Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (Spanish: ⓘ; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, Messi has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballon d'Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and eight times being named the world's best player by FIFA. In 2025, he was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS. He is the most decorated player in the history of professional football having won 45 team trophies. Messi's records include most goals in a calendar year (91), most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona), most goals in La Liga (474), most assists in international football (60), most goal contributions in the FIFA World Cup (21), and most goal contributions in the Copa América (32). A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi has scored over 890 senior career goals and provided over 390 assists for club and country—the most of any player—resulting in over 1,290 goal contributions, the highest total in the sport's history.
Messi made his competitive debut for Barcelona at age 17 in October 2004. He gradually established himself as an integral player for the club, and during his first uninterrupted season at age 22 in 2008–09 he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football. This resulted in Messi winning the first of four consecutive Ballon d'Ors, and by the 2011–12 season he set the European record for most goals in a season and established himself as Barcelona's all-time top scorer. During the 2014–15 campaign, where he became the all-time top scorer in La Liga, he led Barcelona to a historic second treble, leading to a fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015. He assumed Barcelona's captaincy in 2018 and won a record sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. At Barcelona, Messi won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, among others. Financial difficulties at Barcelona led to Messi signing with French club Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, where he won the Ligue 1 title during both of his seasons there. He joined MLS club Inter Miami in July 2023.
Biography
Career History
Honours
American MLS Cup
2025
Inter Miami
American MLS Golden Boot
2025
Inter Miami
American MLS MVP
2024
Inter Miami
American MLS Supporters Shield
2024
Inter Miami
Bravo Award
2007
Barcelona
CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions
2022
Argentina
Copa America
2021
Argentina
Copa America
2024
Argentina
European Golden Shoe
2018-2019
Barcelona
European Golden Shoe
2017-2018
Barcelona
European Golden Shoe
2016-2017
Barcelona
European Golden Shoe
2009-2010
Barcelona
European Golden Shoe
2011-2012
Barcelona
European Golden Shoe
2012-2013
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2009
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2010
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2015
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2011
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2012
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2019
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2021
Paris SG
FIFA Ballon d Or
2020
Barcelona
FIFA Ballon d Or
2023
Inter Miami
FIFA Club World Cup
2009
Barcelona
FIFA Club World Cup
2011
Barcelona
FIFA Club World Cup
2015
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2007
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2008
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2009
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2010
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2011
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2012
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2013
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2014
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2015
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2016
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2017
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2018
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2019
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2020
Barcelona
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2021
Paris SG
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2022
Paris SG
FIFA FIFPro World XI
2023
Inter Miami
FIFA Golden Ball
2022
Argentina
FIFA Golden Ball
2014
Argentina
FIFA The Best
2009
Barcelona
FIFA The Best
2019
Barcelona
FIFA The Best
2022
Paris SG
FIFA The Best
2023
Inter Miami
FIFA U20 World Cup
2005
Argentina U20
FIFA World Cup
2022
Argentina
French Ligue 1
2021-2022
Paris SG
French Ligue 1
2022-2023
Paris SG
French Trophée des Champions
2022
Paris SG
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
2020
Barcelona
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
2023
Paris SG
Leagues Cup
2023
Inter Miami
Onze d Or
2017-2018
Barcelona
Onze d Or
2011-2012
Barcelona
Onze d Or
2010-2011
Barcelona
Onze d Or
2009
Barcelona
Soccer Olympics Gold
2008
Argentina U23
Spanish Copa del Rey
2008-2009
Barcelona
Spanish Copa del Rey
2011-2012
Barcelona
Spanish Copa del Rey
2014-2015
Barcelona
Spanish Copa del Rey
2015-2016
Barcelona
Spanish Copa del Rey
2016-2017
Barcelona
Spanish Copa del Rey
2017-2018
Barcelona
Spanish Copa del Rey
2020-2021
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2004-2005
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2005-2006
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2008-2009
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2009-2010
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2010-2011
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2012-2013
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2014-2015
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2015-2016
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2017-2018
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
2018-2019
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2008-2009
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2009-2010
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2010-2011
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2011-2012
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2012-2013
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2014-2015
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2016-2017
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2017-2018
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Player of the Season
2018-2019
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Team of the Season
2015-2016
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Team of the Season
2014-2015
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Team of the Season
2020-2021
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Team of the Season
2019-2020
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Team of the Season
2018-2019
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2019-2020
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2018-2019
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2017-2018
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2016-2017
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2012-2013
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2011-2012
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2008-2009
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi
2020-2021
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2005
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2006
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2009
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2010
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2011
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2013
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2016
Barcelona
Spanish Supercopa de Espana
2018
Barcelona
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award
2008-2009
Barcelona
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award
2010-2011
Barcelona
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award
2014-2015
Barcelona
UEFA Champions League
2005-2006
Barcelona
UEFA Champions League
2008-2009
Barcelona
UEFA Champions League
2010-2011
Barcelona
UEFA Champions League
2014-2015
Barcelona
UEFA Super Cup
2009
Barcelona
UEFA Super Cup
2011
Barcelona
UEFA Super Cup
2015
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2016
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2015
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2014
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2012
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2011
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2010
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2009
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2008
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2017
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2018
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2019
Barcelona
UEFA Team of the Year
2020
Barcelona