season.

Messi scored two goals and assisted two more to ensure a 4–0 quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich as the season's top scorer with nine goals, the youngest in the tournament's history. During the final against Manchester United on May 27, he came back as a false nine. Barcelona defeated Europe by beating the match 2–0, the second goal coming from a Messi header over goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Barcelona also won the first treble in Spanish football history. Messi's performance was reflected in his new deal, which committed Messi to the club until 2016 with a new buyout provision of €250 million, although his salary increased to €12 million.

Barcelona's success continued into the second half of 2009, when the club became the first team to win the sextuple, winning six top-tier trophies in a single year. Barcelona defeated Estudiantes de La Plata on December 19th after winning the Supercopa de Espaa and UEFA Super Cup in August, with Messi scoring the winning 2–1 goal with his chest. Messi received the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award at 22 years old, both times by the largest voting margin in each trophy's history.

Barcelona, on the other hand, started the new year on a less positive note in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 after being knocked out by Sevilla in the Round of 16. Messi returned to action in early 2010, beginning with a Champions League last 16-round match against VfB Stuttgart. Messi was unsatisfied with his position on the right wing with the club's summer trade Zlatan Ibrahimovi occupying the central forward role. Barcelona won the second leg 4–0 after a first-leg draw, with two goals and Messi's assistance. He effectively became Guardiola's tactical focal point at that time, and his goalscoring rate increased. Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions this season, beating Ronaldo's club record from 1996-97. He scored all of his team's four goals against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 6, 2015, while Barcelona's all-time top scorer in the tournament. Despite being disqualified in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual winners, Inter Milan, Messi, was the season's top scorer (with 8 goals) for the second year in a row. With 34 goals (again tying Ronaldo's record), Barcelona defeated Barcelona in their second straight La Liga title and earned his first European Golden Shoe, as the league's top scorer with 34 goals (again tying for fourth.

After losing in his team's second-leg victory after a first-leg loss, Messi won Barcelona's first trophy of the 2010–11 season, the Supercopa de Espaa. He assumed a playmaking role in a Clásico on November 29, 2010, the first with José Mourinho in charge of Real Madrid as Barcelona defeated their opponents 5–0. Messi played in 16 consecutive league victories, a record in Spanish football, and ended with a hat-trick against Atlético Madrid on February 5, 2011. His club success in 2010 earned him the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or, an amalgamation of the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, though he was greeted with some skepticism for his lack of success with Argentina at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He would have finished last in the award's old scheme, thanks to the votes from the international coaches and captains.

Barcelona played four Clásicos in the span of 18 days up to the end of the season. After Messi's penalty, a league match came to a deadlock on April 16th. Messi's team won the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals in Madrid, defeating three Real players as one of the best in the world ever. Despite the fact that he did not score, he was still instrumental in Barcelona's second-leg draw, where the team defeated Manchester United in a repeat of the last two years. Messi gave a man-of-the-match display at Wembley Stadium on May 28th, scoring the match-winning goal of Barça's 3–1 victory as the competition's top scorer for the third year in a row, with 12 goals. Barcelona secured their third straight La Liga title. Messi was also the league's top assist provider with 18 goals in addition to his 31 goals. He scored 53 goals in all competitions this season, becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer and the first player in Spanish football to reach the 50-goal mark.

Messi's debut in 2011-2012 season as Messi morphed into a slew of a number 8, a 9 (scorer), and a 10 (assistant). He started the season by assisting Barcelona in both Spanish and European Super Cups; in the Supercopa de Espaa, he scored three times over Real Madrid to win 5–4 aggregate over Ral as the competition's all-time top scorer with eight goals. He scored twice in the FIFA Club World Cup final, a 4–0 victory over Santos, gaining the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament as he had done two years before. After Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten's efforts in 2011, he earned the FIFA Ballon d'Or for his efforts in 2011, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times. He also received the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, a revival of the old-style Ballon d'Or. Messi was already one of the top footballers in history by then, alongside players like Diego Maradona and Pelé.

Messi's goalscoring form in the second half of the season continued last year, he set new records. He scored five times in a Champions League last 16-round match against Bayer Leverkusen on March 7, two weeks after scoring four goals in a league match against Valencia, an unprecedented feat in the tournament's history. This feat included five assists in addition to being the joint top assist provider with five assists, tying José Altafini's record from the 1962-63 season, as well as his second appearance after Gerd Müller to be the top scorer in four campaigns. Messi became Barcelona's top goalscorer at 24 years old on Wednesday, beating Granada's 83 goals in a hat-trick.

