Player: Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini

Nationality: Argentina

• Date of birth: 24 June 1987
• Place of birth: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
• Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
• Preferred foot: Left
• Primary positions: Right winger, False nine, Attacking midfielder / Forward

Club career (key clubs)

• FC Barcelona (senior debut 2004 – 2021)
  • Appearances (all competitions): 778
  • Goals (all competitions): 672
  • Role: Club icon and long-time captain; central figure in Barcelona’s dominant era under several coaches
• Later clubs: Paris Saint-Germain (2021–2023), Inter Miami (joined 2023)

International career

• National team: Argentina
• Longtime captain and talisman; major tournament successes include winning the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup (also awarded the 2022 World Cup Golden Ball)
• Also an Olympic gold medalist with Argentina (Beijing 2008)

Major honours (selected)

• Ballon d'Or: 7 times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021)
• UEFA Champions League: 4 titles with Barcelona (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
• La Liga: 10 titles with Barcelona
• Copa América: 2021 (Argentina)
• FIFA World Cup: 2022 (Argentina)
• Olympic Gold Medal: 2008 (Argentina)

Notable records & achievements

• Barcelona’s all-time top scorer (672 goals)
• Most goals for a single club in official matches (surpassed previous records while at Barcelona)
• La Liga all-time top scorer (record goals scored in the Spanish league)
• Most goals in a calendar year: 91 goals (2012)

Playing style

• Exceptional dribbling close to goal, low center of gravity, quick changes of direction and pace
• Creative playmaking: high vision, key passes and assists in addition to prolific scoring
• Versatile attacking role: has played as a winger, false nine and attacking midfielder throughout his career

Legacy

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His long tenure at FC Barcelona established numerous club and individual records and he played a central role in one of the most successful eras in the club’s history. Internationally, he led Argentina to major trophies including the Copa América and the FIFA World Cup.