He's like a PlayStation. [168][486] Messi was second on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes (after Cristiano Ronaldo) with income of $81.4 million from his salary and endorsements in 2015–16. [96] At 22 years old, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, both times by the greatest voting margin in each trophy's history. [323][324] He did not play in the quarter-final against Germany, during which Argentina were eliminated 4–2 in a penalty shootout. [152], – Defender Gerard Piqué explains Barcelona's reliance on an unfit Messi against Paris Saint-Germain in April 2013. Their 4–0 loss was their worst margin of defeat at a World Cup since 1974. [422], Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles;[423][424] this has led the Spanish media to dub him La Pulga Atómica ("The Atomic Flea"). [443][444] Under manager Ernesto Valverde, Messi played in a variety of roles. İspaniyanın "Barselona" klubunun və Argentina milli futbol komandasının heyətində çıxış edir. [18][24][25], After a year at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, Messi was finally enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in February 2002. Messi consequently started the game against the Netherlands, a 0–0 draw, as they won their group on goal differential. "[401] Croatia midfielder Luka Modrić also stated post match, "Messi is an incredible player but he can't do everything alone. [338] Overall, Messi scored four goals in 18 appearances during the qualifying process. [400] In Argentina's second game of the 2018 World Cup on 21 June, the team lost 3–0 to Croatia. [531], Since leaving for Spain at age 13, Messi has maintained close ties to his hometown of Rosario, even preserving his distinct Rosarino accent. [356] Within the first half-hour, Messi had started the play that led to a goal, but it was ruled offside. [244], With the departure of former captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the team's new captain for the following season. During the Clásico on 2 May 2009, however, he played for the first time as a false nine, positioned as a centre-forward but dropping deep into midfield to link up with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. [263], On 5 August 2019, it was announced that Messi would miss Barcelona's US tour after sustaining a right calf injury. "[431] Beyond his individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player, known for his creative combinations, in particular with former Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. [21][22] His goalscoring idol growing up was Ronaldo, with Messi calling him "the best forward I've ever seen". ", "Messi, Suarez team up for audacious penalty kick", "Leo Messi breaks the 300 goal barrier in the league", "Barça reach 10,000 goals in official competition", "Messi scores 500th goal: Barcelona star nets milestone", "Messi, Suárez and Neymar Jr end season with 131 goals", "Lionel Messi is bigger than Barcelona and indispensable – Javier Mascherano", "Luis Suarez plunders hat-trick, Lionel Messi scores twice as Barca smash six past Betis", "Leo Messi out for three weeks | FC Barcelona", "Lionel Messi Scores in His Return as Barcelona Roll Past Deportivo La Coruña", "Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as 10-man Manchester City lost 4–0 on Pep Guardiola's return to Barcelona in the Champions League", "Watch Lionel Messi score to pass Raul for most goals in the UCL group stage", "Top goal scorers in 2016: Messi claims crown, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo follow", "Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best FIFA Men's Player 2016 award", "Lionel Messi equals Ronald Koeman's Barcelona free-kick record", "Watch Lionel Messi match record for the most La Liga teams scored against", "Lionel Messi embarrasses Gorka Iraizoz with free-kick for Barcelona", "Lionel Messi scores 500th goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid", "Real Madrid-Barcelona: Celebrations in enemy territory", "Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona to Copa del Rey final triumph against Alavés", "Messi receives fourth Golden Shoe Award: Each day I enjoy it more", "Ronaldo goal, red card in Real Madrid win against Barcelona", "Leo Messi and Luis Suárez call for optimism", "Lionel Messi's hat trick guides Barcelona's win over local rivals Espanyol", "Lionel Messi scores twice as Barcelona get revenge on Juventus in UCL", "Lionel Messi creates something from nothing for Barcelona – Valverde", "Barcelona 3–0 Las Palmas: Lionel Messi nets brace in front of empty Nou Camp – 5 talking points", "Messi emulates Ronaldo with 100th European goal", "Lionel Messi marks 600th Barcelona appearance in win over Sevilla", "Lionel Messi signs new deal through 2020/21 season", "Faster and younger than rival Ronaldo – Magical Messi's 100 Champions League goals in Opta numbers", "Lionel Messi scores 100th Champions League goal in Barcelona's 3–0 victory over Chelsea", "Lionel Messi equals the record of Ronaldinho", "Messi Wins Fifth Golden Shoe After Winning Pichichi Trophy", "FC Barcelona 5–1 Villarreal CF: Record breakers", "Lionel Messi will be Barcelona's next