Barcelona's four-year run under Guardiola, one of the club's finest periods in history, came to an end, despite Messi's individual appearances. Although Barcelona won the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao on May 25th, the team's 14th title of the season, was eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid, with Messi missing a critical second-leg penalty kick against the crossbar. Messi scored all four goals against Espanyol in Barça's last home league match on May 5th, but he didn't come out to greet Guardiola, who had announced his resignation as boss. He finished the season as the top scorer in Spain and Europe for the second time in his career, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all competitions tied Gerd Müller's 67 goals, making him the single-season top scorer in European club football.

Messi was coached by Tito Vilanova, who was first coached him at La Masia in the second half of 2012, and the team gained their best-ever start to a La Liga season, winning 5 points by the game's midway point, a record in Spanish football. Messi and Bayern Munich scored in 1992 and West Germany on a double, beating César Rodrs record of 190 league goals, becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer, and beating Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year, defeating his 85 goals scored in 1972. After losing his 40-year record, Messi sent Müller a number 10 Barcelona shirt signed "with respect and admiration." Messi had scored 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina at the end of the year. Although FIFA did not acknowledge the achievement, citing verification issues, Guinness World Records named him for the most goals recorded in a calendar year. Messi, the odds-on favourite, won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the second time, becoming the first player to win the Ballon d'Or four times.

Barcelona had virtually guaranteed their La Liga crown by the start of 2013, almost beating Real Madrid's 100-point record from last season. However, their results in the second half of the 2012–13 campaign deteriorated, along with Vilanova's absence due to ill health. They were nearly eliminated in the first knockout round of the Champions League, including the Copa del Rey semi-finals, but Messi's return to form in the second leg led to a 4–0 win. Messi, who is now in his ninth senior season with Barcelona, has signed a new deal on February 7th, committing himself to the club until 2020, though his hourly salary climbed to €13 million. He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, against Rayo Vallecano in a league match; by then, he had arguably surpassed only by former Barcelona players Josep Samitier, László Kubala, and Johan Cruyff. Since his introduction as a false nine three years ago, his contribution to the team's attack has increased; from 24% in their treble-winning campaign to more than 40% this season.

The muscular injuries that had previously plagued Messi resurfaced after four largely injury-free seasons. After suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain on April 2, his appearances became more sporadic. Messi came off the bench in the second half and helped create their game-tying goal, which allowed them to advance to the semi-finals. He was ineffective during his first leg against Bayern Munich and was unable to play at all during the second leg, when Barcelona defeated Barcelona 7–0 on aggregate by the eventual champions. These games gave rise to the belief that Messidependencia, Barcelona's apparent tactical and psychological dependence on their main protagonist, Messidependencia.

Messi continued to suffer with injury throughout 2013, eventually working with his long-time personal physiotherapist. On May 12, he snapped a streak of 21 consecutive league games, including a four-goal performance against Osasuna, before becoming the first player to score consecutively against all 19 opposition teams in La Liga. He played in all competitions, including 46 goals in La Liga, for the second year in a row, becoming the first player in history to win the European Golden Shoe three times in consecutive years. Messi, the former manager of his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys, sustained his fifth injury of 2013 on October 10th, leaving him sidelined for two months. Despite his injuries, he was chosen runner-up for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, reversing the honour after a four-year monopoly to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Doubility about Messi's form arose during the second half of the 2013–14 season, contributing to a suspicion among the cultes that he was reserving himself for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His contribution to goals, shots, and passes had significantly decreased in comparison to previous seasons. Despite tying two long-standing records in a span of seven days, he beat Paulino Alcántara's 369 goals to become Barcelona's top goalcorer in all competitions, including friendlies, on March 16, as the all-time top scorer in El Clásico defeated former Real Madrid player Alfredo Di Stéfano's 18 goals were scored. Messi ended the season with his worst output in five years, but he did score 41 goals in all competitions. Barcelona lost the Copa del Rey final to Atlético Madrid for the first time in five years; the team was defeated by sections of fans at the Camp Nou in the last game. Messi signed a new deal on May 19th, the highest salary in the sport, after ongoing rumors about his future with the club. Vilanova was implicated in persuading Messi to hold on despite Mourinho's Chelsea's strong interest in it.

