Date of birth: June 24, 1987
Instagram: @leomessi
Club(s): Barcelona
Country: Argentina
Signing fee: Academy
Considered by many one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest. The forward has racked up astonishing numbers season after glittering season. Messi averages almost a goal a game for Barca, and one in two for his country. Has lifted a plethora of trophies with Barcelona and won the Ballon d'Or six times. But the stats do not tell the full story of unmatched levels of skill, invention and dribbling ability.
Latest about Lionel Messi
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Ranked! The 100 best players of the 21st Century
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Lionel Messi's best ever goals
In a career filled with memorable moments, we take a look at the Argentine's most special strikes throughout the years...
'The GOAT' – Liverpool legend hails former Manchester United great Cristiano Ronaldo
The former Reds midfielder has admitted that the impact made by the Portuguese influenced his decision to move to Saudi Arabia
Former Manchester United goalkeeper tipped to link up with David Beckham and Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
After signing the Argentine attacker and two of his former Barcelona team-mates, the Florida side are targeting more stars
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior joins Jude Bellingham on the sidelines and will miss Tuesday's World Cup qualifier vs Argentina as Los Blancos are hit with huge injury crisis
The forward went off with a thigh problem in Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Colombia on Friday night and will now be out of action until 2024
Best football boots 2023
We review the best football boots in all shapes and sizes, so that we can bring you the definitive list of 2023's premier models from the likes of Nike, Adidas, Puma and more
Lionel Messi claims goalkeeper 'was not human' after making shock admission over best performance he's seen
Lionel Messi has scored goals against the very best goalkeepers - but a surprising netminder stands out for the Argentine
