Magee, Will (2 December 2019). "Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk compete for top award". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235 . Retrieved 2 December 2019. Messi has often been compared to prolific Real Madrid goalscorer Christiano Ronaldo, but both have been keen to downplay the rivalry.

Five appearances and three goals in FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five goals in Copa América Centenario Messi rechazó recoger el premio a MVP de la Copa América". Marca (in Spanish). Spain. 5 July 2015 . Retrieved 5 December 2015. Despite being from a middle-class family and being born in Argentina on June 24, 1987, Lionel Messi frequently had a difficult upbringing. His mother was a working woman and his father, Jorge Messi, was a steel mill manager. Messi's parents were passionate football supporters, which led to their kids developing a love for the sport at an early age. In 2012/13, Messi set an all-time world record of scoring in 21 consecutive games (33 goals from 21 games)Messi played his first official match for the club on October 16, 2004, coming on for Deco in the 82nd minute of a LaLiga fixture against Espanyol. That season, Messi also became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Spanish top-flight. The Best named at FIFA Football Awards". FIFA. 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018 . Retrieved 12 January 2017.

Messi has a tight-knitted relationship with his mother, Celia whose face he tattooed on his hand. Messi’s father has been his agent since the age of 14, while his elder brother manages his daily schedule and publicity, his mother and brother, Matias runs his charitable organization, The Lionel Messi Foundation. Since 2010, Messi has been a goodwill ambassador for the UNICEF. Fortunately, Messi changed his mind a few months later. That doesn’t mean that things became easier, though.Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league onlyand correct as of 23:32, 15 January 2023 (UTC) Whether it’s a friendly match, or for points, or a final, or any game—I play the same. I’m always trying to be my best, first for my team, for myself, for the fans and to try and win. Named World Player of the Year several times, Messi is widely considered as one of, if not the best soccer player of his generation. Many compare him with Cristiano Ronaldo, but for others they are not even in the same tier. Some believe Messi deserves to be compared to the likes of Pele or Maradona, but his true fans think he’s even better than any other player in history. Lionel Messi is known to be an introvert as well as a reserved individual. Lionel Messi with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo at the FIFA Football Awards 2017

Dream Team Winners Earn Sony Prizes". FIFA. 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014 . Retrieved 27 August 2015. He was under scrutiny in 2013 for possible tax evasion. His identity was also disclosed in the 2016 Panama Papers data breach. During the 2010–11 season Messi led Barcelona to La Liga and Champions League titles. He became the first player to win a third straight world player of the year award. In March 2012, at the age of 24, he scored his 233rd goal. This made him Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer in La Liga play. Messi went on to break a 39-year-old major European football league record when he finished the 2011–12 season with 73 goals in all competitions. This performance led to him being the first player to ever win a fourth world player of the year award. Messi embarked on an all-out assault on the record books in 2012. He became the first player to score five goals in a Champions League match in early March, and a few weeks later he surpassed Cesar Rodriguez's club-record 232 goals to become Barcelona's all-time leading scorer. By the end of 2012, Messi had accumulated an astounding 91 goals in club and international play, eclipsing the 85 netted in a single calendar year by Gerd Muller in 1972. Fittingly, he broke one more record when he was named the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner for the fourth time in January 2013.Messi led team Argentina to the finals of the 2014 World Cup. Although his team lost to Germany, he was named best player of the tournament. Activism and FatherhoodThe 2014 World Cup in Brazil is an opportunity for Messi to make an impact on the highest stage of them all. In the opening game against, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Messi scored a great goal to give Argentina a winning start. He scored four goals to help Argentina reach the World Cup Final. In the final, Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany. Messi was awarded ‘Golden Ball’ player of the tournament, though the decision was not universally supported. After the tournament, Messi replied: In 2010, Messi won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d’Or despite his failure at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Messi finished the 2010–2011 season as Barcelona’s all-time single-season highest scorer and the first player in Spain to pass the 50-goal benchmark. Thanks to his wonderful performance, Messi created a reputation for himself as a creator (no. 8), a scorer (no. 9) and an assistant (no. 10). He received the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or award as well as the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. Due to his numerous achievements, Messi was regarded as one of the best in the history of the game. Although he is famously quiet and private off the field, Messi has found ways to help out others in need. In 2007, he formed the Leo Messi Foundation to provide opportunities for disadvantaged youths. In early 2010, UNICEF named him a goodwill ambassador, with a focus on fighting for children's rights across the globe. Jumping to 2021 with the new coach, Lionel Scaloni, Argentina won the Copa America in June. With Dimaria's goal in the 11th minute, they beat Brazil 1-0 in their home ground. Which was one of the main reasons for Messi winning the Ballon dO'r for the record 7th time and counting. BeIN Sports: Messi habría rechazado el MVP del torneo"[BeIN Sports: Messi reportedly rejects MVP award for tournament] (in Spanish). AS.com. 5 July 2015 . Retrieved 5 July 2015.