Messi, the incoming chief and former captain of Luis Enrique, made a decent start to the 2014-15 season, allowing him to smash three more longstanding records before the year's end. As he reached the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra, a hat-trick scored against Sevilla on November 22nd, making him the all-time top scorer in La Liga. On December 7, 2010, he beat César Rodroz as the all-time top scorer in the Derbi barcelon with 12 goals against city rivals Espanyol. Messi came in second second place in the FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, owing to his second-place finish with Argentina at the World Cup.

Barcelona were expected to have another disappointing season to the season, with renewed rumors that Messi was leaving the club in the media. Barça's attacking trident of Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar were killed in a match on January 11-1, the first time Barça's attacking trident of Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar scored in a match, signaling the start of a fruitful run. Messi had returned to his old spot on the right wing late this year, according to Suárez, their striker. He regained his best form from there, while Suárez and Neymar ended the team's attack on their star player's dependence on their supporting team. Messi's 58 goals, the trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions this season, a record in Spanish football.

Messi won 1–0 away victory over Atlético Madrid on May 17th, securing the La Liga trophy at the end of the season. Among his 43 league goals this season was a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano on 8 March, his 32nd hat-trick for Barcelona; he defeated Telmo Zarra with the most hat-tricks in Spanish football. With 18 he overtook Luis Figo with the most assists in La Liga on Sunday, his record 106th assist in a game against Levante, in which he also scored a hat-trick. Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in the Copa del Rey final on May 30, scoring their sixth double in their history. Messi scored twice. His first goal was praised as one of the best in his career; he collected the ball near the halfway line and defeated four players; then feinting the goalkeeper to score in a tight space by the near post.

Messi scored twice and set up another in their 3–0 semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, now under Guardiola's stewardship. His second goal, which came just three minutes after his first, saw him chip the ball over goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after he was dragged down to the ground, making the defender's second goal of the season, and was voted the best goal of the year by UEFA. Barcelona advanced to the final on June 6 in Berlin, defeating Juventus 3–1 to win their second treble, becoming the first team in history to do so. Even though Messi did not score, he played in each of his team's goals, especially in the second, where he compelled a parried save from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who scored the match-winning goal on the rebound. Messi finished the season as the joint top scorer with ten goals, earning him the honor of being the first player to reach the top scoring record in five Champions League seasons, in addition to being the top assist provider with six assists. For his efforts during the season, he received the UEFA Best Player in Europe award for the second time.

In Barcelona's 5–4 victory (after extra time) over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, Messi opened the 2015–16 season by scoring twice from free kicks. In a 1–1 home draw to Roma on September 16, he became the youngest player to make 100 appearances in the UEFA Champions League. On Monday, he returned to action following a knee injury, beating Real Madrid in El Clásico by 4–0. Messi capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final on Sunday, collecting his fifth club trophy of the year as Barcelona defeated River Plate 3–0 in Yokohama. Messi scored in his 500th appearance for Barcelona on December 30th in a 4–0 home win over Real Betis.

Messi claimed the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the fifth time in his career on January 11, 2016. In Barcelona's 7–0 victory over Valencia in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals at the Camp Nou on February 3rd, he scored a hat-trick on 3 February. Messi helped Suárez from a penalty kick in a 6–1 home win over Celta Vigo in the league. Some viewed it as "a touch of genius," while others sluggish to the opposition. The Celta players never complained or their coach defended the penalty, saying, "Barca's forwards are extremely kind." Many supporters have expressed surprise that the penalty had been compared to that of Barça king Johan Cruyff in 1982, who was fighting lung cancer, causing many fans to claim that it was a tribute to him. Cruyff himself was "very happy" with the performance, claiming that "it was legal and entertaining."

Messi scored his 300th league goal in a 1–3 victory over Sporting de Gijón on February 17th. In Barcelona's 0–2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League tournament, Barcelona's 10,000th in official competitions came a few days later. Messi's 500th senior career goal for club and country in Barcelona's 2–1 home loss to Valencia ended a five-match scoring drought on April 17th. Messi won the 2016 Copa del Rey Final by a score of 2–0 extra time over Sevilla in Barcelona's 2–0 extra time victory over Sevilla in the second consecutive season. Messi's attacking trio managed a season of 131 goals, the highest number since the previous season.

