Biography

Lionel Andrés Messi was born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina.

His first steps in football were at the Grandoli club, when he was only 5 years old.
He then went to Newell's Old Boys where he began his sports career in 1995, playing there until the 2000
season.

At just 13 years old, Lionel went to Europe as he suffered from a hormonal disease and this treatment had
to continue outside the country.
Barcelona agreed to pay for part of the treatment in exchange for the footballer being incorporated into
the children's team.

Since then, Messi has made notable progress in the different youth categories until reaching the first
division in record time.

During the 2003-2004 season, at just 16 years old, he made his debut against FC Porto.

Serious injuries to various first team players allowed him to play as a starter.
On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player in the history of Barcelona to play a league match at just
17 years old.

In the Youth Soccer World Cup in 2005, held in the Netherlands, in addition to being proclaimed
champion with the Argentine National Team, he was also the top scorer and figure of the tournament.

In June 2005, he extended his contract with Barcelona until 2014, and the termination clause is 150
million euros.

With the senior team, he played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he scored a goal in the bulky
6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro.

World-renowned soccer player who set numerous records after making his debut for FC Barcelona during
the 2004-05 season. Renowned for his prolific goal-scoring ability and precise ball control. Winner of the
Ballon d'Or seven times, of seven FIFA awards for the best player in the world, of six Golden Boots and
two Ballons d'Or of the Soccer World Cup. With the Argentine team, he won the 2022 World Cup in
Qatar after defeating France at the Lusail stadium.