Icons: Lionel Messi
Let's take a closer look at Lionel Messi.
The Argentian player is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever. How did his career develop? What were his best moments? Keep reading for the story of a football legend.
Quick summary
Messi has won seven Ballon d'Or awards and six European Golden Shoes. In 2020, he was named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team. Until leaving the club in 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona.
With the Spanish giants, he won a club-record 35 trophies. This included ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and four Champions Leagues. He is known for being a prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker.
Records
He holds the records for most goals in La Liga, a La Liga and European league season, most hat-tricks in La Liga and the Champions League, and most assists in La Liga, a La Liga season and the Copa América.
He also holds the record for most international goals by a South American. Messi has scored over 750 senior career goals for club and country and has the most goals by a player for a single club.
Early career at Barcelona
Messi was born and raised in central Argentina and relocated to Spain to join Barcelona at age 13. It was here where he made his competitive debut in October 2004. This is a video of his first official goal for the club.
He established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years. In his first season without interruption (2008/2009), he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football. This was the same year that Messi won his first Ballon d'Or. This campaign was a turning point for Barcelona, Messi was about to be elevated to another level.
Becoming an icon
In the 2010/2011 season, he helped Barca win another Champions League. At this point, people started the argument that he was the best player in history During the 2011–12 season, he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season. while It was in this period when he established himself as Barcelona's all-time top scorer.
During the following two campaigns, Messi finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo before regaining his best form during the 2014–15 campaign. He became the all-time top scorer in La Liga and led Barcelona to a historic second treble. He was also awarded another Ballon d'Or in 2015.
La Liga: Lionel Messi's best moments at Barcelona
Later years at Barca
Messi assumed the captaincy of Barcelona in 2018, and in 2019 he won a record sixth Ballon d'Or. However, it was around this time when problems started to arise at the club. Despite winning La Liga in 2019, many saw some ongoing issues at the club.
In the Champions League. there were shock defeats to Roma and Liverpool in the Champions League after holding comfortable first-leg leads. The lowest point for Messi and Barca came in 2020 when they lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich.
Move to PSG
After a year of disputes and eventually becoming a free agent, Messi signed for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. Messi made his debut for his new club on August 29th, coming on as a substitute in the second half in a 2–0 away win over Reims. He made his first start and UEFA Champions League debut for the club in a 1–1 away draw against Club Brugge on September 15th.
On September 28th, he finally scored his first goal for the club, it was a superb hit from the edge of the 18-yard box after playing a one-two with Kylian Mbappé, in a 2–0 Champions League win over Manchester City.
Lionel Messi’s first goal for Barcelona:
— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) September 28, 2021
May 1st, 2005 v Albacete.
Lionel Messi’s first goal for Paris Saint-Germain:
September 28th, 2021 v Man City.
Class is permanent. pic.twitter.com/fRkSk9gs4u
On November 21st, Messi scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 3–1 home victory over Nantes. The following week, he provided three assists in a game for the fifth time as PSG beat Saint-Étienne 3–1.
International career
Messi is both the highest appearance-maker and the all-time leading goalscorer for Argentina. His style of play drew comparisons with Diego Maradona. He made his senior debut in August 2005 and became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a World Cup.
As the squad's captain from August 2011, he led Argentina to three consecutive finals: the 2014 World Cup then the 2015 and 2016 Copa América.
Messi announced his international retirement in 2016 but reversed his decision and led his country to qualification for the next World Cup. There was finally some success for Messi at international level. His side won the 2021 Copa América.
The best quotes
Messi has been one of the most-talked-about his players throughout his career. Samuel Eto'o played with the Argentinian for several years at Barcelona and said: "Messi is God, as a person and even more as a player. I knew him when he was a boy, and I’ve watched him grow. He deserves it all."
Zinedine Zidane managed Messi's great rival in Real Madrid. Even the French legend speaks in glowing terms about this icon: "He is always going forwards. He never passes the ball backwards or sideways. He has only one idea, to run towards the goal."
Another Argentinian legend in Diego Maradona said: "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football, and his name is Messi." There was even a time when Messi and Maradona played together.
Brazilian Legend Cafu said: ”I’m a fan of Leo Messi. He deserves the 2021 Ballon D’or. With each passing year, he has more experience, and it’s getting even better.”
Brazilian Legend Cafu said🗣:
— 𝔸 𝔹💎 (@leoab010) December 29, 2021
🗣”I’m a fan of great Football, I’m a fan of great players. Specially I’m a fan of Leo Messi. He [messi] really deserves the 2021 Ballon D’or. With each passing year, he has more experienced and it’s getting even better.” pic.twitter.com/ARYxUCeDJ7
Did you enjoy this article? Click the link to read about more icons from the history of football.