Messi opened the 2016-17 season by lifting the 2016 Supercopa de Espaa as Barcelona's captain in the absence of injured Andrés Iniesta's absence; he led Munir's goal in a 2–0 away win over Sevilla in the first leg on August 14; later, he scored in a 3–0 win in the return leg. Barcelona beat Real Betis 6–2 in the first game of the 2016–17 La Liga season three days later, with he scoring two goals. Messi won by 7–0 in the first game of the 2016–17 Champions League season against Celtic on September 13th; it was also Messi's sixth hat-trick in the Champions League, the most by any player. Messi sustained a groin injury in a 1–1 draw with Atlético Madrid a week later and was ruled out of action for three weeks. In a 4–0 home win over Deportivo de La Corua on October 16, he celebrated his return with a goal three minutes after coming off the bench in a 4–0 home victory over Deportivo de La Corua. Barcelona defeated Manchester City 4–0, three days after this, he netted his thirty-seventh club hat-trick. Messi scored his 54th Champions League group stage goal in Barcelona's 3–1 away loss to Manchester City on November 1st, beating Ral's previous record of 53 goals.

Messi finished the year with 51 goals, making him Europe's top scorer one, one behind Zlatan Ibrahimovi. Messi also finished in second place in the 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award after finishing second in second place in the 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award, behind Cristiano Ronaldo once more. Messi scored from a free kick in Barcelona's 3–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the Copa del Rey's second leg of the competition on January 11th; he equaled the club's all-time record, which had previously been set by Ronald Koeman. Messi won in 5–0 over Las Palmas on January 14th, raising Ral's record for the most teams scored against in La Liga (35).

Messi's 27th free-kick for Barcelona over a 3–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the league on February 4, overtaking Koeman as the club's all-time top-scorer from free-kicks. Messi scored twice in a 3–2 away victory over Real Madrid on April 23. His game-winning goal in stoppage time was his 500th for Barcelona. He wore his Barcelona shirt and holding it up to empassioned Real Madrid supporters, who erupted in their ferocious presence. Messi scored a goal and set up another for Paco Alcácer in the 2017 Copa del Rey Final, helping Barcelona defeat Alavés 3–1 on May 27 and was named Man of the Match. Messi's career was his best in the world in total, with 54 goals in La Liga, his 37 goals in La Liga winning both the Pichichi and European Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career.

Messi started the 2017-18 season by converting a penalty in Barcelona's 1–3 first leg home loss to Real Madrid in Supercopa de Espaa. Messi also increased his El Clásico goalscoring record by scoring his 24th official and 25th overall. Messi scored his first hat-trick of the 2017-18 league season on September 9th against Espanyol in Derbi barcelon, thereby helping Blaugrana beat local rivals 5–0 at home. Messi netted twice against Gianluigi Buffon on September 12th, as Barça defeated the Italian champions Juventus 3–0 at home in the UEFA Champions League, defeating the last season's Italian champions Juventus 3–0 at home. Messi found the net four times in a 6–1 demolition of Eibar at the Camp Nou in La Liga on September 19th. Messi surpassed his former colleague Carles Puyol to become the third highest appearance maker in the club's history on October 1st, when assisting Barça in defeating Las Palmas 3–0 and later adding two players to his 594th official game; the Camp Nou was played behind closed doors in Catalonia due to ongoing violence in Catalonia relating to the ongoing independence referendum.

Messi scored his 97th UEFA Champions League goal, as well as his 100th in all UEFA club competitions, in a 3–1 home win over Olympiacos on October 18th. Messi was only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo's to reach this century milestone, but he did it in 21 fewer appearances than his Portuguese counterpart. In a 2–1 home win over Sevilla in La Liga on November 4, he made his 600th appearance for Barcelona in his 600th appearance for the city. Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona on November 25th, extending his contract with the club through the 2020–21 seasons following the premiere of his fourth Golden Boot. The buyout price was set at €700 million. Messi won 3–0 home over Levante on January 7, 2018, marking his 400th league assist and 365th league goal for the club in one of Europe's top five divisions. In a 4–2 away victory over Real Sociedad a week later, he broke the record by scoring his 366th La Liga goal from a free kick.

In a 1–0 home win over Atlético Madrid in La Liga on March 4, he scored his 600th senior goal from a free kick on March 4th. Messi scored his 99th and 100th Champions League goals in a 3–0 home win over Chelsea on March 14th, becoming only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this milestone after his Portuguese counterpart had fewer shots than his Portuguese counterpart. Barcelona's opening goal, which came after only two minutes and eight seconds, was also the fastest of his career, as the team advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament for the eleventh consecutive season. In a 3–1 victory over Leganés on April 7, he scored his sixth goal scored from a free kick for the season, beating former teammate Ronaldinho's record set for the season. He scored 34 goals over the season, earning him his fifth Golden Shoe award. Messi scored Barcelona's second goal in a 5–0 victory over Sevilla in the 2018 Copa del Rey Final on April 21—his 40th of the season; Suárez's second goal later in the tournament; this was Barcelona's fourth straight title and their 20th overall. Messi won 4–2 away over Deportivo de La Corua on April 29, giving Barcelona their 25th league victory. Barcelona beat Villarreal 5-1 on May 9th to tie the longest unbeaten streak (43 games) in La Liga history. Messi scored on May 9th.

