Lionel Messi: the story on HearLore

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi was born on the 24th of June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, into a family that would eventually produce a global icon. At the age of four, he joined a local club called Abanderado Grandoli FC, where his father Jorge coached him, but his true destiny was sealed by a medical diagnosis at age ten. He suffered from a growth hormone deficiency that threatened to end his career before it began, costing his family thousands of pesos monthly for treatment that his father's insurance could not fully cover. Newell's Old Boys, his childhood club, initially agreed to help but later reneged on their promise, leaving the family to struggle financially. The turning point came when scouts from FC Barcelona offered to pay for his medical treatment, but only if the family moved to Spain. On the 14th of December 2000, Barcelona director Carles Rexach signed Messi to a contract on a paper napkin, a document that would change the history of football. The family relocated to Barcelona in February 2001, leaving his mother and siblings behind in Rosario while he stayed with his father to attend the club's youth academy, La Masia. He was so quiet and reserved as a child that some teammates initially believed he was mute, and he struggled to integrate into the team without football. His grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches, died shortly before his eleventh birthday, and he has since celebrated every goal by pointing to the sky in her memory. By age 14, he had completed his growth hormone therapy and became an integral part of the Baby Dream Team, Barcelona's greatest-ever youth side, scoring 36 goals in 30 games during his first full season. He made his first-team debut at 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, and by 17, he was already the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition. His early years were marked by a physical fragility that he overcame through sheer will and a unique playing style that would come to define a generation.

The Napkin Contract

The story of Lionel Messi's arrival in Europe is often reduced to a single image: a contract signed on a paper napkin. In 2000, Barcelona's first-team director Carles Rexach saw the 13-year-old play and immediately wanted to sign him, but the board hesitated due to his age and the unusual nature of signing a foreigner with a medical condition. The board issued an ultimatum for Barcelona to prove their commitment, and Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered a contract on a napkin. This document, signed on the 14th of December 2000, marked the beginning of a 17-year tenure that would see Messi become the most decorated player in football history. The family moved to Barcelona in February 2001, and Messi enrolled in La Masia, the club's youth academy. He was so quiet that some teammates thought he was mute, and he struggled to integrate into the team without football. His mother and siblings returned to Rosario, leaving him alone with his father in a small apartment near Camp Nou. Despite these challenges, Messi thrived, scoring 36 goals in 30 games during his first full season with the Cadetes A team. He won an unprecedented treble of the league, the Spanish cup, and the Copa Catalunya, and in the final, he wore a plastic mask after breaking his cheekbone, then took it off to score two goals in 10 minutes. This match, known as the partido de la máscara, became club lore. At 16, he made his first-team debut against José Mourinho's Porto, and by 17, he was the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition. His first professional contract, signed on the 4th of February 2004, had a buyout clause of €30 million, which automatically increased to €80 million a month later. He played five games with the B team that season but did not score, yet his progress was undeniable. He was one of several youth players called up to strengthen a depleted first team, and French winger Ludovic Giuly explained that Messi caught everyone's attention in a training session. He destroyed them all, dribbling past four players and scoring a goal. Even the team's starting centre-backs were nervous. He was an alien. Ronaldinho, Barcelona's star at the time, told his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player than himself. This friendship eased Messi's transition into the first team, and by 2005, he had scored his first senior goal against Albacete, becoming the youngest-ever scorer for the club. His early years were marked by a physical fragility that he overcame through sheer will and a unique playing style that would come to define a generation.

When and where was Lionel Messi born?

Lionel Messi was born on the 24th of June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He was born into a family that would eventually produce a global icon.

What medical condition did Lionel Messi have as a child?

Lionel Messi suffered from a growth hormone deficiency that threatened to end his career before it began. His family struggled financially to pay for treatment that his father's insurance could not fully cover.

When did Lionel Messi sign his contract with FC Barcelona?

Barcelona director Carles Rexach signed Lionel Messi to a contract on a paper napkin on the 14th of December 2000. The family relocated to Barcelona in February 2001 to join the club's youth academy, La Masia.

