Lionel Messi Today: Key Facts About His Career

Lionel Messi, the Argentine genius who revolutionized world football, continues to enchant fans with his incomparable magic on the field. 

Have you ever wondered how a boy who needed hormone treatment became the greatest in history? This star’s journey transcends numbers and trophies, transforming him into a global icon who inspires millions. 

His extraordinary vision, bewildering dribbling skills, and precise finishing make Messi a unique phenomenon. Follow this fascinating story from Rosario to Miami, discovering why he remains an absolute reference for players and fans across all continents, even after two decades at the top.

1. Who is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Andrés Messi is an Argentine footballer born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, considered by experts and fans to be the greatest player of all time. 

Playing primarily as a right-sided or central forward, Messi stands out for his extraordinary left-foot ability and unparalleled tactical intelligence. 

His short stature (5’7″) has become a competitive advantage, providing a low center of gravity and impressive agility in his dribbling.

According to FIFA data, Messi revolutionized the concept of the “false 9” during his time at Barcelona, creating a unique style that combines finishing, playmaking, and exceptional peripheral vision. 

His ability to decide important matches and maintain consistency for almost two decades puts him on a unique level in world sport. 

He has transcended football to become a symbol of technical excellence, personal achievement, and professional longevity, inspiring generations of young athletes across all continents.

2. Childhood and Early Football Career

Messi’s childhood in Rosario was marked by an early passion for football and significant challenges that shaped his character. 

At age 4, he started at the Grandoli club, where his father Jorge coached youth teams. At 6, he joined the youth academy of Newell’s Old Boys, a club he deeply admired. 

The young Leo faced a devastating diagnosis at age 10: growth hormone deficiency, a condition requiring costly and prolonged treatment.

This adversity would completely transform his path when Barcelona, after an impressive technical evaluation, offered a contract that included the necessary medical treatment. 

According to the Leo Messi Foundation, in 2000, the family moved to Spain, where the youngster joined the famous La Masia academy. In Barcelona’s youth teams, Messi scored an impressive 234 goals in 176 games, numbers that already indicated the emergence of an extraordinary talent. 

His initial adaptation was challenging, but his determination and family support were crucial in overcoming homesickness and cultural challenges in his new European reality.

3. Rise at Barcelona

Messi’s rise at Barcelona represents one of the greatest success stories in world sport, with 17 seasons full of unforgettable moments and impressive records. 

His official debut for the first team came in October 2004, at just 17 years old, after impressing coach Frank Rijkaard in training. 

The Argentine quickly established himself as a fundamental piece in the Blaugrana tactical scheme, forming historic partnerships with Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Iniesta.

During his era at Camp Nou, Messi won an impressive 35 titles, including 10 La Ligas and 4 Champions Leagues, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 matches, according to official FC Barcelona data.

Under Pep Guardiola’s leadership between 2008 and 2012, the Argentine reached his technical peak, revolutionizing his position as a “false 9” and leading the team considered by many experts to be the best in football history. His 2011/12 season was particularly extraordinary, with 73 goals in all competitions, establishing a world record that remains unbeaten to this day.

4. Lionel Messi with the Argentina National Team

Messi’s journey with the Albiceleste shirt was marked by ups and downs until his definitive consecration as leader and world champion. 

He made his debut for the senior team in 2005, at 18, after winning the U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. His international journey included five World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), reaching the runner-up position in 2014 and ultimate glory in 2022 in Qatar.

According to official AFA statistics, Messi is the all-time top scorer for the national team with over 108 goals in over 180 appearances (as of mid-2024, numbers continue to grow), surpassing the legendary Gabriel Batistuta. 

His relationship with Argentina was complex for years, facing criticism for the absence of titles. Everything changed in 2021, when he finally won his first trophy with the senior team: the Copa América, defeating Brazil at the Maracanã. 

The definitive consecration came in December 2022, when he lifted the World Cup trophy, being elected the best player of the tournament with 7 goals and 3 assists in 7 games, including two in the historic final against France.

5. Transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

Messi’s surprising transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 shook the football world and marked the end of an era at Barcelona. 

After the Catalan club’s financial problems made it impossible to renew his contract due to La Liga’s Financial Fair Play restrictions, the Argentine left the club of his life in an emotional farewell press conference that moved fans globally.

At PSG, Messi formed a stellar offensive trio with Neymar and Mbappé, generating unprecedented expectations. His time at the French club lasted two seasons, during which he won two Ligue 1 titles and one French Super Cup. 

According to official Paris Saint-Germain data, he recorded 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 games, respectable numbers but below his historical standards.

 Adapting to the new playing style and life in Paris brought significant challenges for the Argentine, especially in Champions League campaigns, where the club failed to achieve the main goal of winning the European title despite massive investment in international stars.

6. Lionel Messi’s Career Statistics

Messi’s career statistics reveal numbers that seem straight out of video games, establishing almost unattainable standards in professional football. 

As of April 2025, according to data compiled by Transfermarkt and other reliable sources, the Argentine has accumulated more than 800 official goals for clubs and national team, with an impressive average of over 0.8 goals per match over two decades.

Messi is also one of the greatest assists in history, with more than 350 documented goal passes, demonstrating his exceptional game vision. 

He is the only player to score in all possible competitions, including the record of 91 goals in a single calendar year (2012). The Argentine holds the record for most goals in a single European season (73) and most goals in La Liga (474). 