Messi was named the team's new captain after the departure of former captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018. Following a 2–1 victory over Sevilla, he lifted his first title as Barcelona's captain, the Supercopa de Espaa. Messi scored twice in Barcelona's first La Liga match of the season on August 19th, scoring a free kick under the jumping Alavés wall for the first time in La Liga, beating Alavés 3–0, their first La Liga match of the season, beating them 31-0 for the first time in La Liga. Messi won 4–0 home over PSV Eindhoven in Barcelona's first Champions League group stage match of the season on September 18, a new record for most hat-tricks in the league. Messi won by 4–2 home over Sevilla on October 20th, but he was forced to leave in the 26th minute after falling awkwardly and injuring his right arm; tests later revealed he had fractured his radial bone, effectively ending him out for about three weeks. Messi scored two free kicks on December 8th, his ninth and tenth goals from set pieces during the calendar year; it was the first time he had seen such a feat in La Liga. His first goal was also his 10th league goal of the season, making him the first player to reach double figures in La Liga for 13 seasons in a row.

Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal in his 435th league appearance in a 3–0 home victory over Eibar on January 13, becoming the first player to have this tally in just one of Europe's top five leagues. Messi scored twice in a 2–2 draw against Valencia on February 2nd, his first goal in La Liga history after Cristiano Ronaldo and Hugo Sánchez scored 50 points in the tournament, marking his third appearance in the league. Messi's future was revealed later this month, and the club revealed that they had begun planning for his exit from the club. Messi scored his 50th hat-trick of his career and later assisted Suárez in their 4–2 victory over Sevilla in La Liga on February 23; his aim was also his 650th career goal for club and country at senior level. Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home win over Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Sunday, giving Barcelona a 4–0 aggregate victory; these were also his first goals in the Champions League quarter-finals since 2013.

Messi came off the bench and scored the only goal in a 1–0 home victory over Levante, which allowed Barcelona to clinch the league title and his first in the league; this was his 450th La Liga appearance and his first as Barcelona's captain. Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League; his second goal of the match, a 35-yard free kick, was his second goal of the season, all of which had been scored with Barcelona. Barcelona suffered a 4–0 away loss in the return leg at Anfield, which saw Liverpool progress to the final 4–3 on aggregate. Messi scored twice in Barcelona's final La Liga match of the season on May 19th, marking his 49th and 50th goals of the season, while also claiming his sixth Pichichi Trophy as the league's top scorer with 36 goals in 34 appearances; with six titles, he tied for the most top-scoring awards in La Liga. He also received his sixth Golden Shoe award, as well as his third straight award since the 2016-2017 season. Messi scored his final goal of the season in a 2–1 loss to Valencia in the 2019 Copa del Rey Final on May 25th.

Messi would miss Barcelona's US tour after suffering a right calf injury, according to the organiser on 5 August. Messi's chipped goal against Real Betis was nominated for the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award on August 19th. Following his return of his calf injury, which had ruled him out of the season's first game, he was out indefinitely, and he was only expected to return to action with Barcelona after the September international break. Messi was shortlisted for both the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award and the 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player Award on September 2nd, with Messi winning the latter on September 23rd.

Messi made his first appearance of the season on September 17th, and he scored his first goal of the season on October 6 in a 4–0 home win over Sevilla; this was his 420th goal in La Liga, which saw him smash Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 419 goals scored in Europe's top five leagues. Messi scored his first Champions League goal of the season on Sunday in a 2–1 away win over Slavia Prague, becoming the first player to score in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons (excluding qualifying rounds). He also tied Ral and Cristiano Ronaldo for the most players scored against in the tournament (33). Messi scored in a 5–1 home victory over Real Valladolid in La Liga on October 29th; his first goal – a set piece from 35 yards – was his 50th free kick of his career. His efforts (608) saw him surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's senior goal tally (606) at the club level. In a 4–1 home victory over Celta Vigo on September 9, Messi scored three goals (including two free kicks) on a 4–1 win. This was his 34th hat-trick in La Liga, tying Cristiano Ronaldo's Spanish top-flight record. Messi scored one goal and assisted two others in a 3–1 home victory over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Friday, on November 27th, his 700th appearance for Barcelona. Dortmund was the 34th team he had scored against in the league, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Ral's previous record of 33 points. Messi was given his sixth Ballon d'Or on December 2nd. Messi scored his 35th hat-trick in La Liga on December 8th with three goals in Barcelona's 5–2 victory over Mallorca.