captain", "Lionel Messi scores Barcelona's 6,000th goal in La Liga", "Lionel Messi's eight Champions League hat tricks ranked: Which is the best? [339] Upon his first-team debut, he was moved onto the right wing by manager Frank Rijkaard; from this position, he could more easily cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch and curl shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly cross balls for teammates. [378] He stated, "I tried my hardest. [364] In the quarter-final, they created numerous chances, including a rebound header by Messi, but were repeatedly denied by Colombia's goalkeeper, and ultimately ended the match scoreless, leading to a 5–4 penalty shootout in their favour, with Messi netting his team's first spot kick. [136] He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all competitions surpassed Gerd Müller's 67 goals in the 1972–73 Bundesliga season, making him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football. [530], Messi enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family members, particularly his mother, Celia, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. [235] On 7 January 2018, Messi made his 400th La Liga appearance with Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Levante, marking the occasion with his 144th league assist and 365th league goal for the club, the latter of which saw him equal Gerd Müller's record for the most league goals scored for the same club in one of Europe's top five divisions. In February 2020, he was awarded the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, thus becoming the first footballer and also the first team sport athlete to win the award. A week later, Messi sustained a groin injury in a 1–1 draw against Atlético Madrid and was ruled out with injury for three weeks. [79] Barcelona finished the season without trophies, eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by the eventual champions, Manchester United, and placed third in the league. 2 Their sources were unconfirmed and Messi never even bothered to speak out about it. [515][516] World Press Photo selected "The Final Game", a photograph of Messi facing the World Cup trophy after Argentina's final defeat to Germany, as the best sports image of 2014. During the crucial next match, with Tevez on the bench, he gave a well-received performance, assisting two goals in their 3–0 victory over Costa Rica. [171] Messi again placed second in the FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, largely owing to his second-place achievement with Argentina at the World Cup. [423][428][435][439] Widely considered to be the best dribbler in the world,[440] and one of the greatest of all time,[441] with regard to this ability, his former Argentina manager Diego Maradona has said of him, "The ball stays glued to his foot; I've seen great players in my career, but I've never seen anyone with Messi's ball control. [382], Following his announcement, a campaign began in Argentina for Messi to change his mind about retiring. Later that year, Messi became the second footballer (and second team-sport athlete) to surpass $1 billion in career earnings. [225], Messi opened the 2017–18 season by converting a penalty in Barcelona's 1–3 first leg home defeat to Real Madrid in Supercopa de España. [222] His memorable celebration saw him taking off his Barcelona shirt and holding it up to incensed Real Madrid fans – with his name and number facing the crowd. [261] He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 2016–17 season. Lionel Andrés Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both the Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team. [377], During a repeat of the previous year's final on 26 June, Argentina once again lost to Chile on penalties after a 0–0 deadlock, resulting in Messi's third consecutive defeat in a major tournament final with Argentina, and his fourth overall. [373], On 18 June 2016, in the quarter-final of the Copa América against Venezuela, Messi produced another man of the match performance,[374] assisting two goals and scoring another in a 4–1 victory, which enabled him to equal Gabriel Batistuta's national record of 54 goals in official international matches. Offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009. [168], Under new manager and former captain Luis Enrique, Messi experienced a largely injury-free start to the 2014–15 season, allowing him to break three more longstanding records towards the end of the year. [160][161] Despite his injuries, he was voted runner-up for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, relinquishing the award after a four-year monopoly to Cristiano Ronaldo. [46][49] Barcelona, in their second season under Rijkaard, won the league for the first time in six years. ", "[Messi] is indispensable, but the rest of us are dispensable. [204] On 17 April, Messi ended a five-match scoring drought with his 500th senior career goal for club and country in Barcelona's 2–1 home loss to Valencia. However, their performances deteriorated in the second half of the 2012–13 campaign, concurrently with Vilanova's absence due to ill health. [366] At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the