How many Ballon d'Or awards has Lionel Messi won?

Lionel Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards. He received his eighth award on the 30th of October 2023 after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

When did Lionel Messi join Inter Miami CF?

Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF announced the signing of Lionel Messi on the 15th of July 2023. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and became the team's captain.

When did Lionel Messi win the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina?

Lionel Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup victory in 36 years during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He scored twice in the final to defeat France and won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.

The False Nine Revolution

The 2008, 09 season marked the beginning of a new era for Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona. Under new manager Pep Guardiola, Messi was given the number 10 shirt and effectively became the tactical focal point of Guardiola's possession-based system. He scored 38 total goals, and alongside Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, contributed to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club. Messi played as a false nine for the first time in a Clásico against Real Madrid, setting up his side's first goal and scoring twice in the team's greatest-ever score at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He played his first final, winning the Copa del Rey, and Barcelona won the La Liga title and later won the Champions League, thus achieving the first treble in the history of Spanish football. During the first half of the 2009, 10 season, Barcelona also won the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first club to achieve the sextuple. Messi finished as the Champions League top scorer, the youngest in the tournament's history. For his efforts in 2009, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award. He scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions, equalling Ronaldo's club record from the 1996, 97 campaign. He finished the season as top scorer in the Champions League, and La Liga, winning his second consecutive league trophy and earned his first European Golden Shoe. After the team won the Champions League, he signed a new 7-year contract through 2016. In the 2010, 11 campaign, Messi won the Supercopa de España, Champions League, and a third consecutive La Liga title. His club performances in 2010 earned him his second consecutive Ballon d'Or. He was the top scorer in the Champions League, for the third consecutive year, and the league's top scorer and assist provider. He became Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer with 53 goals. Messi began the 2011, 12 season winning both the Spanish and European Super Cups trophies. At the close of the year, he won the FIFA Club World Cup and earned the Golden Ball for a second time. For his efforts in 2011, he received the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, and the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. During the year 2012, Messi became the second player to be top scorer in four Champions League campaigns. He became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of César Rodríguez's 232 goals with a hat-trick against Granada. He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all competitions made him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football excluding regional and local competitions. The team also won the Copa del Rey that season, their 14th trophy under Guardiola, who resigned following the season after a four-year cycle of success. The 2012, 13 season saw Messi score a record 91 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Argentina throughout 2012, surpassing Gerd Müller's record of most goals scored in a calendar year. He again won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times. He signed a new contract committing himself to the club through 2018, and wore the captain's armband for the first time in a league match against Rayo Vallecano. The team won La Liga again that year, Messi's sixth, equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. With 60 goals in all competitions, including 46 goals in La Liga, he finished the campaign as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in history to win the European Golden Shoe three times. Messi's overall input into the team's attack had increased significantly. Whereas he contributed to 24% of the team's goals in their treble-winning campaign in 2008, 09, this number rose to more than 40% by the end of the 2012, 13 season. These statistics, as well as lopsided losses in the Champions League where Messi was unfit, gave credence to the notion of Messidependencia, Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological dependence on their star player. To offset the load on Messi, Barcelona signed Brazilian forward Neymar from Santos before the 2013, 14 season. The team won the Supercopa de España at the beginning of the season. Messi finished the campaign with his worst output in five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals in all competitions. For the first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season without a major trophy.

