On June 24, 1987, in the city of Rosario, Argentina, a baby was born. No one could have imagined that this little one would grow up to leave an indelible mark on world football, becoming an icon recognized in every corner of the globe. But this child, born in Rosario, would soon catch the world’s attention with his extraordinary talent and swiftly rise to the pinnacle of football greatness…
Wonder Kid!
Born to a steelworker father and a cleaning lady mother, Messi was a child who drew attention with his interest and talent in football from a very young age. At just 5 years old, he joined Grandoli, a neighborhood team where his father worked. Soon after, he moved to Newell’s Old Boys, one of Argentina’s well-known clubs. Playing in their youth system, Messi faced a significant challenge at 11 when he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. These were tough times for his family, but Newell’s Old Boys stepped in to cover the treatment costs, easing their burden slightly. Little did anyone know, destiny was about to take a dramatic turn for this young prodigy…
Scouts from Barcelona spotted Messi and were determined to bring him to Spain and integrate him into Barcelona’s youth academy. At just 13 years old, Messi joined Barca’s youth team, initially struggling in this unfamiliar land. Yet, Messi was born for football. His love for the game helped him overcome every obstacle, rapidly honing his skills. Just three years later, at 16, Frank Rijkaard brought him into Barcelona’s first team. On November 16, 2003, Messi made his official debut, and the world began to hear the footsteps of a legend…
From 2003 to today, Messi has left an indelible mark on world football, shattering records and redefining greatness. After the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Messi proved he is no less than the football legend Maradona. He led Argentina to victory in both the Copa America and the World Cup, achieving feats that seemed unattainable. Messi became the youngest and oldest player to score and assist in World Cup history since 1966. Let’s take a closer look at the other incredible records held by Messi…
The Wonder Kid's Unbreakable Records
When it comes to football’s great rivalries, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s battle for the Ballon d’Or has been a hot topic for years. And in this heated contest, Messi stands tall, holding the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins in history. He clinched the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021, taking the golden trophy home seven times. Not just that, Messi also holds the record for winning the Ballon d’Or four years in a row, setting the bar sky-high.
A player who seems to have a direct impact on almost every match, Messi is La Liga’s all-time top scorer with an astounding 474 goals. He’s also the highest goal scorer for a single European club, netting 672 goals in his time with Barcelona.
Messi holds another unique La Liga record, scoring in 21 consecutive matches.
If Messi ever decided to display all his trophies, medals, and cups, he’d need a museum of his own. Over his career, he’s racked up numerous awards, including the Golden Foot award three times (2011, 2012, and 2015), setting yet another record. He’s also been the FIFA Club World Cup top scorer three times (2011, 2015, and 2021).
One of Messi’s mind-boggling records includes scoring 37 hat-tricks in La Liga. He surpassed Gabriel Batistuta to become Argentina’s top World Cup scorer with his 13th goal and overtook Pele to hold the record for the most World Cup goals by an Argentinian.
Messi joined an elite group of players by appearing in five World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), and he became the first player to assist in five different World Cups.
He’s also the record-holder for most World Cup appearances, playing in 26 matches, and with 2314 minutes on the pitch, he surpassed Paolo Maldini’s record. Messi became the first player to score in every stage of a World Cup tournament.
During his time with Barcelona, Messi won 35 trophies, making him the most decorated player in the club’s history. This also makes him the player with the most trophies won at a single club. With 672 goals, Messi is Barcelona’s top scorer, and his 305 assists also make him the club’s highest assist provider.
Messi is also the top assist provider in football history with 361 assists, including 51 with the Argentina national team. And he’s still adding to his tally in a PSG jersey…
In La Liga, Messi dished out 217 assists, the most in the league’s history. He also holds the record for most wins in La Liga, with 378 victories, and the record for most free-kick goals in the league, with 36.
Messi has won the Pichichi Trophy eight times, the award given to La Liga’s top scorer, more than any other player. His 50 goals in the 2011-2012 season remain unmatched, as do his eight hat-tricks in a single season, another La Liga record.
Messi is the top scorer in El Clasico history, having scored 27 goals against Real Madrid.
These records aren’t just numbers; they’re testaments to the magic Messi brings to the pitch every single time.
The Record Man: Lionel Messi
Reading through the endless records Lionel Messi has shattered throughout his career, you can’t help but wonder how one player could cram so much success into a single footballing life. For many, Messi has ended the age-old debate: Pele or Maradona? His fierce rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo has been a spectacle, a duel that all football fans feel privileged to witness. Both have etched their names into history as the best to ever play the game.
Yet, there’s a reality we can’t ignore. While Ronaldo’s recent years haven’t quite lived up to his previous heights, Messi continues to chase new records with his signature magic. As we move forward, let’s savor every moment of watching these titans play in their twilight years.
Messi is the record man, and the whole world knows that when that inevitable day comes – his final official match – millions of fans will shed tears, marking the end of an era. So, let’s cherish every second of Messi and Ronaldo while we still can, knowing that such football greatness is rare and fleeting.