Most Valuable Player award but rejected the honour. [21][74][75] His efforts in 2007 also earned him award recognition; journalists voted him the third-best player of the year for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, behind Kaká and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo, while international managers and national team captains voted him second for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, again behind Kaká. Lionel Messi always supported the Newell’s Old Boys and at the age of six he joined the club, he played six years with the club and in that tenure, Lionel Messi scored more than 500 goals for the club, and Lionel Messi was also a part of the “Machine of 87”, an undisputed youth side who were named on the basis of their birth year. ", "Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend", "Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical rules", "How Luis Suarez moved Lionel Messi onto Barcelona's wing and became the best centre-forward on the planet", "Barcelona's improvement under Ernesto Valverde examined", "Barcelona top-scorer Lionel Messi explains how has role has developed under Valverde", "Dembele is going nowhere: Five things learned from Barcelona's Super Cup win v Sevilla", "Valverde returns Messi to the False 9 role", "3 ways Barcelona could line up with Coutinho", "Dissected: How the new Barcelona play – and why there's hope for Chelsea", "FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.2, Lionel Messi", "Lionel Messi misses out on World's best Playmaker 2018 title, finishes second to Real Madrid star", "How Messi went from injury-prone teenager to bionic man", "Argentina's great tactical dilemma: where should Lionel Messi play? Now playing in all competitions, he befriended his teammates, among whom were Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué. [57] He signed a new contract in July 2008 on an annual salary of €7.8 million, becoming the club's highest-paid player. Often considered the best player in the world and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record six Ballon d'Or awards[note 2] and a record six European Golden Shoes. [521] After keeping their relationship private for a year, Messi first confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009, before going public a month later during a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona–Espanyol derby. As the competition's top scorer for the third consecutive year, with 12 goals, Messi gave a man-of-the-match performance at Wembley on 28 May, scoring the match-winning goal of Barça's 3–1 victory. [357] At the conclusion of the final, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. [553], In November 2016, with the Argentine Football Association being run by a FIFA committee for emergency due to an economic crisis, it was reported that three of the national team's security staff told Messi that they had not received their salaries for six months. On his father's side, he is of Italian and Spanish descent, the great-grandson of immigrants from the northcentral Adriatic Marche region of Italy and Catalonia, and on his mother's side, he has primarily Italian ancestry. Prislužil si je tudi 6 zlatih žog. [276] On 2 December, Messi was awarded a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or. [32], During the 2003–04 season, his fourth with Barcelona, Messi rapidly progressed through the club's ranks, debuting for a record five youth teams in a single campaign. He haes Spaingie ceetizenship an aw. [310][469][470] An enduring mark against him is the fact that, through no fault of his own, he never proved himself in the Argentine Primera División as an upcoming player, achieving stardom overseas from a young age,[18][310] while his lack of outward passion for the Albiceleste shirt (he does not sing the national anthem and is disinclined to emotional displays) have in the past led to the false perception that he felt Catalan rather than truly Argentine. [331] Their unexpected loss was followed by much criticism in Argentina, though Messi was mostly exempt due to his young age and secondary status to star player Juan Román Riquelme. [372], – Gabriel Batistuta on the consolation of Messi breaking his record. Messi worked to regain fitness in time for the Champions League final, but on 17 May, the day of the final, he was eventually ruled out. [93][94] This success was reflected in a new contract, signed on 18 September, which committed Messi to the club through 2016 with a new buyout clause of €250 million, while his salary increased to €12 million. [64][65] He recovered in time for the last 16 round of the Champions League against Liverpool, but was effectively marked out of the game; Barcelona, the reigning champions, were out of the competition. [337] He wore the captain's armband for the first time in their 2–0 win against Greece; as the focal point of their play, he helped create their second goal to see Argentina finish as group winners. [491] His main sponsor since 2006 is the sportswear company Adidas. [385] On social networks, NoTeVayasLeo became a global trending topic, and even a playlist on Spotify. Barcelona