The MSN Trinity

The 2014, 15 season marked the arrival of Luis Enrique as Barcelona's coach and the birth of the MSN trio, consisting of Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar. Luis Enrique's system featured quick transitions from defence to attack, led by the front three of Messi, Suárez and Neymar. The attacking trio, which colloquially became known as 'MSN', broke goalscoring records. A hat-trick scored against Sevilla earlier in the season also made him the all-time top scorer in La Liga, as he surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra. After securing the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League that year, Messi helped Barcelona become the first club to win the continental treble twice. He recorded 58 goals, but combined with Neymar and Suárez, the attacking trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish football. Messi opened the 2015, 16 season by helping Barcelona's win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. Messi capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup final over River Plate in Yokohama, collecting his fifth club trophy of the calendar year. On the 11th of January 2016, Messi won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time in his career. He ended the season by winning La Liga as well as the Copa del Rey again. In total, Messi scored 41 goals, and Barcelona's attacking trio of him, Neymar and Suárez managed a Spanish record of 131 combined goals throughout the season, breaking the record they had set the previous season. The 2016, 17 season ended with Messi winning the Supercopa de España and the Copa del Rey. He finished the season with 54 goals, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the Pichichi and European Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career. Messi, Neymar and Suárez combined for 110 goals by season's end. Neymar departed for Paris Saint Germain the next year, leaving the attacking trio with a combined total of 363 goals over the course of three seasons. Luis Enrique also left Barcelona at the end of the season after managing the club to a total of nine trophies during his three-year tenure. The 2017, 18 season saw Messi achieving the domestic double, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey once again. He once again finished the season as the top scorer in La Liga, with 34 goals, which also saw him win his fifth European Golden Shoe award. With the departure of former captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the team's new captain for the 2018, 19 season. He lifted his first trophy as Barcelona's captain, the Supercopa de España, following a 2, 1 victory over Sevilla. He helped Barcelona clinch the La Liga title, his tenth but first as captain. With 36 goals in 34 appearances that season, he won his sixth league Golden Boot trophy, equalling Zarra as the player with the most top-scorer awards in La Liga. He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 2016, 17 season. Messi won his sixth Ballon d'Or, but the subsequent 2019, 20 season saw Barcelona go trophyless for the first time since 2007, 08. Following a disappointing season, Barcelona announced that Messi sent the club a document expressing his desire to leave, but Messi ultimately decided to fulfill the final year of his contract. The 2020, 21 season saw Messi surpass Xavi's record to reach a club record of 768 appearances. He led the club to victory in the 2021 Copa del Rey final. His last two seasons with Barcelona saw him lead La Liga in goal scoring, giving him a record-breaking total of eight Pichichi trophies. Messi became a free agent after his contract expired, with negotiations on a new deal complicated due to Barcelona's financial issues. Barcelona eventually announced that Messi would not stay at the club, citing financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi's departure. In a tearful press conference held at the Camp Nou, Messi confirmed that he would leave Barcelona.

The Parisian Interlude

On the 10th of August 2021, Messi joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, reuniting him with Neymar, for the 2021, 22 season on a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year. Messi chose 30 as his squad number, the same he wore as a teenager when he made his senior debut for Barcelona. He made his debut with the club against Reims, made his first start and Champions League debut for the club against Club Brugge, and made his home debut in a match against Lyon. He scored his first goal for the club in a Champions League group stage win over former manager Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Having scored 40 goals at club and international level for the calendar year in addition to captaining Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, Messi received a record seventh Ballon d'Or. He finished his debut season with PSG with 11 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, helping the club win their 10th Ligue 1 title. Beginning the 2022, 23 season, Messi won his second trophy with PSG in the Trophée des Champions. A goal against Nice resulted in him surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time highest goalscorer in European club football with 702 goals; during the match, he also achieved 1,000 career direct goal contributions at club level. By the end of the season, he had 21 goals across all competitors and the highest number of assists in the league with 16, which helped PSG clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title and his second in a row. Following the last game of the season, manager Christophe Galtier confirmed that it would be Messi's last for PSG, with the club confirming his departure two days later. The move to Paris was a significant chapter in Messi's career, but it was not the end of his journey. He had already achieved numerous accolades, including seven Ballon d'Or awards, and had led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América. His time at PSG was marked by his ability to adapt to a new league and his continued dominance in terms of goals and assists. He helped the club win two Ligue 1 titles and set several records, including the most assists in a single season. However, the club's decision to let him leave after two seasons marked the end of his European career and set the stage for his next chapter in Major League Soccer.