Messi scored four goals in a 5–0 home victory over Eibar in La Liga on February 22, 2020. He scored in a 4–0 away victory over Mallorca on June 14th, becoming the first player in La Liga to score 20 goals or more in 12 seasons. He scored a panenka in a 2–2 home draw against Atlético Madrid in La Liga on June 30 to reach his 700th goal in his senior career for Barcelona and Argentina. Messi scored his 20th goal and 20 assists in a single La Liga season from 2008 to 2009 in one of Europe's top-five leagues, scoring 20 goals and 20 assists in a single La Liga season from 2008 to 2009, beating Thierry Henry in 2000 and 2009 for 20 goals and 20 assists. Messi won his fifth Pichichi trophy and top assist provider in La Liga on May 20th, defeating Zarra in a 5–0 away victory over Alavés in the final match of the season, with 25 goals and 21 assists; however, Barcelona missed out on the league championship to Real Madrid. Messi scored the second goal and earned a third goal in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Napoli at the Camp Nou on August 9th, leading his team to a 3–1 victory and qualifying 4–2 on aggregate against Bayern Munich. Messi suffered his first loss as a player when Bayern Munich defeated Barcelona 8–2 in a one-off tie in Lisbon on August 15, resulting in another disappointing departure from the Champions League.

Barcelona revealed on August 25th, 2020, after growing dissatisfaction with the club's course both on and off the track. The news attracted a lot of press coverage, including from current and former colleagues (who supported Messi's tweet) and Catalan president Quim Torra. Barcelona's sporting director Ramon Planes reiterated the club's commitment to "build a team around the world's most important player" and said Messi would only be allowed to leave if a buyer pays his €700 million buyout clause, which would have allowed him to leave the club for free), but Messi's contract could only be exercised if the deadline was postponed until the 20th of August, according to the player's representatives; if not, Messi's deal and buyout clause are still in place, according to a statement released by the La Liga on August 30th.

Lionel's father and agent released a statement on September 4th, saying that the waiver clause "is not valid when the player's unilateral decision from the end of the 2019-20 season" is not applicable; La Liga released a statement reiterating their statement that was released on August 30. Messi revealed in an interview with Goal that he would continue at Barcelona for the final year of his deal. Messi said in the interview that he told Barcelona of his intention to leave multiple times, and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Messi would decide whether or not he wanted to stay or depart throughout the season, but Bartomeu would refer to the release clause. Messi was left with two choices: to stay or go to court against the club, with the player claiming, "I would never go to court against the club of my life."

Messi began the 2020-21 season by scoring a penalty against Villarreal in La Liga on September 27. "Nothing surprises me any more" two days before the game, this time for Luis Suárez's departure, saying, "at this stage nothing surprises me any more." Messi scored a penalty in a 5–1 home win over Ferencváros in the Champions League on Sunday, becoming the first player to score in sixteen consecutive Champions League seasons. Messi was nominated for the 2020 Best FIFA Men's Player award on November 25 and later selected as one of the top three candidates. Messi scored his team's fourth goal in their 4–0 victory over Osasuna on November 29. He unveiled a shirt of his former team Newell's Old Boys, in honor of Argentine compatriot Diego Maradona, who died four days earlier, and held both hands to the stadium television portraying Maradona's face. The shirt was a number 10 replica of Maradona's jersey during his time with the club in 1993. Messi finished third in The Best FIFA Men's Player award behind Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo, and was the fourth year in a row.

Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona against Real Valladolid in La Liga on December 23rd, defeating Pelé with Santos as the player with the most goals scored for a single team. Budweiser provided personalized bottles of beer to every goalkeeper against whom Messi has scored. Messi was banned from playing violent conduct in Asier Villalibre's final minutes against Athletic Bilbao on January 17, 2021, for the first time in his club career (swinging an arm at the top of Asier Villalibre, which was initially called off by the referee but then reviewed via VAR) in Barcelona's 2–3 extra time loss to Athletic Bilbao in the 2020–21 Supercopa de Espaa Final. Messi scored from 35 yards out and later had a penalty saved in a 1–1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League bracket of 16 at the Parc des Princes on March 10 for the first time in 14 years, losing 1–4 at home on Sunday, with Messi scoring Barcelona's first goal in the game. Messi scored two goals in a 4–1 victory over Huesca on March 15, 2015. With the first goal, he became the first footballer to score at least 20 goals in 13 years in the top five European leagues. He crossed Xavi's record of 768 appearances on Sunday, winning a 6–1 away victory over Real Sociedad on March 21. Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4–0 in the 2021 Copa del Rey Final on Saturday, Messi scored twice. With his second goal, he ended Gerd Müller's record of 30 plus goals in 12 consecutive club seasons, a new record of 13. Messi also defeated former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs as the most decorated footballer for a single club with his 35th trophy with Barcelona. Messi scored his 30th league goal of the season in a 1–2 home loss to Celta Vigo on May 16th, his final goal and match in a Barcelona shirt.

Messi, the top goalscorer in La Liga, was crowned the champion of the Pichichi trophy for the eighth time in his career. It was also his fifth straight victory in La Liga, defeating Alfredo Di Stéfano and Hugo Sánchez, both of Real Madrid, and Jean-Pierre Papin, the best five leagues in Europe, with five consecutive awards.

Messi became a free agent after his deal came to an end on July 1st, with talks on a new contract being complicated due to financial constraints in Barcelona. Messi would not be staying at the club, according to both teams, although they had reached an understanding and were set to sign a contract on the same day. Messi's departure was due to the club's financial and organizational difficulties posed by La Liga rules. Messi's resignation was also blamed on the previous board, according to club president Joan Laporta, "the actual debt is much higher, and we have no room for salary." Messi revealed he would leave Barcelona three days later in a tearful press conference held at the Camp Nou.

Messi joined French club Paris Saint-Germain on August 10th. He has been a member of the National Football Association for two years until June 2023, with the possibility of an additional year. Messi selected 30 for his squad number, the same he wore as a child when he made his senior debut for Barcelona.

Messi made his club debut on August 29th, appearing as a replacement in the second half of a 2–0 away victory over Reims in Ligue 1. In a 1-1 away draw against Club Brugge on September 15, he made his first appearance and Champions League debut for the club. Messi won by 2–1 over Lyon, his home debut for PSG in a four-day victory. In a 2–0 Champions League group stage victory over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on September 28th, he scored his first goal for the club, a strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. Messi scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 3–1 home win over Nantes on November 21. PSG defeated Saint-Étienne 3–1 away from home later this month, with a hat-trick of assists for the fifth time in his career. Messi, who has scored 40 goals on club and international level and aided Argentina win the 2021 Copa América, won his seventh Ballon d'Or on November 29th.

Messi had tested positive for COVID-19 on January 2nd, 2022, PSG announced that he had gone on to miss two league games and one cup match. He returned to action against Reims, where he came as a replacement in the second half and scored in PSG's third goal in a 4–0 home win. Messi and his colleague Neymar were booed by some of the PSG faithfuls at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, following their Champions League elimination in the round of 16, Messi and his teammate Neymar were booed by some of the team's supporters. "To judge Messi in this way is unfair," Messi said, not just in a new league and with new teammates, but also on a family level." PSG clinch their 10th Ligue 1 title after scoring outside the 18-yard box in a 1–1 draw against Lens at home on Sunday. Messi had 11 goals and 14 assists in his debut season, as well as 11 assists in all leagues. For the first time since 2005-06, he failed to reach double figure league goals, putting the season in jeopardy with 6.

Messi kicked off the new season by scoring PSG's first goal against Nantes in the Trophée des Champions, winning his second trophy with the club this season.

International career

Messi, a dual Argentine-Spanish national, was eligible to represent both countries' national team. After Barcelona's director of football, Carles Rexach, alerted the Royal Spanish Football Federation to their under-17 squad, selectors for Spain's Under-17 squad began investigating him in 2003. Messi declined the bid after having aspired to represent La Albiceleste since childhood. The Argentine Football Association organized two under-20 friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay in June 2004, with the intention of determining his place as an Argentina player in FIFA. In their 8-0 victory, he made his international debut against Paraguay, scoring once and providing two assists. He was then included in the South American Youth Championship, which was held in Colombia in February 2005. In six of the nine games, he lacked the stamina of his teammates as a result of his ex growth hormone deficiency. He scored the winning 2–1 goal in the crucial last game against Venezuela after being named man of the match against Venezuela, securing their third-place qualification for the FIFA World Youth Championship.