thus achieved the first treble in the history of Spanish football. [394] Argentina's place in the 2018 World Cup was in jeopardy going into their final qualifying match as they were sixth in their group, outside the five possible CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying spots, meaning they risked failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970. Ta on koondises kui ka klubis kapten.. Messit peetakse laialdaselt kõigi aegade parimaks jalgpalluriks. His first goal was also his 10th league goal of the season, making him the first player ever to reach double figures in La Liga for 13 consecutive seasons. [482][483][484] From 2009–10 to 2017–18, Messi faced Ronaldo at least twice every season in El Clásico, which ranks among the world's most viewed annual sports events. On 19 August, Messi scored twice in helping Barcelona defeat Alavés 3–0 in their first La Liga match of the season, with his first goal, a free kick that he rolled under the jumping Alavés wall, making history in being Barcelona's 6000th goal in La Liga. He would dribble past four players and score a goal. Messi haes ane bairn. But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States. [270] On 23 October, Messi scored his first Champions League goal of the season in a 2–1 away win over Slavia Prague, becoming the first player to score in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons (excluding qualifying rounds). ", "Real Madrid v Barcelona: Six of the Best 'El Clásicos, "Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey", "Barcelona's Title Celebrations Marred by Violence", "Barcelona Eclipse Dream Team with Historic Treble", "Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup", "Is the Real Lionel Messi Better than the Virtual One? The team has ended for me, a decision made. Messi keeps in daily contact via phone and text with a small group of confidants in Rosario, most of whom were fellow members of "The Machine of '87" at Newell's Old Boys. [429] His former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it. Messi then helped the team secure their place in the 2014 World Cup with a 5–2 victory over Paraguay on 10 September 2013; in addition to providing an assist, he scored twice from a penalty kick, taking his international tally to 37 goals to become Argentina's second-highest goalscorer behind Batistuta. Team of All Time, List of one-club men in association football, List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals, List of footballers with 100 or more caps, List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals, UEFA club competition records and statistics, "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia: List of players: Argentina", "La selección catalana pierde ante Argentina (0-1) en un partido marcado por la política", "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players", "Messi donates to charity after libel case win", "Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015", "Stats: Messi breaks two all-time records; Ramos' unique first this century", "Messi makes it four FIFA Ballon d'Or wins in a row | Inside UEFA", "World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players: Messi Wins, Mbappe Rises", "Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina", "Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi", "Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette", "Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger", "The best quotes about Lionel Messi's 10 years at Barcelona", "All time stats for Messi in the Barça youth teams", "Ex-Teammate, La Masia Coach Recall Lionel Messi's Early Days, Persona", "Giuly remembers the first time he saw Messi 'kill' his team-mates", "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04", "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05", "Who Knew on His 2004 Debut That Lionel Messi Would Go so Far at Barcelona", "Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm", "Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite", "Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona has been kidnapped. After a 3–0 semi-final victory over Brazil, Messi assisted the only goal in the final as Argentina defeated Nigeria to claim Olympic gold medals. ", "Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid", "Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award", "FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012: Lionel Messi Rewarded for Displays No Rival Could Ever Match", "Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks Goal Record", "Messi Scores Four as Barcelona Rout Valencia", "Lionel Messi Scores Five in Barcelona Champions League Win", "UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics", "Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour", "Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona", "Pep Guardiola's Final Game: Barcelona Win Copa del Rey", "Four-Goal Lionel Messi Gives Pep Guardiola Perfect Barcelona Send-Off", "Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer", "To See Coach's Legacy at Barcelona, Just Look on Field", "Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi", "Mueller Gets Messi's