His numbers include 8 hat-tricks in the Champions League and 36 in the Spanish Championship, in addition to being the player with the most direct goal involvements in the history of the five main European leagues. 

In terms of collective titles, there are more than 40 trophies, making him one of the most decorated athletes in the history of world sport.

7. Awards and Recognitions

Messi has accumulated an impressive amount of individual recognition throughout his career, establishing records that will hardly be surpassed. His record of eight Ballons d’Or, as documented by France Football, is unmatched in world football, highlighting his extraordinary consistency for more than a decade at the top of the sport.

The Argentine was also elected to the FIFA/FIFPro Team of the Year 17 times in total, another absolute record that demonstrates his longevity at the highest level. 

Besides the listed awards, Messi received the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020 and 2023, transcending football and being recognized among the greatest athletes on the planet in all modalities. 

He is the only player to win six Golden Boots as top scorer in European leagues, consolidating his reputation as one of the greatest finishers in the history of the sport.

8. Interesting Facts About Lionel Messi

Messi holds fascinating curiosities beyond his brilliant career on the field, revealing less-known facets of his personality and trajectory. 

Few know that he suffered from hormonal deficiency in childhood, needing daily injections in his legs to grow properly, treatment that cost his family approximately $900 monthly before Barcelona’s support.

According to UNICEF, where he has served as an ambassador since 2010, Messi actively participates in campaigns for children’s rights and has helped raise millions for humanitarian causes.

The Argentine is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart from Rosario, with whom he has three children: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. His Leo Messi Foundation has already benefited more than 700,000 vulnerable children in various countries, focusing on education and health.

Interestingly, he has a tattoo of his firstborn son’s hand and another with the number 10, and is known for his almost unchanging pre-game routine, which always includes the same meal.

 According to former teammates in interviews with The Players’ Tribune, Messi rarely watches football on television and prefers video games in his free time, maintaining a discreet profile despite his global fame.

9. Global Impact and Legacy

Messi’s impact transcends borders and generations, redefining what it means to be a global sports icon in the 21st century. 

His unique playing style has inspired millions of young people to play football, creating what sports marketing experts call the “Messi Effect” in football academies around the world.

Economically, his influence is measurable and impressive: according to a study by the University of Barcelona, Messi generated more than €130 million annually in tourism revenue for the Catalan city during his stay, in addition to significantly boosting Barcelona’s brand value globally. 

Culturally, the Argentine has broken barriers, being recognized both by football fans and people with no interest in the sport.

His legacy includes revolutionizing tactical positions, with coaches at all levels adapting systems to accommodate players with similar characteristics. 

The unique combination of technical genius with exemplary conduct on and off the field has established a standard of excellence and longevity that will serve as a reference for future generations, proving that physical size is no impediment to achieving greatness in the world’s most popular sport.

10. Where is Lionel Messi Playing Today?

Currently, Messi plays for Inter Miami CF, a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in the United States, where he arrived in July 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. His transfer to North American football represented a historic milestone for the development of the sport in the country, generating an unprecedented impact on the league’s popularity and visibility.

According to official MLS data, Messi’s arrival caused a 300% increase in the average ticket price and an explosion in shirt sales, with Inter Miami’s pink uniform becoming one of the best-selling globally. 

At the club, he plays under the command of his former Barcelona teammate, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, and plays alongside other ex-Barcelona players like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Messi won his first title with the club in 2023: the Leagues Cup, a tournament contested between MLS teams and Mexico’s Liga MX, being elected the best player of the competition.

 Even at 36 (as of early 2024), he maintains impressive numbers, with an average of more than one goal per game in his first matches for the club. In interviews with The Athletic, the Argentine declared he is “happy with the new challenge and adapted to life in Miami,” where he plans to end his professional career in the coming years, contributing to the growth of football in the United States.

11. Frequently Asked Questions About Lionel Messi

How old is Lionel Messi now?

Messi is 37 years old, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, according to official FIFA records. (Corrected for April 2025)

What is Messi’s height and weight?

He is 5’7″ (1.70m) tall and weighs approximately 159 lbs (72kg), according to official Inter Miami data, demonstrating that physical size does not determine success in modern football.

How many goals has Messi scored in his career?

Messi has surpassed the mark of 800 official goals, combining clubs and the Argentine national team, according to statistics verified by IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics). (Note: As of April 2025, this number is closer to 850 goals).

How many World Cups has Messi won?

Messi won one World Cup, in 2022 in Qatar, after four previous participations (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018), completing his collection of important trophies.

What is Lionel Messi’s current salary?

According to Forbes reports, Messi receives approximately US$54 million annually at Inter Miami, combining base salary and commercial agreements linked to the contract.

Does Messi still play for the Argentina national team?

Yes, Messi continues to play for Argentina and competed in the 2024 Copa América in the United States, as confirmed by coach Lionel Scaloni in interviews with TyC Sports. 

What number does Messi wear at Inter Miami?

Messi wears the number 10 shirt at Inter Miami, the same iconic number he wore at Barcelona, PSG, and the Argentine national team for most of his career.

How many Ballons d’Or has Messi won?

Messi has won eight Ballons d’Or (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023), an absolute record in the history of the award, according to France Football, the organizer of the award.