Messi, who was aware of his physical limitations, used a personal trainer to increase his muscle mass, returning to the squad in a better shape in June for the World Youth Championship, which was hosted by the Netherlands. The squad's senior players begged Messi to start after being left out of the starting lineup in their first match against the United States, a 1–0 loss, to determine him as their best player. Messi was instrumental in the team's victory over Egypt and Germany after progressing beyond the group stage, scoring their equalizer against Colombia and assisting the team in the knockout phase as he scored their equalizer against Colombia, as well as scoring their first goal against reigning champions Brazil. He was named the best player of the tournament by the Golden Ball ahead of the final. In Argentina's 2–1 win over Nigeria, he scored two points in their 2–1 victory over Nigeria, clinching Argentina's fifth championship and finishing the tournament as the top scorer with 6 goals. His performances compared him to compatriot Diego Maradona, who had coached Argentina to the title in 1979.

Messi was given his first call-up for a friendly against Hungary on August 17, 2005, in honor of his service on the under-20 team. Messi, 18, made his Argentina debut in the Ferenc Puskás Stadium in the 63rd minute but was eventually suspended after two minutes for a suspected foul against Vilmos Vanczák, who had grabbed his shirt; Messi struck the defender with his arm while attempting to remove him; a contentious decision. Following his dismissal, Messi was reportedly weeping in the dressing room. He returned to the team on September 3rd in a World Cup qualifier loss to Paraguay, where he had announced his "re-debut" ahead of the match. Messi played his first game against Peru in which he was able to score a crucial penalty that resulted in their victory. Pékerman referred to him as a "jewel" after the match. He made regular appearances for the team before Argentina's participation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring his first goal against Croatia on March 1st. A hamstring injury suffered a week later, but he was still selected for Pékerman's squad and regained fitness in time for the tournament's launch.

Messi scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 home victory over Bolivia in a 2022 World Cup qualifier, which also placed him above Pelé as South America's top male international scorer with 79 goals.

Messi made his World Cup finals appearance at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022. Messi scored Argentina's first goal on a penalty, becoming the first player since the last-16 round was introduced in 1986 to score in each round of a single World Cup edition.

Source

The Lionel Messi Experience: construction begins on Miami's $50m 'immersive adventure' experience which opens in April and offers never-before-seen insight into star's life

www.dailymail.co.uk, March 28, 2024
Construction has begun on the $50million interactive multimedia experience detailing Lionel Messi's journey to superstardom, which opens in Miami in April. Messi has dominated the headlines since his move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami last year.  And thousands of fans have already bought tickets for the 75-minute journey through Messi's life and career, which will kick-off in Miami before going on tour to 150 cities around the world.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's visit to New England could break the Revolution's attendance record... with over 60,000 tickets already sold for the Herons' April 27 trip to Foxborough

www.dailymail.co.uk, March 27, 2024
Demand for tickets to see Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have forced the New England Revolution to open the upper bowl at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough - and they might have a sellout on their hands. According to the team, less than 5,000 tickets remain for the contest - with the figure well on track to pass the club's previous attendance record of 61,316 set for the 2002 MLS Cup final when the Revs hosted the LA Galaxy. Per ESPN, the old regular-season attendance record for the Revs at a home game dates back to 1997 - when they hosted the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the first game of a doubleheader, which was followed by a Mexico-United States World Cup Qualifying match.

EXCLUSIVE: 'They treated us like we were dogs, not human beings': Israeli hostage describes hell endured while captive... and first account of dramatic rescue by IDF 'with gunfire in all directions like a movie'

www.dailymail.co.uk, March 27, 2024
After 129 days cowering under the armed guard of cruel Hamas terrorists in Gaza, Luis Har believed his luck had finally run out. At 2am a huge explosion threw the 71-year-old accountant from his mattress and ripped off the door from his tiny cell-like room. He rolled away from the blast fearing the two-storey apartment where he was held with his girlfriend's brother, Fernando Marman, 60, had been destroyed. But in the chaos he felt an arm grab his leg and, for the first time in over four months, a stranger speaking Hebrew. He froze as he heard the impossible words: "Luis, it's the IDF - we came to take you home." Suddenly all the pressure was released,' Mr Har told the Daily Mail as he recounted his extraordinary rescue for the first time in Tel Aviv .
Lionel Messi Tweets and Instagram Photos
17 Jan 2024

Vamos 👟⚠️ adidasfootball

Posted by @leomessi on

1 Jan 2024

Feliz 2024 !!

Posted by @leomessi on