No. [552] In addition to this, Messi along with his fellow FC Barcelona teammates announced he will be taking a 70% cut in salaries during the coronavirus emergency, and contribute further to the club to provide fully to salaries of all the clubs employees. [318][337] During that game, played on 28 March 2009, he wore Argentina's number 10 shirt for the first time, following the international retirement of Riquelme. [76], – Arsène Wenger commends Messi for his four–goal display against Arsenal in April 2010. After his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup during the 2006 edition, and reached the final of the 2007 Copa América, where he was named young player of the tournament. [82][83] Ahead of the new season, a major concern remained his frequent muscular injuries, which had left him side-lined for a total of eight months between 2006 and 2008. Furthermore you can also find here all of his favourite things and personalities which he likes more in his daily life. [18][424][428] His short, strong legs allow him to excel in short bursts of acceleration while his quick feet enable him to retain control of the ball when dribbling at speed. But the advantage I have is that I'm second to an extraterrestrial. [50][56], While Barcelona began a gradual decline, the 19-year-old Messi established himself as one of the best players in the world during the 2006–07 campaign. [367] As Argentina continued a trophy drought that began in 1993, the World Cup and Copa América defeats again brought intense criticism for Messi from Argentine media and fans. [509][510] He has over 175 million Instagram followers, the second highest for a sportsperson after Cristiano Ronaldo. [370] Although Messi was declared match-fit for his nation's second group match against Panama on 10 June, Martino left him on the bench once again; he replaced Augusto Fernández in the 61st minute and subsequently scored a hat-trick in 19 minutes, also starting the play which led to Sergio Agüero's goal, as the match ended in a 5–0 victory, sealing Argentina's place in the quarter-finals of the competition;[371] he was elected man of the match for his performance. [149][150] He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, on 17 March, in a league match against Rayo Vallecano; by then, he had become the team's tactical focal point to a degree that was arguably rivalled only by former Barcelona players Josep Samitier, László Kubala and Johan Cruyff. 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. [144][145] As the odds-on favourite, Messi again won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times. [67] His growing importance to the club was reflected in a new contract, signed that month, which greatly increased his wages. [319], During the World Cup in Germany, Messi witnessed their opening match victory against the Ivory Coast from the substitutes' bench. [343], After Argentina's unsuccessful performance in the Copa América, Batista was replaced by Alejandro Sabella. For the last five years, Messi has been the Maradona of the World Cup in Mexico. [46][47] Messi made his league debut during the next match on 16 October, against Espanyol, coming on in the 82nd minute. [253] On 16 April, Messi scored twice in a 3–0 home victory over Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals to give Barcelona a 4–0 aggregate win, which saw Barcelona progress to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2015; these were also his first goals in the Champions League quarter-finals since 2013. [195] After a knee injury, he returned to the pitch on 21 November, making a substitute appearance in Barcelona's 4–0 away win over rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico. At the start of the tournament, the new formation proved effective; Messi managed at least four attempts on goal during their opening match but was repeatedly denied by Nigeria's goalkeeper, resulting in a 1–0 win. [66] In the league, his goal contribution increased towards the end of the season; 11 of his 14 goals came from the last 13 games. He was subsequently included in the squad for the South American Youth Championship, held in Colombia in February 2005. [232] Messi became only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this century milestone, but accomplished it in 21 fewer appearances than the Portuguese counterpart. Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (pengucapan bahasa Spanyol: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi], lahir di Rosario, 24 Juni 1987; umur 33 tahun) adalah seorang pemain sepak bola Argentina yang saat ini bermain untuk FC Barcelona dan merupakan kapten tim nasional sepak bola Argentina dan FC Barcelona, bermain sebagai penyerang.Ia adalah pencetak gol terbanyak Barcelona sepanjang sejarah. [220], On 4 February 2017, Messi scored his 27th free-kick for Barcelona in a 3–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the league, overtaking Koeman as the club's all-time top-scorer from free-kicks. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable youth side named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds by performing ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.