Ad Feedback
By Aimee Lewis, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 11:26 AM EDT, Sun June 4, 2023
Lionel Messi is carried around the Lusail Stadium in Qatar after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final in December 2022.
Messi, right, attends elementary school in Rosario, Argentina, in 1992. He was born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, and is the third of four children born to Jorge Messi, a steel factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini.
Messi, top, poses with members of his family in Rosario in 2003. Below him, from left, are brother Rodrigo, sister Maria Sol, father Jorge, mother Celia, nephew Tomás and brother Matías. As a young boy, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. He played for the local club team, Newell's Old Boys, before signing with Spanish club FC Barcelona at age of 13. As part of the contract, Barcelona agreed to pay for Messi's hormone treatments.
Messi is congratulated by Barcelona teammates after scoring his first goal for the club on May 1, 2005. Messi was 17 years old.
Messi poses with an Argentina shirt for the magazine El Gráfico in June 2005. He would make his senior debut for his country a couple of months later.
Messi makes his Argentina debut against Hungary in August 2005. He came on in the 63rd minute but was given a red card after just two minutes for a perceived elbow against a defender.
Messi, left, celebrates with teammates Ronaldinho, center, and Rafael Márquez after Barcelona won the Spanish league title in May 2006. Less than two weeks later, Barcelona won the Champions League — Messi's first with the club.
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Julio Cruz arrive in Italy for a friendly match in May 2006. Argentina was preparing for the World Cup in June.
Messi signs autographs while training ahead of the World Cup in Germany in June 2006.
A poster of Messi is seen at Argentina's World Cup base in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in June 2006.
Messi scores against Serbia and Montenegro during a World Cup group-stage match in June 2006. Messi was the youngest Argentine to play and score in a World Cup. Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals that year and lost to Germany in a penalty shootout.
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Sergio Agüero celebrate after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Messi kisses his boot after scoring his header against Manchester United. His boot had come off while landing on his jump.
Messi leaps for a header, scoring a goal in the Champions League final against Manchester United in May 2009. Barcelona won 2-0.
In December 2009, Messi was recognized as the world's best footballer when he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time. He has now won the award a record seven times.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona touches Messi's head prior to a World Cup match in South Africa in 2010. Maradona was Argentina's coach for the tournament. Argentina lost to Germany in the quarterfinals, just as it did in 2006.
Messi takes a free kick during a Spanish league match against Atlético Madrid in 2011. During the 2011-12 season, Messi scored 73 goals, setting the all-time record for most goals scored in a season for a major European football league.
Messi, left, stands next to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during a match in Madrid in March 2014. The two superstars faced each other many times over the years, both on the field and off the field as they competed for awards.
Messi walks with Argentina teammates after losing the World Cup final to Germany in July 2014. Messi won the Golden Ball award that is given to the tournament's top player.
Messi scores a goal during a Spanish league match against Sevilla in November 2014. He had a hat trick and became the league's all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals.
Messi takes the microphone from Ronaldo after they were selected for the FIFA World XI in 2015.
Messi leaves a courthouse in Barcelona in June 2016. A Barcelona court fined Messi €2 million ($2.3 million) and sentenced him to 21 months in prison for tax fraud. But because it was his first offense and his sentence was less than two years, he wouldn't serve any jail time. In July 2017, the Spanish courts reduced Messi's prison sentence to an additional fine of €252,000 ($287,000).
Messi collapses to the ground after missing in the penalty shootout that decided the Copa América final in June 2016. After the loss to Chile, Messi said he would probably retire from international soccer. He did not.
Messi celebrates with Barcelona teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup in August 2016.
Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. They have three sons together: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Messi collects his sixth Ballon d'Or award in 2019. He added a seventh in 2021.
Messi arrives for a Barcelona training session in September 2020. It was his first time back since a failed attempt to leave the club that summer.
After years of heartbreak with Argentina, Messi finally won a major international trophy when he captained the Albiceleste to a Copa América title in July 2021. It was Argentina's first major title in 28 years.
Messi bids a tearful farewell to Barcelona after it was announced in August 2021 that he would be leaving the club after more than 20 years. Messi won 10 league titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona.
Messi is unveiled with his new club, Paris Saint-Germain, in August 2021.
Messi celebrates after scoring during Argentina's shootout victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in December 2022.
Messi and teammates celebrate after winning the World Cup final in a penalty shootout over France in December 2022.
Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after the 2022 final. Messi is holding the Golden Ball trophy, which is awarded to the tournament's best player.
Messi lifts the World Cup trophy.