The American Revolution

Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF announced the signing of Messi on a two-and-a-half-year contract on the 15th of July 2023. Messi's arrival in the US was praised as a revelation, on and off the pitch, and his presence was credited for helping to raise the profile of MLS within the US and abroad. According to Goal, every game that he graces sparks a scramble for tickets, with plenty of A-list guests eager to watch him in action. The frenzy over his arrival was dubbed Messimania, and Inter Miami's No. 10 Messi jersey became the best-selling jersey in the league, and nearly the world. Messi made his 2023 debut for the club in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, scoring with a free-kick in stoppage time for a victory. DeAndre Yedlin, the previous captain of Inter Miami, gave his armband to Messi, who took over as team captain. After scoring nine goals in his first six games for Miami, Messi led the team to the club's first-ever trophy, as it won the Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC. Messi made his MLS debut against the New York Red Bulls. Miami missed the playoffs, finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference, having gone winless in their last seven games. On the 30th of October 2023, following his World Cup win with Argentina and Ligue 1 trophy with PSG, Messi was awarded a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or. He was also named Time Athlete of the Year, the first footballer ever to win the award. During the 2024 season, Messi broke the record for the most assists in a single MLS game with five assists, and broke the record for the most goal contributions in an MLS game with six, in a 6, 2 win over the New York Red Bulls. On the 2nd of October, Messi scored a brace in a 3, 2 win over the Columbus Crew, clinching the Supporters' Shield. In the final game of the regular season on the 19th of October against the New England Revolution, Messi scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 6, 2 victory. Inter Miami's victory over the Revolution also allowed the club to finish with 74 points throughout the regular season, a league record for MLS. He finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches. In doing so, he became Inter Miami's all-time top goalscorer. Miami made its first postseason appearance in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs but were eliminated in the first round after losing two games against Atlanta United. Messi had his first postseason goal in the third game, a 3, 2 loss. He was named the MLS Most Valuable Player following the conclusion of the regular season. During the 2025 season, Messi became the fastest player to reach 40 goals in league history. He ended the season winning the MLS Golden Boot as the league's top scorer, with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games. On the 23rd of October, Messi signed a three-year contract extension with the club through 2028, by which time he would be 41-years-old. During the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC in the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, an assist from Messi to Mateo Silvetti put his career total across all competitions at 405, surpassing Ferenc Puskás for the most career assists of all time. Messi led Miami to MLS Cup 2025, where they won 3, 1 over the Vancouver Whitecaps to win the team's first league championship. Providing two assists during the match, Messi was named MLS Cup MVP. At the end of the season, Messi was again named MLS MVP, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back years. His arrival in the US marked a new chapter in his career, one that saw him continue to break records and lead his team to success. He became a global icon in a new market, and his impact on MLS was undeniable.

The National Redemption

As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi was eligible to play for the national team of both countries. He debuted for Argentina in 2004 for Argentina's U20 team against Paraguay, and was subsequently included in the squad for the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, where they finished third. Messi then led the team to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, his first success with Argentina. Finishing the tournament with six goals and two assists, he also won the Golden Ball. He made his debut with the senior national team in 2005, at age 18, coming off the bench in a friendly against Hungary. Messi had his first start in 2006 against Peru, and scored his first international goal in a friendly against Croatia. His World Cup debut came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a substitute in the 74th minute against Serbia and Montenegro, assisting one goal and scoring the final one in their victory. This made him the youngest player to represent and score for Argentina in the World Cup. He represented Argentina again for the 2007 Copa América, where they ultimately lost in the final. Messi was named the best young player of the tournament, having scored two goals and provided one assist. The 2008 Summer Olympics marked another major achievement with his country, as he led Argentina's U23 team to claim the Olympic gold medal over Nigeria. Messi registered two goals and three assists throughout, and was singled out by FIFA as the stand-out player from the tournament's best team. With the international retirement of Juan Román Riquelme, Messi was given Argentina's number 10 shirt. During a 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Greece, where a majority of the starters rested due to a secured place in the knockout rounds, Messi wore the captain's armband for the first time. Argentina were ultimately eliminated in the quarter-final against Germany, but Messi was identified as one of the tournament's 10 best players due to his pace and creativity, despite failing to register a single goal and only having one assist. Ahead of the 2011 Copa América, Argentina began building their team around Messi. However, Messi was again goalless during the tournament but had three assists. The team ultimately lost to Uruguay on penalties during the quarter-final. With the international retirement of Juan Román Riquelme, Messi was given Argentina's number 10 shirt. During a 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Greece, where a majority of the starters rested due to a secured place in the knockout rounds, Messi wore the captain's armband for the first time. Argentina were ultimately eliminated in the quarter-final against Germany, but Messi was identified as one of the tournament's 10 best players due to his pace and creativity, despite failing to register a single goal and only having one assist. Ahead of the 2011 Copa América, Argentina began building their team around Messi. However, Messi was again goalless during the tournament but had three assists. The team ultimately lost to Uruguay on penalties during the quarter-final. The next several years saw many frustrations for Messi due to his inability to lead Argentina to win an international trophy. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Messi and Argentina lost to Germany in the final, though Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament regardless due to his overall performance with four goals and an assist. Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the 2015 Copa América final the next year. At the close of the tournament, Messi was reportedly selected to receive the Golden Ball award, having scored one goal and provided three assists, but he rejected the honour. In the 2016 Copa América Centenario semi-final against the United States, a goal from Messi put him ahead of Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches. However, Argentina again fell to Chile on penalties in the final. Messi had five goals and four assists throughout the tournament. Losing three consecutive finals in three consecutive years caused Messi to retire from international football, but a nationwide campaign in Argentina helped convince him to reverse his decision. He returned to the national team to lead them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Argentina were in jeopardy of missing the tournament on the last game of the qualifiers against Ecuador, but a hat-trick from Messi dramatically secured their entry. They went on to lose to France in the round of 16 during the World Cup, with Messi having one goal and two assists in the tournament. The next year, Messi again represented Argentina in the 2019 Copa América, where he registered only a single goal and assist. They lost to hosts Brazil in the semi-final but ended with a third-place finish after defeating Chile. Despite not winning the tournament, this victory marked the beginning of a 36-game unbeaten streak for Argentina that lasted for more than three years. Messi finally ended Argentina's 28-year trophy drought in the 2021 Copa América, as they had not won an international tournament since 1993. During a group stage match against Bolivia, he surpassed Javier Mascherano to become Argentina's most-capped player. Argentina defeated Brazil in the final, and Messi was named the player of the tournament having been directly involved in nine out of the 12 goals scored by Argentina, scoring four of them and assisting five. He captained Argentina to win another international trophy in the 2022 Finalissima against UEFA Euro 2020 winners Italy, where he was named player of the match after providing two assists. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup victory in 36 years, scoring twice in the final to defeat France. Having scored seven goals and assisted three during the tournament, Messi again won the Golden Ball, becoming the first player to win it twice. His appearance in the final also set new records for the most appearances (26) and direct goal contributions (21 , 13 goals and 8 assists) at the World Cup. A hat-trick in a 2023 friendly against Curaçao saw Messi reach 100 international goals, the third player and the first South American in history to achieve this milestone, and a brace against Peru later that year resulted in Messi becoming the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. During the 2024 Copa América semi-final against Canada, Messi scored his first and only goal of the tournament which also made him the second-highest international goalscorer of all time. Argentina eventually won the final against Colombia for their second consecutive Copa América title, with Messi contributing one goal and one assist overall while also setting a new record for most appearances (39) at Copa América. His start against Venezuela in 2025 saw him tie the record set by Iván Hurtado for most appearances in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification matches (72), and the two assists he provided in a friendly against Puerto Rico later that year resulted in him reaching 60 in total, making him the top assist-provider in men's international football history.