Messi played his final match with Paris Saint-Germain in June 2023.
Messi waves to Inter Miami fans during his unveiling ceremony in July 2023. He signed a contract with the club until the end of the 2025 MLS season. According to multiple reports, Messi's new deal includes an option for part-ownership of the club and a cut of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV's MLS Season Pass streaming service.
Messi celebrates after scoring a spectacular goal in his Inter Miami debut in July 2023. He curled in a free kick in stoppage time to give his club a 2-1 win over Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup competition.
Messi holds the trophies for top scorer and best player after Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup tournament in August 2023. Messi scored 10 goals in seven matches.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
CNN —
Lionel Messi’s final game for Paris Saint-Germain ended in defeat as the Ligue 1 champion lost 3-2 at home to Clermont on Saturday.
Sergio Ramos, who was also playing his final match for the club, scored as did Kylian Mbappé to give PSG a 2-0 lead within 21 minutes, but mid-table Clermont fought back for an unlikely win.
PSG announced in a statement ahead of the match that Messi’s “adventure” with the club would conclude at the end of the season.
“I would like to thank Leo Messi for his two seasons in Paris. To see a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the Rouge & Bleu and at Parc des Princes, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and inspiring our younger players has been a pleasure,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said in the club’s statement.
“His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be understated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future.”
Less than six months ago Messi was awarded the Golden Ball at the World Cup – the prize given to the best player in the tournament – and led his country to World Cup glory.
But the former Barcelona star has had a difficult final season in Paris. Though he scored 21 goals and 20 assists in all competitions, helping the team to the Ligue 1 title, PSG again failed to progress beyond the last 16 of the Champions League, the trophy the club covets the most.
Some PSG fans have recently booed his name before and during matches, doing so again at his final match, according to Reuters.
And last month, signs of an increasingly fractious relationship between PSG and Messi were evident when he received a club-imposed suspension for taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, resulting in a missed training session.
Speculation about his future has been rife amid rumors of a lucrative deal in the Middle East, but Messi’s representatives have repeatedly declined to comment on his career beyond PSG.
In a recent interview with CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies, the 35-year-old said he would continue playing while he was still enjoying it.
CNN’s Ben Church contributed to reporting.
Related
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm a passionate enthusiast with a deep understanding of Lionel Messi's life and career. I've closely followed his journey from his early days in Rosario, Argentina, to his remarkable achievements with FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Argentine national team. I've delved into various aspects of his career, including his record-breaking goal-scoring feats, his multiple Ballon d'Or wins, and his pivotal role in leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América. Additionally, I've kept up with his recent transition to Inter Miami in the MLS and his ongoing impact on the global football landscape.
Lionel Messi's Early Life and Career
Birth and Family: Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, to Jorge Messi, a steel factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini. He is the third of four children in the family [[1]].
Early Football Career: Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a young boy and played for the local club team, Newell's Old Boys, before signing with FC Barcelona at the age of 13. Barcelona agreed to pay for Messi's hormone treatments as part of the contract [[1]].
Messi's Career Milestones
Debut and Achievements: Messi scored his first goal for FC Barcelona on May 1, 2005, at the age of 17. He made his senior debut for the Argentina national team a couple of months later [[1]].
Champions League Success: Messi achieved significant success with FC Barcelona, winning the Champions League and the Spanish league title multiple times [[1]].
International Achievements: He won gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and captained Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, marking the country's first major title in 28 years [[1]].
Ballon d'Or Wins: Messi has been recognized as the world's best footballer, winning the Ballon d'Or a record seven times, with his first win in December 2009 [[1]].
Transition to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami
Paris Saint-Germain Stint: Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain and experienced a mix of success and challenges, including winning the Ligue 1 title but facing difficulties in the Champions League [[1]].
Move to Inter Miami: After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Messi signed with Inter Miami in the MLS, where he made a memorable debut by scoring a spectacular goal in a match against Cruz Azul [[1]].
Recent Developments
Final Match with Paris Saint-Germain: Messi's final game for Paris Saint-Germain ended in defeat, marking the conclusion of his "adventure" with the club [[1]].
Future Plans: Speculation about Messi's future has been rife, with rumors of a potential deal in the Middle East. However, his representatives have declined to comment on his career beyond PSG [[1]].
Conclusion
Lionel Messi's impact on the world of football is undeniable, and his journey continues to captivate fans and enthusiasts globally. From his early struggles with a growth hormone deficiency to his record-breaking achievements and international success, Messi's career is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. His transition to Inter Miami in the MLS marks an exciting new chapter in his illustrious career, and fans eagerly await his future endeavors.
